Even more of my favorites, courtesy Life's Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Same format as before: Ones I need to work on, remind myself of, or just plain like are bolded; my stream of consciousness as I read through Brown's exhaustive list is denoted in minuscule italics.
201. Never underestimate the power of words to heal and reconcile relationships.
202. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time. Make it a positive and constructive one.
203. Become someone's hero.
204. Marry only for love.
205. Call your mother. If not everyday, every week.
206. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
207. Accept a breath mint if someone offers you one. Also, brush your teeth every chance you get..
208. When you feel terrific, notify your face.
209. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
210. When reconvening after a conference break, choose a chair in a different part of the room.
211. Use your past successes as a trampoline, not an easy chair.
212. Volunteer. Sometimes the jobs no one wants conceal big opportunities.
213. Carry Handi-Wipes in your glove compartment.
214. Never be the first to break a family tradition, & never be afraid to start new ones.
215. Park next to the end curb in parking lots. Your car doors will have half the chance of getting dented. Duly noted.
216. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling... unless, of course, it's fair name calling.
217. Never take the last piece of fried chicken. If possible, never eat fried chicken. Who am I kidding.. IMPOSSIBLE.
218. When you know someone has gone to a lot of trouble to get really dressed up, always tell them "You look terrific." even if they don't?
219. Eat a piece of chocolate to cure bad breath from onions or garlic. Just what I need, another excuse to eat chocolate. Does this null #207? Chocolate >>> BreathMints.
220. Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.
221. Learn the rules. Then break some. ..only the ones you can get away with..
222. Remember that everyone is influenced by kindness.
223. Encourage anyone who is trying to improve mentally, physically, or spiritually.
224. Remember that half the joy of achievement is in the anticipation.
225. Go to rodeos. Done.
226. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
227. Fool someone on April 1st. Darn, missed it this year.
228. Never be ashamed of honest tears.
229. When you get really angry, stick your hands in your pockets rather than in someone's face.
230. Accept the fact that regardless of how many times you are right, you will sometimes be wrong.
231. Every once in a while ask yourself the question, “If money weren't a consideration, what would I like to be doing?”
232. Talk slow but think quick. How about: talk never but think always?
233. Don't admire people for their wealth but for the creative and generous ways they put it to use. Follow their examples, substituting in your time in lieu of your nonexistent wealth.
234. Take along two big safety pins when you travel so that you can pin the drapes shut in your motel room. This is some priceless advice.
235. Never leave the kitchen when something's boiling on the stove.. unless you're in your arch-enemy's kitchen, & you want to burn it down.
236. Make the punishment fit the crime.
237. Remember that just the moment you say, "I give up," someone else seeing the same situation is saying, "My, what a great opportunity." Ergo, never give up.
238. Don't let your family get so busy that you don't sit down to at least one meal a day together. How about once every other day?
239. Remember the three Rs: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
240. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
241. Don't overlook life's small joys while searching for the big ones.
242. Keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in your car and at home. SO many things I need for my car!
243. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship, & don't let a massive dispute slide in any social interaction. Stand up for yourself & others.
244. For peace of mind, make decisions in concert with your values. A life devoid of values & principles is a duplicitous one. Hold fast to your morals.
245. Don't be surprised to discover that luck favors those who are prepared.
246. When asked to play the piano, do it without complaining or making excuses. Read: practice playing the piano.
247. Take off the convention badge as soon as you leave the convention hall. You don't want potential ruffians & thugs getting on a first name basis with you, do you?
248. Carry a small pocket knife. Never know when you'll need it for spontaneous whittling sessions or self defense...
249. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
250. When you have the choice of two exciting things, choose the one you haven't tried. Unless going to Disney is one of them.
251. Remember that no time is ever wasted that makes two people better friends.
252. There are people who will always come up with reasons why you can't do what you want to do. Ignore them.
253. Check to see if your regular car insurance covers you when you rent a car. The insurance offered by car rental companies is expensive. Done.
254. Never say anything uncomplimentary about another person's dog. Who does that? All dogs are adorable.. unless they're vicious.
255. Don't tell the end of movies and good books. YES! I HATE SPOILERS & SPOILEES.
256. Never give a gift that's not beautifully wrapped, but always graciously receive a gift that's not beautifully wrapped.
257. Don't think expensive equipment will make up for lack of talent or practice.
258. Learn to say "I love you" in French, Italian, and Swedish. One down. Two to go..
259. Memorize your favorite love poem.
260. Ask anyone giving you directions to repeat them at least twice. Or, in my case, take them along for the ride.
261. When you are totally exhausted but have to keep going, wash your face and hands and put on clean socks and a clean shirt. You will feel remarkably refreshed. Too bad the two times in my life I've been completely exhausted there were no water sources in the vicinity & no direct access to civilization.
262. Make allowances for your friends' imperfections as readily as you do for your own.
263. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
264. Be ruthlessly realistic when it comes to your finances.
265. Do the right thing, regardless of what others think.
266. Judge people from where they stand, not from where you stand.
267. Be open and accessible. The next person you meet could become your best friend. Boy is this a difficult one.
268. Life will sometimes hand you a magical moment. Savor it.
269. Learn how to make tapioca pudding and peanut brittle in the microwave. This is just too strange to not make the cut; not to mention unhealthy.
270. Take the stairs when it's four flights or less.
271. Never threaten if you don't intend to back it up, & never instigate for unjust reasons.
272. Learn to save on even the most modest salary. If you do, you're almost assured of financial success.
273. Hold yourself to the highest standards.
274. Don't confuse comfort with happiness.
275. Don't confuse wealth with success.
276. When talking to your doctor, don't let him or her interrupt or end the session early. It's your body and your money. Stay until all your questions are answered to your satisfaction.
277. Check for toilet paper before sitting down. If not, accidents may very well ensue.
278. Make a habit of reading something inspiring and cheerful just before. going to sleep. Make a habit of reading. Period.
279. Remember that a person who is foolish with money is foolish in other ways too.
280. Learn to bake bread, & then experiment with it.
281. Be an original. If that means being a little eccentric, so be it.
282. Pay as much attention to the things that are working positively in your life as you do to those that are giving you trouble.
283. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
284. When it comes to worrying or painting a picture, know when to stop.
285. Before taking a long trip, fill your tank and empty your bladder. ..and avoid travelling with small-bladdered individuals if you can.
286. Be quick to take advantage of an advantage.
287. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. How true.
288. Don't think you can relax your way to happiness. Happiness comes as a result of doing.
289. Don't dismiss a good idea simply because you don't like the source.
290. What you must do, do cheerfully.
291. Don't waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you.
292. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
293. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
294. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
295. Win without boasting.
296. Lose without excuses.
297. Watch your attitude. It's the first thing people notice about you.
298. Choose the apartment on the top floor. Done, but soon to be undone.. =(
299. Ask someone you'd like to know better to list five people he would most like to meet. It will tell you a lot about him.
300. Deadlines are important. Meet them.
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