Photo by Jill Dwyer Henry 2009

I am not the original author of this list, and I would love to give proper credit to them, but I received this list via email and just wanted to share it with all of you.  All 21 points are originally made by another but the comments in parenthesis are all mine!

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully (and without looking for a return favor).

2. Marry a person you love to talk to.  As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.  (As my mother taught me: you always stay focused on your spouse because once your children are grown, they are supposed to leave — your spouse is going to stay).

3. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want (But get all of the sleep you NEED)

4. When you say, “I love you,” mean it.  (When you don’t mean it, don’t say it)

5. When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye (Know that admitting you were wrong is not a sign of weakness but a sign of maturity and kindness)

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.  (And enjoy every minute of that special time — don’t rush it past or wish it away…LIVE IT)

7.  Believe in love at first sight.  (But also know there is such a thing as LUST at first sight, and that COULD be what’s going on…)

8. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams; people who don’t have dreams don’t have much.  (If someone laughs at YOUR dreams, leave them in the dust…the person, not the dreams!)

9. Love deeply and passionately.  You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.  (And only love one at a time — that’s only fair)

10. In disagreements; fight fairly.  No name calling.  (And stay on the subject at hand, don’t reach back for old, unhealed wounds, stay in the moment)

11. Don’t judge people b their relatives.  (In truth they would probably have picked the same relatives if given a choice, but we all know the relative-giving is pretty much a crap shoot)

12. Talk slowly but think quickly.  (And let your thinking happen before you open your mouth)

13.  When someone asks you a question you’re not comfortable answering, smile and ask, “Why do you ask?”  (It’s a lot better than pulling a lie from mid air that won’t be believed anyway…)

14.  Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.  (And it’s ALWAYS worth the risk…)

15.  Say, “Bless You,” when you hear someone sneeze (And always return your shopping cart to the specified spot in the lot – don’t leave a mess)

16.  When you lose, don’t lose the lesson (There is always a lesson)

17. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others and Responsibility for all of YOUR ACTIONS (Even the ones you could get away with denying…)

18. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship (But don’t confuse a toxic relationship with a healthy one)

19. When you realize you’ve made a mistake; take immediate steps to correct it (This will be a gift to YOURSELF more than to the other person involved)

20.  Smile when picking up the phone; the caller will hear it in your voice.  (And it may be JUST what they need to back them away from the ledge)

21.  Spend some time alone  (whenever you can, without isolating yourself from the rest of humanity — we really need each other)

 

Thank you for reading, I hope this entry brightens your day.