Rules to Live By
....according to me, of course.
- Learn from your mistakes, and don't regret them. They are the best learning tool you'll ever have.
- Separate people in your life into 2 categories: Those you can and cannot be bothered with. Include in the first
category those who love you unconditionally, those who have your best interests at heart, and those in whom
you've placed your trust. Place in the latter category those who value materialism, those who cannot be trusted,
and those whose love for you depends on their terms. The challenge in life is finding who belongs in which
category.
- Ignore fashion magazines and the whims of the beauty industry. Life is too short to spend feeling
inferior. I've personally never met a man who prefers a 100-pound skeletal waif over a real woman.
- Always trust your instincts, and go with them. But always have a person in your life whose second
opinion is deeply trusted.
- Never, ever believe your own press.
- Everything in life- work and play- should be done in moderation. The one exception is love. You should
express yours to the fullest.
- There are 3 questions every man hates to be asked: "Am I fat?", "What's different about me?" and
"Do you know what today is?". If you want honest answers, ask different questions.
- Own a pet. Unconditional love, coupled with a fuzzy face, is a great thing.
- Never sleep with someone with whom you wouldn't share your toothbrush.
- Pay attention to how a man treats his mother. This is how he will treat you many years from now.
- Don't try to analyze your or judge your parents' motives. Accept that they did the best they could, and
love them for it. They can become great friends in your adulthood.
- Turn off the ringer on your phone, and let your machine screen all the calls. Otherwise, the phone
is the one appliance that runs us instead of the other way around.
- See the world. Life is too short to spend it in your own backyard.
- Learn how to spell and write clearly. Even if you are brilliant, how much you know is completely
irrelevant if you don't have the ability to convey that knowledge.
- Read classic novels, listen to great music, and appreciate art. It will make you a more interesting
person.
- There are 2 things in life on which you should never skimp: Haircuts and a bed. Haircuts are an investment in
your self-image, and unlike a cheap suit, must be worn every day. As for a good bed- if you are going
to spend 1/3 of your life somewhere, make sure it is sturdy, comfortable, and inviting.
- Never get dignity confused with stubbornness. Say you're sorry and admit mistakes when you need to.
- Put 10% of your income away in savings or investments.
- If you need something from your significant other, tell him/her! Where did we ever get the idea that
our mates could read our minds, or instinctively know what will make us feel loved?
- While big pleasures in life are wonderful, for the most part they're few and far between. Realize
that the real joy is the simple things in life. I would choose a single flower on my pillow on Tuesday to a
dozen red roses on Valentine's Day any day.
- When a recipe calls for sautéing in butter or oil, always substitute chicken stock and/or wine. It
tastes better and is healthier.
- Always find something to look forward to.
- Unless you're waiting for a kidney donation, leave the cell phone and the pagers at work. Don't
believe for a minute that those toys define your importance.
- Never passively accept a prescription. Ask questions and research what you're given. We spend so
much time figuring fat values and calories, yet no one seems to care what chemicals we ingest as long
as a doctor says it's OK.
- You can tell a lot about a person by how he or she tips. Always tip 15%-20%, and never use those
silly tip charts.
- Always have a car emergency kit in your trunk. At the bare minimum, have a flashlight and jumper cables.
- In the long run, honesty is a whole lot more important than tact.
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