Be Happy

For a long time I've want to give my kids a list of things I think they should know in this life, a set of rules, if you will. Something I might tell them if I were on my deathbed (I'm not). This is my first attempt at writing it all down. It's by no means comprehensive, but it does reflect the way I try to live my own life. I've been privileged to live on this beautiful earth now for 53+ years. These are some of the things I've learned. I'll also add to this list as I think of other "words of wisdom".

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When you see a kid running a lemonade stand, always stop and buy some. Then pay them more than they're asking.

Be a big tipper.

Laugh several times every single day.

Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.

When you get to college, plan your week so that you can stop doing schoolwork on Friday at 5pm, then don't take it up again until Monday morning. The weekends should be your own. If you have to study on Saturday from time to time, it's all right, but never, ever study on Sunday.

Get some kind of exercise every day.

Be fiercely loyal.

Give faith more than a fighting chance.

When someone crosses you in private, talk to them about it in private. When someone crosses you in public, talk to them about it in private. Airing filthy laundry in public never helped anyone.

When you get that urge to change the world, and you will, make sure you change the person in the mirror first. The world will wait.

Never go to bed angry at anyone, especially your spouse. Hash it out before your head hits the pillow, even if it's really, really late.

The best advice my dad ever gave me...Immediate forgiveness.

Eat more vegetables and fruits than you do anything else.

The one thing you can always afford is a comfortable pair of shoes. Trust me, they're worth it.

When you receive something from someone else, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, show your appreciation by sending them a nice, handwritten thank you card.

Try to catch people, especially your family, in the act of doing something good. But when you're doing something good, try to NOT get caught.

Relax. Whatever it is, it's not really that important.

Life's way too short to be doing something you don't like.

You can't force anyone to be your friend. Just be nice to everyone and the friends will come.

Always give people the benefit of the doubt.

Never wrestle with a pig. All you get is dirty and the pig likes it.

Give yourself a break. You're never that bad.

Neither is anyone else.

Let it go.

Stay away from alcohol. It can do nothing but damage your life.

Be good to your mother.

Be good to your mother (yes, I said it twice).

Be good to your mother-in-law.

There's ALWAYS someone who is better than you. Be quick to realize that and then work hard to be better than you are today.

Try. Then try harder. Then try harder still.

Understand that you live in the greatest country in the world, but also understand that your country has a lot of problems. Work to overcome them in your "neck of the woods."

Be involved.

Do one thing at a time, but do it right the first time.

If you fail, let it go and try again. Most of the world's greatest inventions were created way after the first or second or even tenth failure.

Some day, write down your history. One day someone will want to know who you were.

Growing older is nothing more than the passage of time. Don't be depressed about it. It will only make you feel older.

DO NOT SMOKE.

Oxygen is one of the best curatives God ever invented. Breathe deeply and enjoy your life.

Always tell the truth, no matter how bad it feels.

When you're in a restaurant, ask for water. Drink a lot of it wherever you are.

Be a good person.

If you get pulled over for speeding, don't be a smart aleck to the officer.

Family is one of the only things in this life that's REALLY important. Do everything you need to do to keep yours together and happy. Nothing can compensate for failure in the home.

Read.

If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you say you're going to be something, be it. If you say you're going to be somewhere, be there.

Love the earth. Learn to see its beauty. Treat it right.

Learn to see beauty in everything. It's all around you. You'll be amazed if you'll just open your eyes.

Love your spouse will all of your soul. Treat them with respect and love and like they're just as important as air, because they are.

Take time to be with your kids. Go to their games. Be their coach. Cheer for them. Go to their recitals. It makes a BIG difference.

Fidelity isn't old fashioned. It should be a way of life, a 'doctrine' you live with and reflect in your thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Pay your tithing.

Prayer, if done correctly, should be a physically demanding activity. Do it every day, and more than once.

Never, ever toot your own horn. It sounds a lot better when someone else does it and doesn't cause others to dislike you.

Little acts of anonymous kindness will go a long way to improving the world.

Watch cartoons with your kids, even if you find them lame.

Be outside.

Get to know yourself. I love you. You should also.

Love your life.