reminders

i found this piece of paper about instructions for life while i was rummaging with my old stuffs. it has been a long time since i have read it...i thought of posting it here so i'll have an online checklist.

life's little instructions

sing in the shower. love deeply and passionately. you might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely. treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated. watch a sunrise at least once a year. strive for excellence, not perfection. in disagreements, fight fairly (no name calling). don't judge people by their relatives. talk slowly but quickly. when someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "why do you want to know?". remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk. say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze. don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want. plant a tree on your birthday. learn three clean jokes. compliment three people everyday. never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love. never laugh at anyone's dreams. leave the toilet seat in the down position. when you lose, don't lose the lesson. remember the three R's: respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all your actions. don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. when you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. smile when picking up the phone. marry a woman/man you love to talk to. as you get older, her/his conversational skills will be as important as any other. spend some time alone. open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. read more books and watch less tv. live a good honorable life. then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time. trust in god but lock your car. a loving atmosphere in your home is so important. do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home. in disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. don't bring up the past. read between the lines. leave everything a little better than you found it. keep it simple. think big thoughts but relish small pleasures. become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. floss your teeth. be forgiving of yourself and others. say "thank you" a lot. memorize your favorite poem. say "please" a lot. avoid negative people. wear polished shoes. buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards. remember other people's birthdays. when you say "i love you", mean it. commit yourself to constant improvement. have a firm handshake. look people in the eye. be the first to say "hello". give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. return all the things you borrow. make new friends but cherish the old ones. keep secrets. sing in a choir. plant flowers every spring. take responsibility for every area of your life. have a dog. always accept outstretched hands. stop blaming others. when you say "i'm sorry", look the person in the eye. be engaged at least six months before you get married. believe in love at first sight. wave at kids on school buses. be there when people need you. don't expect life to be fair. never underestimate the power of love. drink champagne for no reason at all. live your life as an explanation. don't be afraid to say "i made a mistake". don't be afraid to say "i don't know". compliment even small improvements. keep your promise (no matter what). marry only for love. rekindle old friendships. count your blessings. call your mother.