This list of "Instructions For Life" was sent to me by my good friend Pam Aloia. I wholeheartedly agree with the vast majority of it, so here it is! I've made some slight grammatical modifications and reordered it so the instructions that I think are the most important are the first dozen -- Okay mom, the first thirteen!

 

Instructions For Life

    1. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

    2. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

    3. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

    4. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

    5. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

    6. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

    7. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

    8. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.

    9. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

    10. Memorize your favorite poem.

    11. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

    12. Read between the lines.

    13. Call your mom.

    14. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

    15. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

    16. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

    17. Believe in love at first sight.

    18. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.

    19. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name-calling.

    20. Don't judge people by their relatives.

    21. Talk slowly but think quickly.

    22. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

    23. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

    24. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

    25. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

    26. Smile when picking up the telephone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

    27. Marry someone you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

    28. Spend some time alone.

    29. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

    30. Read more books and watch less TV.

    31. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.

    32. Trust in God but lock your car.

    33. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.

    34. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

    35. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

    36. Be gentle with the earth.

    37. Pray -- there's immeasurable power in it.

    38. Mind your own business.

    39. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.

    40. Once a year, go some place you've never been before.

    41. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.

    42. Learn the rules, then break some.

    43. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

    44. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

    45. Remember that your character is your destiny.