Archives for November 2008

We’ll kick-off this list of reminders with one of our favorite poems, “The Guy in the Glass” by Dale Wimbrow.

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn’t your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He’s the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear up to the end,
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the guy in the glass.

1. Everyone and everything seems normal from a distance.
2. When you die you can’t take anything or anyone with you.  This includes your family, friends, money and belongings.  Memories are all that remain.  Make them count.
3. If you are breathing now, congratulations!  You still have a chance to fulfill your bucket list.  Don’t hesitate.
4. Don’t make public generalizations about sex, race or age.  Doing so will almost certainly bite you in the ass.
5. When something is troubling your worried mind, ask yourself this question:  “Will this issue really make a difference in my life one year from now?”  If the answer is no, move on.
6. The key to saving and maintaining a relationship starts with two simple words:  “I’m sorry.”
7. Never underestimate the joy of life’s simple pleasures… like the pull-through parking spot.
8. Live in a few different cities, states, or even countries before your time is up.  The life experiences gained in each location will open your eyes again and again for the first time.
9. Beginnings and endings… Both are powerful.  Both are memorable.  Both are necessary.  Don’t be afraid to start.  Don’t be afraid to bring something to an end.
10. Alcohol fogs your judgment… Sometimes for the best, and sometimes for the worst.  Use accordingly.
11. Why wait to look back on it and laugh?  You may as well laugh about it now.
12. You will appear far smarter in the eyes of others if you simply pay attention to the details they care about, rather than attempting to impress them with your wits.  For example, if your boss always has Johnny Cash playing in the background when you walk past his office, mention it to him.  Ask him what his favorite album is.  Share your favorite song, etc.
13. Lessons cannot be taught, they can only be learned.
14. Compliments go a long way.  When given the chance, always make people feel good about themselves.
15. True wisdom is achieved through life experience.  No book or classroom can teach this.
16. Don’t give other people advice in the gym unless they ask for it.
17. Don’t argue or flirt with someone via email or text messaging.  Most people are not poets.  The message will get lost in translation, and may end up in the wrong hands altogether.
18. Appearance isn’t everything, but it’s something.  Purposely neglecting your appearance for the sake of it is just as foolish as judging a book by its cover.
19. A little preparation will always save you a lot of grief.
20. The better mood your boss is in at work, the better mood you’re in at work.  Help him or her help you.
21. You cannot do everything, but you can do something.  Make it count.
22. A small gift from the heart is always better than a large gift from a shopping list.
23. Dreams will remain dreams forever if you don’t take action.
24. As long as you are alive, there is always more to learn.
25. Enjoy yourself.  The situation is always lighter than you think.
26. What you learn in school does matter.  While you may not use the specifics of every classroom lesson, every lesson does expand the core thought process of your mind. Over time you will develop problem solving skills that are universally applicable.  No single classroom lesson can teach this, and no single classroom lesson is more important.
27. Own up to your mistakes the instant you realize you’ve made them.  People will respect your honesty, and your conscience will thank you.
28. Concentrate on the things that you can change, forget about the rest.
29. Maintain your body, but never be ashamed of it.  It’s the greatest tool you’ll ever own.
30. Don’t let mistakes from the past corrupt your future ambitions.
31. In life and in love, you get what you put in.
32. Don’t spend your whole life waiting for the ‘right time’.
33. In many cases you will learn more from failure than you will from success.
34. Become a critical thinker and always be skeptical of those who dish-out advice.  As such, weigh each of these tips against your own experience and judgment.

Photo by: Your Guide

Even in times of financial uncertainty, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
— Henry David Thoreau

1. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
2. You didn’t go to sleep outside.
3. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.
4. You hardly broke a sweat today.
5. You haven’t spent a minute in fear.
6. You have access to clean drinking water.
7. You have access to medical care.
8. You have the right to vote.
9. You have access to the internet.
10. You can read.

Some might say you are rich, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.

Photo by: Carfe