Recently, one of my sorority sisters introduced me to a book: "Life's Little Instruction Book" by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. The book includes 511 suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.
After flipping through the book, I started implementing some of these into my life and wanted to share some of my favorites that I've found so far.
1. Compliment three people every day.
2. Sing in the shower.
3. Drink champagne for no reason at all.
4. Learn how to make great chili.
5. Plant flowers every spring.
6. Say "please" and "thank you" a lot.
7. Have a firm handshake.
8. Keep secrets.
9. Floss your teeth.
10. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
11. Once in your life own a convertible.
12. Return all things you borrow.
13. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
14. Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it.
15. Learn how to play a musical instrument.
16. Plant a tree on your birthday.
17. Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
18. Show respect for military personnel.
19. Vote.
20. Take a photography course.
21. Remember that all news is biased.
22. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
23. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
24. Ride a bike.
25. Slow dance.
26. Never cheat.
27. Treat yourself to a massage on your birthday.
28. Keep a daily journal.
29. Don't buy expensive wine, luggage, or watches.
30. Smile a lot.
31. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knows very softly.
32. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
33. Learn CPR.
34. Don't hold grudges.
35. Learn how to tie a bow tie.
36. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
37. Know how to change a tire.
38. Pay your bills on time.
39. Sing in a choir.
40. Be romantic.
41. Have good posture. Enter a room with purpose and confidence.
42. Commit yourself to constant self-improvement.
43. Don't waste time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on.
44. Never cut what can be untied.
45. Lie on your back and look at the stars.
46. Don't expect life to be fair.
47. Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry.
48. Be someone's hero.
49. Call your parents.
50. Take time to smell the roses.
