60. Evaluate yourself by your own standards, not someone else's. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

77 Life Instructions Society Has Forgotten

Adapted from Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 suggestions, observations, & reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

282
77 Life Instructions Society Has Forgotten
Ariel Krikorian

In This Article:

The following 100 life instructions come from a book (written by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.) I received from my grandfather. He was given this book many years ago, and he thought I would enjoy it. My grandfather has taught me many things, among which is that family is most important, live with integrity, and love deeply. While this book is slightly outdated, and some of the instructions aren't necessarily applicable to this day and age - learn how to operate a Macintosh computer - this book is filled with many reminders for how to live a wholesome life. I have combed through this book and come up with the top 77 (out of 511) instructions that society has forgotten, but definitely shouldn't have.

1. Compliment three people every day. 

2. Watch a sunrise at least once a year.

3. Remember other people's birthdays. 

4. Have a firm handshake.

5. Look people in the eye. 

6. Be forgiving of yourself & others. 

7. Ask for a raise when you feel you've earned it. 

8. Return all things you borrow. 

9. Write "thank you" notes promptly. 

10. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day. 

11. Show respect for teachers. 

12. Take out the garbage without being told.

13. Vote.

14. Surprise loved ones with little unexpected gifts. 

15. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

16. Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, & integrity, they think of you.

17. Admit your mistakes. 

18. Use your wit to amuse, not to abuse. 

19. Remember that all news is biased. 

20. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. 

21. Don't take good health for granted. 

22. Don't smoke. 

23. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who'll never find out. 

24. Know how to type. 

25. Never cheat.  

26. Learn CPR. 

27. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly. 

28. Know how to change a tire. 

29. Know how to tie a bow tie. 

30. Remember people's names. 

31. Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have. 

32. Strive for excellence, not perfection. 

33. Take time to smell the roses. 

34. Pray not for things, but for wisdom & courage. 

35. Be punctual & insist on it in others. 

36. Do battle against prejudice & discrimination wherever you find it. 

37. Don't quit a job until you've lined up another. 

38. Have good posture. 

39. Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated. 

40. Show respect for all living things. 

41. Don't carry a grudge. 

42. Commit yourself to constant self-improvement. 

43. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. 

44. Keep your promises.

45. Be willing to lose a battle in order to win the war. 

46. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born. 

47. Don't whine.

48. Leave everything a little better than you found it. 

49. Don't expect money to bring you happiness. 

50. Never snap your fingers to get someone's attention. It's rude. 

51. Practice empathy. Try to see things from other people's points of view. 

52. Discipline yourself to save money. 

53. Get & stay in shape. 

54. Don't expect life to be fair. 

55. Become an expert in time management. 

56. Learn to disagree without being disagreeable. 

57. Refrain from envy. It's the source of much unhappiness. 

58. Don't think a higher price always means higher quality.

59. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. 

60. Evaluate yourself by your own standards, not someone else's. 

61. Know when to keep silent. 

62. Know when to speak up. 

63. Wage war against littering. 

64. Don't flaunt your success, but don't apologize for it either. 

65. Be enthusiastic about the success of others. 

66. Don't procrastinate. Do what needs doing when it needs to be done. 

67. Have some knowledge of three religions other than your own.

68. Don't undertip the waiter just because the food is bad; he/she didn't cook it. 

69. Don't be afraid to say, "I need help."

70. Never compromise your integrity. 

71. Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on what's to come. 

72. Don't interrupt. 

73. Don't make the same mistake twice. 

74. Question your goals by asking, "will this help me become my very best?"

75. Marry only for love. 

76. Count your blessings. 

77. Call your mother. 

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

85308
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11109
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments