Collected Advice & Thoughts on life (for Logan & Olivia)

I started out writing all this for my kids, I gave them a handout ![]()
so they would always have my advice and thoughts with them when I could not be there
personally. When I gave them their handouts they thought I was nuts. Oh
well, I’ve always said I’d rather be nuts, crazy, weird, etc. than boring!
So here is the advice and life tips I passed along to them…
• Accept what is done is done. Change what you can change, let go of the rest.
• It is what it is.
• Don’t be afraid to dream. Don’t let anyone burst your bubble.

• Don’t live in the future (and for that matter, don’t live in the past) Live in the moment. Don’t wait to live your life.
• Always have someone or something that is happy to see you. 
(even if it’s only a dog)
• Remember two people can look at exactly the same thing and see two completely different things.
• Never quit a job without having another one lined up.
• Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Try new things any chance you get.
• Life is too short (or too long, depending on how you look at it) to be miserable. Don’t live life miserably!
• No one or nothing can make you happy, only you can. Happiness is a choice
• Have a belief system – turn to God
• Taking responsibility for your finances lessens stress. Stay on top of it.
• This one is cliche´ but it’s true – Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
• It takes years to build trust and only moments to destroy it.
• Hinting at what you want does not work, others can not read your mind. Say what you want and mean, be direct.
• There will always be someone prettier, smarter and wealthier than you. Oh well.
• If a person gossips about others to you they are likely to gossip about you to others. Gossip does catch up with you, not a good thing.
• Another cliche’ – you are what you eat.
• Sometimes the greatest strength is shown by being vulnerable.
• I’ve learned no matter how hurt and broken hearted you are the world does not stop with you to feel your grief.
•Take care of only today’s problems. Don’t worry about tomorrow’s
problems, because when they appear you will have the means to solve them
then.
• Always make time for family and friends. When you are
older you will never wish you had spent more time working in your life,
only regret the time not spent with loved ones.
• keep a journal, document the only life that belongs to you and no one else.
Everyone has a story to tell. Carry a camera as much as possible (how many times do you wish you had a camera with )
• Project confidence (even if you are not feeling it,) fake it til you make it.) Good eye contact, smile, firm handshake.
• Sometimes agreeing to disagree is the best way to go.
• Failure is your friend! As long as your failures are moving you closer
to your desired end-state, they are good. When you fail, figure out why
and be determined to learn from it. My thoughts are if your not making
mistakes you are not growing or learning.
• I’ve learned you can keep going long after you think you can’t.
• true love does not keep score.
• Sometimes the people who have made many mistakes in life are the best people to ask for advice. They have lived and learned.
• A leopard never changes his spots.
Miscellaneous tips:
• When you purchase a new pair of shoes don’t throw the box out. Instead, take a picture of the shoes, then tape the picture to the outside of the box. This prevents shuffling through every box of shoes you have to find the right ones. • A dab of toothpaste makes a great zit cream.
• Add a couple of tablespoons of baking
soda to your shampoo, once a week to remove product build up. Rinse and
condition as normal
• Discover new
music through movie soundtracks. I’ve discovered some of my favorite
bands this way. Also, go to the i-Tunes radio, each station displays the
name of the current song and artist.
• Dirty Clothes Someday when you are off living on your own and don’t have closet space for all your dirty clothes, keep them in the washer or dryer until it’s time to do laundry.
![]()
How to have a less stressful day:
I have many more to add and will as I think of them . I’d love to hear
your pieces of wisdom, advice and thoughts you would like to pass along.

You are so wise. These are all such good things to teach people and not just children. We adults can always use this kind of refresher course. Thanks for the reminder.
http://joyerickson.wordpress.com/