Some Good Advice (from Alyssadejour)

Much like AlyssadeJour, someone --actually my Mum--sent it--nay, implored I keep it!--to me some years back. Good to see it's out there. Definitely juicy!

from: Some Good Advice

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

[Some people claim the more you give, the more you get. Maybe. Maybe not. But there is truth in the biblical admonition "cast thy bread upon the waters..."]

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

[Well, I'm not yet married, so I really cannot proffer anything significant, except to say that whilst I am enjoying the throes of courtship with G___, she enjoys me being a bit of a blatherskite, which is actually more of a derogatory term to describe someone who is loquacious--or who talks a lot. I only get passionate about a few things! Honest! BTW, she has never ever said I am a blatherskite, but my Mum loves the word--not necessarily in reference to me. My family are lovers of words, so what do you expect?!]

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

[Wish this could be done in the real world, but honestly, who can spend all they have in the 21st century? And,well, if you slept all you want, you'd be late for work!!--assuming you have a job...which in itself is a precious thing to hold onto. See Desiderata]

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
[Self-explanatory..except in the throes of intercourse;-)]

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
[Why are so many criminals walking this Earth, then? Tell that to the Mafia who wil tell you they're sorry to have killed your relative, BUT they wanted to show their power...Twisted!]

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
[Ok...]

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
[How??? Please explain that to me...]

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
[Very true]

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it's the only way to live life completely.
[True...after having been the object--or should that be subject;-) -- of many an unrequited love interest, I think I would have to agree. If it doesn't kill you, well, it can only make you proverbially stronger...]

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
[Better still, read Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People!]

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
[Sometimes, unavoidable, but you can only try...]

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
[ok...]

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
[or follow my Dad's advice, and pretend you didn't hear:-)]

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
[oh yes, oh yes!! Just read biographies of great people, such as Abraham Lincoln]

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
[...so that you will be blessed back?;-)]

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
[...or you'll end up in prison...;-)]

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
[to be internalised by ALL future couples (including me!!)]

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
[oh no, oh no!!]


NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
[Better still, read Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends & Influence People!]

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
[swell:-)]

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.
[...but don't do anyting I wouldn't do!!;-)]

good stuff!