To help you have a happy life

“I

am not young enough to know everything.”

–

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

 

“Good

advice is one of those insults that ought to be forgiven.”

–

Unknown

 

“Wise

men don’t need advice.  Fools won’t

take it.”

–

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

 

Well,

I’ve just had another birthday anniversary. Now, they seem to come around about

every three months or so. That’s fast enough for me. I hope they don’t start

coming any faster.

There

are some benefits to getting older (although it becomes harder to remember what

they are, or for that matter, hard to remember lots of things). One of the

benefits is being able to talk about your experiences (young folks don’t have

many), and give advice based on what you’ve learned. That’s what I am doing

today. This is my advice about some things to help you have a happy life, and I

have had one. Let me give them to you, quickly, and in my reverse order of

importance.

Neatness

Counts. Dress neatly. Pants below

your buttocks, exposed breast, excessive tattoos and body parts pierced might

be temporarily cool, but it won’t help you get a good job or have the respect

of those from who you need respect. Cut your hair, shine your shoes and bathe.

Neatness counts.

Mind

Your Own Business. Looking after what

you have to ‘see about’ is probably more than a full-time job. Did you hear

about the fellow in Texas that got rich “mining” his own business?

Roots

Matter. Understand who your relatives

are – the close and the distant. Also, try to learn about others and their

roots. It might keep you from making serious gaffes that will affect you

adversely and permanently. Knowing your own roots will help you to know why you

do what you do and who you are.

Don’t

Give Too Much Advice. Unless you are

a doctor, lawyer, minister or similar ‘paid to give advice person,’ the best

advice I can give is “don’t!” Old Ben Franklin says it best above. Yes, good

advice Ben.

Live

Within Your Means. There is nothing

more miserable than owing and not being able to pay. Are you listening, U.S.

Congress? Most Americans have more than they need and, yet, want more. Our

government is even worse. We all need to learn to live within our means.  Did I hear “Amen?”

Take

Set-backs Gracefully. The set-backs

are coming. Count on it. The sun doesn’t shine on the same dog all the time (or

something like that!). Keep on rolling with the flow. Momma said there’d be

days like this. When you’re knocked down, get up. Etc. Etc. And, it’s all true.

Avoid

Excesses. I’m talking about alcohol,

food, hero worship, sports team worship, political positions and so forth. The

great seal of Georgia contains the words “Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.”

Moderation, the opposite of excesses, might just be the most important of the

three words as far as your living a happy life is concerned.

Smile

and Even Laugh When Appropriate. I

know folks who seldom smile. I know one man (a good person) who I defy you to

make laugh. I like to be around happy people, don’t you?  And, I like very much those folks who

laugh at the funny things I say. Don’t you? A funny word turns away wrath, or

something like that.

Learn

the Magic Words. “Please, Thank You,

Yes Sir, No Ma’am, Forgive Me, Can I Help You, etc.” Do not substitute “No

Problem” for “You Are Welcome” – especially if you’re talking to someone over

40. A big smile (see above) and the magic words will take you a long way in

life.

Keep

Your Word. Do what you say you are

going to do – and if you can’t, go back and explain why not. I learned this in

politics. When my colleagues and I knew a person wouldn’t keep his/her word,

the untruthful person never amounted to much. Tell the truth. Keep your word.

Quiet

Time Is Important. No television, no

cell-phone, no radio, no friends, no spouse, no children. Just you and God.

Your brain needs rest just like the rest of your body. Just you and silence.

It’s a good combination.

Charity. Give some of your money and time to worthy charities

and good causes. I know some folks that never give anything to anybody for any

cause. They are usually pretty miserable people.

Thank

God. Every day. And, during one of

those quiet times would be a great time. And, never forget to give thanks for

being blessed to live in this wonderful country. The best in the world.

Show

Up. Nothing beats persistence. Show

up every day. Show up when you don’t feel good. Show up when you are

discouraged and blue. Show up when you’d rather be somewhere else. It’s amazing

what you can accomplish if you’ll just show up every day.

Well, that’s it. Lots of

advice from someone who says you shouldn’t give too much advice. I guess that’s

what happens when you’ve had as many birthdays as I’ve had.