Life's Little Instruction Book Pt. II

Win without boasting, lose without excuses.
Don’t confuse mere inconveniences with real problems.
Show extra respect for people whose jobs put dirt under their fingernails.
Hold your child’s hand every chance you get. The time will come all too soon when he or she won’t let you.
Send your mother-in-law flowers on your spouse’s birthday.
When you see visitors taking pictures of each other, offer to take a picture of their group together.
Think twice before deciding not to charge for your work. People often don’t value what they don’t pay for.
Just because you earn a decent wage, don’t look down on those who don’t. To put things in perspective, consider what would happen to the public good if you didn’t do your job for 30 days. Next, consider the consequences if sanitation workers didn’t do their jobs for 30 days. Now, whose job is more important?
Never tell anyone that they’re losing their hair. They already know.
Never say anything uncomplimentary about your spouse in the presence of your children.
Don’t say anything on a cell phone that you don’t want the world to hear.
When you’re the first one up, be quiet about it.
To help your children turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.
Be the first adult to jump into the pool or run into the ocean with the kids. They will love you for it.
Don’t use your teeth to open things.
Protect your enthusiasm from the negativity of others.
When someone tells you that they love you, never say, “No, you don’t.”
Watch reruns of “The Wonder Years.”

By H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“Compliment three people each day. Watch a sunrise at least once a year. Overtip breakfast waitresses. Look people in the eye. Say “thank you” a lot. Say “please” a lot. Live beneath your means. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards. Treat everyone you meet as you want to be treated. Donate two pints of blood every year. Make new friends but cherish the old ones. Keep secrets. Don’t waste time learning the “tricks of the trade.” Instead, learn the trade. Admit your mistakes. Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. Choose a charity in your community and support it generously with your time and money. Read the Bill of Rights. Use credit cards only for convenience, never for credit. Never cheat. Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all he or she has. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage. Never take action when you’re angry. Have good posture. Enter a room with purpose and confidence. Don’t discuss business in elevators. You never know who may overhear you. Never pay for work before it’s completed. Be willing to lose a battle in order to win the war. Don’t gossip. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose. When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If you’re going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Learn to say no politely and quickly. Don’t expect life to be fair. Never underestimate the power of forgiveness. Instead of using the word problem, try substituting the word opportunity. Never walk out on a quarrel with your wife. Regarding furniture and clothes: if you think you’ll be using them five years or longer, buy the best you can afford. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things, you didn’t do more than the ones you did. Forget committees. New, noble, world-changing ideas always come from one person working alone. Street musicians are a treasure. Stop for a moment and listen; then leave a small donation. When faced with a serious health problem, get at least three medical opinions. Wage war against littering. After encountering inferior service, food or products, bring it to the attention of the person in charge. Good managers will appreciate knowing. Don’t procrastinate. Do what needs doing when it needs to be done. Get your priorities straight. No one ever said on his deathbed, ”Gee, if I’d only spent more time at the office.” Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry.” Make a list of 25 things you want to experience before you die. Carry it in your wallet and refer to it often. Call your mother.”

—From ”Life’s Little Instruction Book”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Last post for 'Life's Little Instruction Book Pt. III'

Leave everything a little better than you found it.
Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.
Use your wit to amuse, not to abuse.
Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come ninety percent of all your happiness or misery.
Be suspicious of all politicians.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
When talking to the press, remember they always have the last word.
Never buy something you don’t need just because it’s on sale.
Remember that overnight success usually takes about fifteen years.
Just to see how it feels, for the next twenty-four hours refrain from criticizing anybody or anything.
Take care of your reputation. It’s your most valuable asset
Every person that you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.
Remember that a successful marriage depends on two things: (1) finding the right person and (2) being the right person.
Tape record your parents’ laughter
Don’t insist on running someone else’s life.
Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities.
Never miss an opportunity to sleep on a screened-in porch.
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
Never wash a car, mow a yard, or select a Christmas tree after dark.
Buy a used car with the same caution a naked man uses to climb a barbed-wire fence.
Introduce yourself to someone you would like to meet by smiling and saying, “My name is Derp/Derpina. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you.”
Get organized. Know where you are headed. But if something wonderful and unexpected comes along, be flexible enough to follow it.
Never type a love letter. Use a fountain pen.
When working with contractors, include a penalty clause in your contract for their not finishing on time.
Perform your job better than anyone else can. That’s the best job security I know.
Call your dad. And your mother.