Seven Life Rules That'll Work for Everyone
By: Bean Jones
Life's a beach. You don't need experts to tell you that there should always be room for fun in life--and that you can get good advice in the most unlikely ways.
Sometimes the best pieces of advice come in the form of quips that go for the jugular. Best of all--since these no-nonsense statements were uttered by people you don't know personally--you can agree with them without letting anyone see you swallow your pride. Unsolicited advice has never been so wonderful.
That being said, I've written down some of my favorite guide-to-life quotes:
1. "If you want people to think well of you, do not speak well of yourself." Blaise Pascal
2."Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret." Ambrose Bierce
3."Never work before breakfast; [even] if you have to work before [it's time for] breakfast, get your breakfast first." Josh Billings
4."From a worldly point of view, there is no mistake so great as that of always being right." Samuel Butler
5."Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."
The Dalai Lama
6."If you accept your limitations, you go beyond them." Brendan Behan
7."For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."
Lily Tomlin
Even if these wise words won't convince you to change your life, I hope that they at least help you appreciate looking at life from a different perspective.
Credits: Photo by Anna Cercova, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.
Comments
I can so relate to the quip about "not getting what you want is sometimes I wonderful stroke of luck"... and it took me a long time to let go of the disappointment involved and look at what the opportunity actually allowed me to do. Sure I still get disappointed, but when I can quickly work through those negative feelings I actually allow other good stuff to come in which often is a lot better than what I wanted in the first place.
Jeanne
"If you want people to think well of you, do not speak well of yourself."
There are a lot of "me" pitch and I always have a filter when I listen to them to screen for trustworthiness. And the more superlatives I hear, the more unbelievable it becomes to me.
On the other hand, when one speaks as a matter of factly with a low profile introduction, I'm more keen and somehow find myself generously extending positive attributes to that person.
The trick is give the other person a reason to "buy" you rather than trying to sell yourself to him.
"not getting what you want ..." when I was having such a hellish time trying to keep my mariage from ungluing I wanted so much for our couple to work. years later,I see what a compromise I was doing with my life and appreciate the liberty now. I still have sadness when certain anniverseries roll around and I miss having a companion and would appreciate at this time for the universe to send a good one. L.C.
I do not agree with number one. People who ONLY think well of those who put themselves down (in other words, have low self esteem and low self love) are NOT the sort of people I would want to associate with anyway. Bragging is NOT the same (those who brag are arrogant and this is NOT the same as high self esteem). But you should treat yourself with love and respect, the same as you treat others.
I love #4. Coming from a family of engineers and teachers, not being right was considered a bad thing. But other people don't like it if you pipe up with the "right answer" too often. Sometimes it's a good thing to step back now and then and let people voice their own conclusions!