life's little instruction book

"best wishes" 

richmond american

son, how can i help you see?

may i give you my shoulders 

  to stand on?

now you see farther than me.

now you see for both of us.

won't you tell me what you see?

• compliment three people every day
• have a dog
• watch a sunrise at least once a year
• over tip breakfast waitresses
• learn to play a musical instrument
• plant flowers every spring
• drive expensive cars, but own the best house you can afford
• buy great books even if you never read them
• drink champagne for no reason at all
• be a student in some kind of class
• never buy a house without a fireplace
• once in your life own a convertible
• treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated
• plant a tree on your birthday
• donate two pints of blood every year
• take lots of snapshots
• keep a tight rein on your temper
• buy veggies from truck farmers who advertise with had-lettered signs
• avoid overexposure to the sun
• surprise loved ones with little unexpected gifts
• never mention being on a diet
• make the best of bad situations
• live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you
• ask someone to pick up your mail and daily paper when you're out of town. those are the first two things potential burglars look for
• take a photography course
• hug children after you discipline them
• learn to make something beautiful with your hands
• eat prunes
• ride a bike
• don't mess with drugs, and don't associate with those who do
• even if your financially well-to-do, have your children earn and pay part of their college tuition
• even if your financially well-to-do, have your children earn and PAY for all their auto insurance
• recycle newspapers, bottles, and cans
• choose your life's mate carefully. from this one decision will come ninety percert of all your happiness or misery
• always have something beautiful in sight, even if it's just a daisy in a jelly glass
• install dead bolt locks on outside doors
• know how to change a tire
• know how to tie a bow tie
• respect your children's privacy. knock before entering their rooms
• wear audacious underwear under the most solemn business attire
• introduce yourself to the manager where you bank. its important the he/she knows you personally
• learn the capital of the states
• visit washington, D.C., and do the tourist bit
• don't buy cheap tools. craftsman tools from sears are among the best. 
• have dull crocked teeth whitened
• never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have
• give yourself an hour to cool off before responding to someone who has provoke you. if it involves something really important, give yourself overnight
• pay your bills on time
• keep a flashlight and extra batteries under the bed and in the glove box of your car
• skip one meal a week and give what you would have spent to a street person
• get acquainted with a good lawyer, accountant, and plumber
• have a will and tell you next-of-kin where it is
• strive for excellence, not perfection
• take time to smell the roses and surroundings
• pray not for things but for wisdom and courage
• use seat belts
• take an overnight train trip and sleep in a pullman
• don't scrip in order to leave money to your children
• be original
• be neat
• never give up what you really want to do. the person with big dreams is more powerful that one with all the facts
• be kinder than necessary
• encourage your kids to have a part-time job after the age of sixteen
• read carefully anything that requires your signature. remember the big print giveth and the small print taketh away
• do battle against prejudice and discrimination wherever you find it
• be romantic
• let people know what you stand for--- and what you won't stand for
• never criticize the person who signs your paycheck. if you are unhappy with your job, resign
• be insatiably curious. ask 'why' a lot
• measure people by the size of their hearts, not the size of their bank accounts
• become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
• buy a bird feeder and hang it so that you can see it from your kitchen window
• learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don't feel like it
• take good care of those you love
• never ask a lawyer or accountant for business advice. they are trained to find problems, not solutions
• every day show your family how much you love them with your words, with your touch, and with your thoughtfulness
• take family vacations whether you can afford them or not. the memories will be priceless
• lie on your back and look at the stars
• don't whine
• change air conditioner filters every three months
• leave everything a little better than you found it
• don't use a toothpick in public
• never underestimate the power to change yourself
• never underestimate your power to change others
• discipline yourself to save money, its essential to success
• get and stay in shape
• don't expect life to be fair
• lock your car even if it's parked in your own driveway
• don't leave a ring in the bathtub
• don't say you don't have enough time. you have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to helen keller, pasteur, michelangelo, mother theresa, leonardo da vinci, thomas jefferson, and albert einsten
• read books that will bring out your humanity & see things in a different perspective
• when you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day
• when traveling, put a card in your wallet with you name, home phone, phone number of close friend/relative, medical information, phone number of hotel or motel you stay
• regarding furniture and clothes: if you think you'll be using them five years or longer, buy the best you can afford
• most three important thing when buying a home: location, location, location
• don't flush urinals with your hands use elbows
• work hard to create in your children a good self-image. it's the most important thing you can do to insure their success
• carry jumper cables in your car
• wear expensive shoes, belts, and ties, but buy them on sale
• when undecided about what color to paint a room, choose antique white
• carry stamps in your wallet you never know when you'll discover the perfect card for a friend or loved one
• 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
• begin each day with your favorite music
• read hospital bills carefully. it's reported that 89% contain errors -- in favor of the hospital
• read to your children
• sing to your children
• listen to your children
• select a doctor your own age so that you can grow old together
• have a friend who owns a truck
• answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice
• every person you meet knows something you don't; learn form them
• don't under tip the waiter just because the food is bad; he didn't cook it
• change your car's oil and filter every three thousand miles, regardless of what the manual says
• conduct family fire drills. be sure everyone knows what to do in case there is a fire
• read the new york times to stay updated
• send your loved one flowers. think of the reason later
• attend your children's athletic contests, plays, and recitals
• decide to get up thirty minutes earlier. do this for a year, and you will add seven and one half days to your waking world
• make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you
• save ten percent of what you earn 
• never buy a beige car
• cherish your children for what they are, not for what you'd like them to be
• become someone's hero
• marry only for love
• count your blessings
• call your mother

i plan on keeping this forever for my future kids & i.