I have one of those Page A Day calendars on my desk, particularly, The Gretchen Rubin A Happier 2018. It contains inspirational quotes, tip and just things that help my day get off to a good start. A few weeks ago, the calendar talked about having a list of personal commandments to live life by. So, it got me to thinking about what are the rules I want to live by. So, here goes:
- Respect others
- Listen to what people are saying instead of spinning my interpretation on it
- Don’t hold grudges
- When in doubt, forgive
- If my instinct says that something doesn’t smell right, listen to that instinct
- Be a parent, not a friend
- Don’t worry about pleasing others, because someone is always going to have a problem with what I do
- The past is a nice place to visit, but I don’t want to live there
- Take personal responsibility for my actions (ie don’t blame others)
- Prepare for the future, but live in the present
- Try not to overthink things
- Talk to people, not at them
- Accept criticism gracefully
- Remember that some people are not as smart as me in some ways, nor as dumb as me in others
- Be open minded to new ideas
- Don’t worry about what others think of me
- Always know both sides of an argument before taking a stand
- Always check the weather before I leave the house
- If a subway car is empty, there’s probably a good reason
- Write things down- memory will only get you so far
There are probably others, but these are the things I really try to do, sometimes with more success than others. I think it’s a good idea to have some sort of internal code of conduct. Sometimes we reach a crossroads, and it’s nice to have a little roadmap as to what we value: it helps us choose the next path.
So, it’s homework day: Think about your personal commandments. What’s the code you live by?
Your sound chillingly like mine, I have a real problem with number seven. I just wrote a piece about forgiveness on Medium last night you should really go check it out and you should write for Medium yourself! It was for a mini-writing challenge. There are so many publications to write for, I’m sure you would find a great fit. Personally I write for the weekly knob, the writing cooperative under the slack channel, the creative Café, sometimes on 100 naked words, just wherever someone asked me to really !
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I recently beat myself up about a number 7 related thing, and I got in a real funk for a few days. That’s the one I have the most trouble overcoming
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Me too! Someday I’m hoping I’ll get over it but not likely, lol. 😊
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I know. Also, still not finding your blog!!
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I like number 2 & 19. Yes, number 7 had me in a Spring funk the other day but then you have to let go. Enjoy the day.
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Thanks! You too!
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You have a lot of commandments. Mine, which I shared on my poll last week, seem puny in comparison. However, whatever works, works. 👍
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See, I didn’t think of Your as commandments since you did a poll. I thought if it more as an informal gathering of ideas and a pledge against whining……
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No, those ideas came from framed artwork that I see every day. My rules of life, so to speak. I was just asking people which idea seemed most important to them. Try it with your commandments, the comments were fascinating.
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Omg that’s right! I forgot they were on your wall!! I just kept thinking about whiners after your post she whined…….
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😄
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Good reminders, thank you!
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😉
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I wish more people would listen to each other, and not try to spin it to what they want to hear..
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I see that happening more and more. Things are so often being taken out of context . They see a particular word and make it about the word and not the idea
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that sounds a really good set of rules.
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I try…
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I love your list. We don’t have any subways here but I must temember not to overthink things!😄
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😀
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If I don’t write it down, it won’t happen. If I ain’t got nothing nice to say, keep my mouth shut. When driving, the best defense is a good offense.
(Ok, so that last one was a bit of twisted, sarcastic humor. Mostly)
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Love yours!
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Learn from mistakes don’t repeat them, don’t take myself so seriously, make time for fun in everyday, tell my kids and husband everyday that I love them, you never know when time is up. Live like a New Englander- take it as it comes. Lol
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Great list!!
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Anybody who can adhere to that list would be eminently qualified to stand in for Christ when he was on vacation. Personally, I didn’t score so well.
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Oh…I didn’t say I did these things…I just tell others to….😉
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Don’t lie would have to be one of my top commandments. Yours are terrific. Thanks for the reminders.
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Thank you!!
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Great list. The Serenity Prayer covers most things for me.
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We work with what works.
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1. Be Safe
2. Be Healthy
3. Be Happy
4. Don’t Be An A**hole
They may seem pretty simple, but they work for me. They especially help me when it comes to making really hard decisions with regards to being a parent. If my kids are doing, or want to do something that I’m not so sure about, I think about those guides, and if there is a conflict with any of those, then that something isn’t such a good idea. If that something doesn’t trigger one of those, then my reasons for saying no are more than likely not good reasons and I need to consider saying yes. Basically, they force me to stop and think, which is always a good thing.
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Anything that makes you stop and think. I guess that’s the biggest commandment…..think first.
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#5
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That’s a big one for me
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I’m sure I couldn’t come up with 20 without looking at your list. Thank heavens I don’t have to think of #19 any more!
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It’s funny, when I started to write, they just kept coming.
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It was an excellent list.
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I liked yours!!!
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Thanks!!
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Great list! You’ve got me thinking about making one of my own.
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You should!
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Especially love this one: “Remember that some people are not as smart as me in some ways, nor as dumb as me in others” and “If a subway car is empty, there’s probably a good reason”- great commandments 😉
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Thanks😀
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Being in the moment~even when in danger of being late to get somewhere…..
And, Only kindness matters, in the end
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So true
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You’re so much like me. 😛
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😉😉
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I love the subway car one. I learned that the hard way so many times when I lived in DC! – Marty
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Right? You really need to remember that one!
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Oh, I just started listening to her podcast! I like it!!
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Would that more would contemplate this, and maybe follow at least a few of your commandments. I know my list would ditto yours pretty closely.
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😀
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Mine are pretty much the same as yours, number 6 is a good one, I was a parent to my son and now he is an adult we are friends. Although I can still shut him up with a ‘MOMMY LOOK’ 😄
Another one I try to do is put myself in the other persons shoes.
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That’s a good one. Sometimes we have to think about what others are going through!
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Good List. I may steal a few. I definitely should try to make my own list. I think my #1 will be your #4—When in doubt, forgive. Then ask myself why I need that one so often. And to remember that it applies to myself, as well.
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So true!!
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I think it’s a good idea to have an actual moral code, although I’ve never really thought about it this way before. I agree with all of yours, so I may just print that off! (Except for the subway one, as we don’t have subways in St. Louis.) And I would add: “leave the world just a little bit better than you found it.”
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I like your addition!
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Treat others as you’d like to be treated, and carry out whatever garbage you bring. If we all lived like that, our world would be a happier place.
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Oh the garbage one is great. I need to add that!
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You wouldn’t believe how gross our town looks every spring from the litter.
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Gee….I live in nyc…..it’s ridiculous….
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you make good points up there, and i guess i live by many of them. but mostly, i always tell myself” don’t do the things you know you’ll regret later.
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Very true, though I err on the side of caution as a rule
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You always give me something to think about. Thanks for that.
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I try…😉
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😂😂 at 19.
I love your entire list! Such mature thinking and excellent qualities to possess. 😊
I try not to be judgmental of others. I try to be forgiving, and I strive to treat others with dignity and respect, especially the elderly.
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Well….I’m not always the most mature…..but thanks! Awesome additions to your list!
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Long list but thought provoking! #7 reminded me of the five regrets list – the importance of living your own life.
I also liked talking to people rule.
Comments were great to read also. If you want to read the five regrets Hughes use search on my page or I could email you the link
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Thanks! Will look for it!!
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