I live by a colloquial set of arbitrary rules for my life… as I remember one, I’ll put it here. It’s all in good fun, right?! But really, it’s great advice.
1. Never leave the house without a Sharpie.
A funny story about this one. My friend/college roommate, Philip, was at the anual Shaohanna’s Hope benefit dinner, when they opened their gift bags. Inside was one of Steven Curtis Chapman’s CDs, and Phil thought it’d be a good gift. So, he went to ask SCC for an autograph, but he didn’t have a Sharpie, only a pen. Philip pulled the marker out of his pocket and quoted me on this rule: “Canaan said to never leave the house without one.” He got the autograph, and there you have it. You never know when you’ll need a Sharpie.
2. Stay Hydrated.
Simply enough, you’ll feel a LOT better all the time if you drink enough water. Cut out pop and beer or whatever you drink. Water is deathly important, and you should drink enough each day for your body to function. (See this link: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283)
3. There’s always a reason to smile!
After all, we are alive, right? We’ve been given breath, will, feelings, dreams, hopes, and a whole lot more that I could go on and on and on with all day! Our lives are but a vapor, here and gone, so you might as well contemplate what there is to smile about while you’re here. Love, food, Tetris, puppies, friends, your family, jokes, or anything that makes you smile, then smile. Remember that just because you aren’t smiling doesn’t mean you’re not happy, just be realistic and smile when there’s need!
4. Don’t deny anyone an opportunity to give/care/experience.
You’ll never know who’s watching you, thinking about you, wondering what you’re up to, or excited to see where you’re going. Let people buy into your vision of life and experience it. Don’t be a self-promoter, but also don’t sit back and expect others to come to you. Put yourself out there, make your work visible. Be known to everyone you meet. And always, always smile.
5. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Lighten up. None of us are in control as much as we like to think we are. We make our plans, but then those plans are subjected to someone who knows a whole lot more than you, is a whole lot bigger than you, and has always been. Trust Him, and have fun.
Related to this one…
6. Don’t take things too personally.
Generally, and I mean 99% of the time, people don’t intend things to be taken personally. No, they don’t hate you, aren’t upset with you, aren’t mad, in a bad mood, out to get you, etc. That’s just how it is. Agree, disagree, or whatever, and move on…
7. Keep moving forward!
You may laugh at me for my inspiration for this one, but children’s movies have great outlooks! Do you know the animated movie Robots? Bigweld’s main catchphrase was “keep moving forward.” Press on, keep driving, dig in deep, and hold on tight, but no matter what, keep moving. Don’t waste time and energy getting soft and sappy, wallowing in your own self-woe. Fall down seven times? Stand up eight!
(last update: 12/22/09)
