With my daughter and almost-daughter graduating this year I decided to finally write down the hard-won lessons I have learned in my life and but them down in written form for them to hang onto as they start a new chapter in their life. They've heard these random ramblings since they were little and while they often rolled an eye or two over the years they both really appreciated the "gift" I made for them.
What lessons do you live by and what would you add to the list?
Here are my ramblings minus the personal father/daughter stuff...
The Tao of Haggis
Rule #1: Never pass up a chance to use a potty. It might be a long time until you see porcelain again.
Rule #2: To be truly happy you have to be willing to give up some of your own bliss to make someone else happy.
Rule #3: Be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in. Don’t let others dictate who you should be.
Rule #4: Always wear sensible shoes. It’s hard to run from a bear or kick a rabid coon’s head in while wearing flip-flops.
Rule#5: Those that don’t believe in anything stand for nothing and cannot be counted on in times of trouble and peril.
Rule #6: You can tell the most about a man by who his enemies are.
Rule#7: Never pass up a home cooked meal; especially one done by a rural grandmother.
Rule #8: All things in moderation, too much of anything leads to problems.
Rule#9: Be nice until its time not to be nice. Then be fierce in your actions.
Rule #10: Any job doing is worth doing well. Take pride in your work from the most humble of chores to the most important of responsibilities.
Rule #11: Question everything, but in a thoughtful not contrary manner.
Rule #12: Make a Promise keep a Promise. This builds a foundation of trust in all those whom you will deal with.
Rule #13: Take time just to enjoy the universe. Walk in the sun and feel the warmth, sit in the woods and watch life live, paddle the water and enjoy the flow.
Rule #14: Defend those that can’t defend themselves, guard those that are innocent and shield those that give of themselves. Do so in righteous fury and with practiced skill.
Rule #15: When the time comes for a family of your own be a parent first to your kids, a friend second. Friends come and go but being a parent is for life.
Rule #16: Pi is the answer to most questions; preferably strawberry rhubarb.
Rule #17: Beware the trendily dressed…it is often a disguise to hide who they truly are.
Rule #18: Surround yourself with family and friends that give freely and return that giving yourself. These folks will be your rock in an unruly torrent.
Rule #19: Hunt the forests, fish the waters, and grow from the dirt…be a part of nature and not just a spectator.
Rule #20: Beware of those that profess words of love yet treat you as a second thought; they are only seeking their own happiness with no concern for yours. Nothing good comes from this.
Rule #21: Anywhere you might find yourself, be mindful of your surroundings. Find three exits from every locale and locate four items that can be used offensively or for defense. A small dose of paranoia is conducive to a healthy and long life.
Rule #22: Be frugal in your spending and extravagant in your saving. You’ll work too hard and sacrifice much just to piddle your earnings away.
Rule #23: Don’t become a caricature to someone else’s perception of what you should be. Failure to heed this will lead to you being just a puppet in somebody else’s side show.
Rule #24: No…it’s one of the greatest words ever created and is not used enough these days. There comes a time when “No” is the best response to a lot of situations.
Rule #25: Trust your gut…it knows right from wrong and will guide you if you’re willing to listen to it and have faith in yourself.
Rule #26: When harvesting the creatures of the land, be merciful in your killing, use what you harvest to its greatest extent and be thankful of their sacrifice for your benefit.
Rule #27: Finish what you start and don’t expect someone else to finish it for you. You’re responsible for yourself.
Rule #28: Sarcasm is a form of martial art. A true master can skewer an opponent and they will never feel the fatal thrust.
Rule #29: Chimpanzees are Evil.
Rule #30: When you must fight…fight to win. Fight with fierceness and cunning, withholding mercy until the fighting ends.
Rule #31: It is better to dis-hand than dis-arm.
Rule #32: Be sober…drink and drugs enslave body and mind and are the ruin of many a soul.
Rule #33: Don’t succumb to the pressures of others; they often want to drag you down to their own level of hell instead of trying to lift you up from it.
Rule #34: Your mother loves you and most likely knows best. Disregarding her advice could be detrimental to you.
Rule #35: When travelling, pack a lunch. You never know where you might end up.
Rule #36: Once employed work hard for your employer, it’s what you are getting paid for after all and reflects well on you. This brings honor onto you whether your employer appreciates it or not.
Rule #37: In any confrontation be assertive and aggressive, it lets you control the situation and limits possible damage to yourself.
Rule #38: Walk with Purpose. Folks tend not to mess with a person doing so and you’ll get more done in your day.
Rule #39: Be forthright with all you deal with but be gentle doing so in sensitive situations. People will know that they can count on you and will trust your opinions more when you’re honest.
Rule #40: Don’t be quick to give your trust to anyone. While it’s good to expect the best of the folks you will meet don’t be too quick to give your trust. A dose of skepticism can guard your interests well until people prove their worth.
Rule #41: Beware the Evangelist whether they be of the religious, social, scientific, or of the atheist bent. They often twist truth to their own perceptions and have no thought of things beyond their own vision and agenda.
Rule #42: Baking is good for the soul and more importantly it makes my belly happy.
Rule #43: Don’t let your desires overtake good sense. Put what you need before what you want and life will be simpler.
Rule #44: Remember the Golden Rule, you know, the whole do on to others stuff…it’s an oldie but a goodie.
Rule #45: Don’t let your emotions overrule your common sense. Emotions are a flighty bunch and can be unreliable in the clutch.
Rule #46: When you find yourself in a leadership position, lead by example. Don’t expect anybody to follow you if you aren’t willing to do it yourself.
Rule #47: Look behind you often….there’s more than likely some nefarious person sneaking up on you even as you read this.
What lessons do you live by and what would you add to the list?
Here are my ramblings minus the personal father/daughter stuff...
The Tao of Haggis
Rule #1: Never pass up a chance to use a potty. It might be a long time until you see porcelain again.
Rule #2: To be truly happy you have to be willing to give up some of your own bliss to make someone else happy.
Rule #3: Be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe in. Don’t let others dictate who you should be.
Rule #4: Always wear sensible shoes. It’s hard to run from a bear or kick a rabid coon’s head in while wearing flip-flops.
Rule#5: Those that don’t believe in anything stand for nothing and cannot be counted on in times of trouble and peril.
Rule #6: You can tell the most about a man by who his enemies are.
Rule#7: Never pass up a home cooked meal; especially one done by a rural grandmother.
Rule #8: All things in moderation, too much of anything leads to problems.
Rule#9: Be nice until its time not to be nice. Then be fierce in your actions.
Rule #10: Any job doing is worth doing well. Take pride in your work from the most humble of chores to the most important of responsibilities.
Rule #11: Question everything, but in a thoughtful not contrary manner.
Rule #12: Make a Promise keep a Promise. This builds a foundation of trust in all those whom you will deal with.
Rule #13: Take time just to enjoy the universe. Walk in the sun and feel the warmth, sit in the woods and watch life live, paddle the water and enjoy the flow.
Rule #14: Defend those that can’t defend themselves, guard those that are innocent and shield those that give of themselves. Do so in righteous fury and with practiced skill.
Rule #15: When the time comes for a family of your own be a parent first to your kids, a friend second. Friends come and go but being a parent is for life.
Rule #16: Pi is the answer to most questions; preferably strawberry rhubarb.
Rule #17: Beware the trendily dressed…it is often a disguise to hide who they truly are.
Rule #18: Surround yourself with family and friends that give freely and return that giving yourself. These folks will be your rock in an unruly torrent.
Rule #19: Hunt the forests, fish the waters, and grow from the dirt…be a part of nature and not just a spectator.
Rule #20: Beware of those that profess words of love yet treat you as a second thought; they are only seeking their own happiness with no concern for yours. Nothing good comes from this.
Rule #21: Anywhere you might find yourself, be mindful of your surroundings. Find three exits from every locale and locate four items that can be used offensively or for defense. A small dose of paranoia is conducive to a healthy and long life.
Rule #22: Be frugal in your spending and extravagant in your saving. You’ll work too hard and sacrifice much just to piddle your earnings away.
Rule #23: Don’t become a caricature to someone else’s perception of what you should be. Failure to heed this will lead to you being just a puppet in somebody else’s side show.
Rule #24: No…it’s one of the greatest words ever created and is not used enough these days. There comes a time when “No” is the best response to a lot of situations.
Rule #25: Trust your gut…it knows right from wrong and will guide you if you’re willing to listen to it and have faith in yourself.
Rule #26: When harvesting the creatures of the land, be merciful in your killing, use what you harvest to its greatest extent and be thankful of their sacrifice for your benefit.
Rule #27: Finish what you start and don’t expect someone else to finish it for you. You’re responsible for yourself.
Rule #28: Sarcasm is a form of martial art. A true master can skewer an opponent and they will never feel the fatal thrust.
Rule #29: Chimpanzees are Evil.
Rule #30: When you must fight…fight to win. Fight with fierceness and cunning, withholding mercy until the fighting ends.
Rule #31: It is better to dis-hand than dis-arm.
Rule #32: Be sober…drink and drugs enslave body and mind and are the ruin of many a soul.
Rule #33: Don’t succumb to the pressures of others; they often want to drag you down to their own level of hell instead of trying to lift you up from it.
Rule #34: Your mother loves you and most likely knows best. Disregarding her advice could be detrimental to you.
Rule #35: When travelling, pack a lunch. You never know where you might end up.
Rule #36: Once employed work hard for your employer, it’s what you are getting paid for after all and reflects well on you. This brings honor onto you whether your employer appreciates it or not.
Rule #37: In any confrontation be assertive and aggressive, it lets you control the situation and limits possible damage to yourself.
Rule #38: Walk with Purpose. Folks tend not to mess with a person doing so and you’ll get more done in your day.
Rule #39: Be forthright with all you deal with but be gentle doing so in sensitive situations. People will know that they can count on you and will trust your opinions more when you’re honest.
Rule #40: Don’t be quick to give your trust to anyone. While it’s good to expect the best of the folks you will meet don’t be too quick to give your trust. A dose of skepticism can guard your interests well until people prove their worth.
Rule #41: Beware the Evangelist whether they be of the religious, social, scientific, or of the atheist bent. They often twist truth to their own perceptions and have no thought of things beyond their own vision and agenda.
Rule #42: Baking is good for the soul and more importantly it makes my belly happy.
Rule #43: Don’t let your desires overtake good sense. Put what you need before what you want and life will be simpler.
Rule #44: Remember the Golden Rule, you know, the whole do on to others stuff…it’s an oldie but a goodie.
Rule #45: Don’t let your emotions overrule your common sense. Emotions are a flighty bunch and can be unreliable in the clutch.
Rule #46: When you find yourself in a leadership position, lead by example. Don’t expect anybody to follow you if you aren’t willing to do it yourself.
Rule #47: Look behind you often….there’s more than likely some nefarious person sneaking up on you even as you read this.
