A Fathers Instructions for Life Condensed from Lifes Little Instruction Book H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (Readers Digest, September 1992, pp. 129-137) YEARS AGO, I read that it was the responsibility of parents not to pave the road for their children, but to provide a road map. So, as my son, Adam, prepared to leave for college, I jotted down a few words of counsel and put them in a dime-store binder. After his mother and I had helped him move into his dorm, I presented him with the bound pages. A few days later, Adam called me. Dad, he said, the book is one of the best gifts Ive ever received. Im going to add to it and someday give it to my son. Every once in a while life hands you a moment so precious, so overwhelming, that you almost glow. I had just experienced one. Here are the words I gave him. Compliment three people each day. Watch a sunrise at least once a year: Overtip breakfast waitresses. Look people in the eye. Say thank you a lot. Say please a lot. Live beneath your means. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards. Treat everyone you meet as you want to be treated. Donate two pints of blood every year. Make new friends but cherish the old ones. Keep secrets. Dont waste time learning the tricks of the trade. Instead, learn the trade. Admit your mistakes. Be brave. Even if youre not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. Choose a charity in your community and support it generously with your time and money. Read the Bill of Rights. Use credit cards only for convenience, never for credit. Never cheat. Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all he or she has. Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage. Never take action when youre angry. Have good posture. Enter a room with purpose and confidence. Dont discuss business in elevators. You never know who may overhear you. Never pay for work before its completed. Be willing to lose a battle in order to win the war. Dont gossip. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose. When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail. If youre going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce. Dont spread yourself too thin. Learn to say no politely and quickly. Dont expect life to be fair. Never underestimate the power of forgiveness. Instead of using the word problem, try substituting the word opportunity. Never walk out on a quarrel with your wife. Regarding furniture and clothes: if you think youll be using them five years or longer, buy the best you can afford. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your fife, youll regret the things, you didnt do more than the ones you did. Forget committees. New, noble, world-changing ideas always come from one person working alone. 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. Wage war against littering. After encountering inferior service, food or products, bring it to the attention of the person in charge. Good managers will appreciate knowing. Dont procrastinate. Do what needs doing when it needs to be done. Get your priorities straight. No one ever said on his deathbed, Gee, if Id only spent more time at the office. Dont be afraid to say I dont know. Dont be afraid to say Im sorry. Make a list of 25 things you want to experience before you die. Carry it in your wallet and refer to it often. Call your mother.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 01:28:08 +0000