Back in 1991, author H. Jackson Brown published a book entitled Life's Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life. It was a small book, each page containing a single nugget of wisdom. They were written by Brown to his son upon graduating from school. So you can imagine that, when I graduated high school in 1992, Life's Little Instruction Book was a hot little graduation gift. I received multiple copies.
Interestingly, the other day I looked everywhere and couldn't find a single copy in my house. Fortunately I was able to find quite a few samples on the internet. Here are some of my favorites, taken from the website http://www.flatrock.org.nz.
- Accept a breath mint if someone offers you one.
- In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
- Accept the fact that regardless of how many times you're right, you will sometimes be wrong.
- Don't confuse comfort with happiness.
- Check for toilet paper before sitting down.
- Marry a woman you love to talk to. As you get older, her conversational skills will be as important as any other.
- Never say anything uncomplimentary about your wife or children in the presence of others.
- Every once in a while ask yourself the question, If money weren't a consideration, what would I like to be doing?
- Never eat a sugared doughnut when wearing a dark suit.
- Love someone who doesn't deserve it.