Thursday Thirteen Edition #6

Thirteen Philosophies by Which I Try to Live My Life

1. Life isn’t fair and nobody ever said it would be, especially my mother. But there is Karma . . . what goes around will definitely come around. Hearing later about how it played out is just icing on the cake.

2. Hating someone or holding a grudge has no impact on the person who wronged you, but eats away at your own soul, so fuhgetaboutit and move on to something healthy, positive, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Besides, see #1.

3. Despite the tendency to believe that “it’s all about me,” it really isn’t. Remember that and watch your outlook improve.

4. Arguing is fun for lawyers. It’s not so much fun for nonlawyers and some nonlawyers actually dislike doing it. They also take it personally (see #3). So, as my buddy, Clint Ritchie, reminds me, “Honey, let ’em up” — once in awhile, anyway. Agree to disagree and move on.

5. You can’t change the past no matter how much you would like to, so don’t waste your energy regretting it.

6. Other people’s lives may look perfect from your vantage point, but you don’t have any true idea of what their journey through this life is all about. Remember how often you have been shocked when you learned things about other people’s lives and life experiences.

7. In all things, give thanks.

8. Skip the pity party. It simply isn’t productive. Or pretty.

“If I regret it long or hard enough, can I go back and change it? No? Then fuhgetaboutit.” (JHSEsq.)

9. Burn the candles, use the good linens, wear the expensive perfume, go out to dinner, take a vacation, remodel the house . . . otherwise, your kids will enjoy your nice stuff and spend your money after you’re gone.

10. The only person who can make you feel any emotion is you. Own it!

11. In the face of disaster, ask yourself, “Five years from now, will anybody care?” The answer is probably “no” so it just isn’t as big a deal as you originally thought.

12. Be strong in your convictions and beliefs, but embracing, welcoming and respectful of those who have different convictions and beliefs. We can all learn from each other.

13. Don’t worry about what other people think of you because, in all likelihood, they aren’t thinking anything about you. (See #3.)

Bonus items:

“You need a very strong will in order to adopt the Four Agreements — but if you can begin to live your life with these agreements, the transformation in your life will be amazing.”

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.