Some Rules for Living/A Credo for March 2009

This is a follow-up to a post I made awhile ago about writing credos. Here's a list of rules for myself. These are subject to change by the second. Maybe you have a few rules for yourself? Beliefs? It's a good idea to write them down occassionally - touch base with yourself, who you are, and see how you've changed over the years.

Some Rules for Living/A Credo for March 2009

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
~ E.E. Cummings

If you feel compelled to hug someone, do it
and put your whole self into that hug.

If you feel like punching someone, think about it.
Chances are, you won’t want to later. Maybe.

The same is true for shopping impulses –
do you really need that 24 pack of ShamWOWs?

Think, then think some more.

Turn off your television, your computer,
throw the phone in the hamper under
the stinky towels and think.

Allow your thoughts to drift into daydreams.
Write down what you dream.

When you see someone enjoy creating art,
or reading, cooking, throwing a ball –
encourage them.

Do not abuse squirrels, children, the elderly,
geese at the park (even though they will chase you).

Wear clothes you feel comfortable in –
they are your socially acceptable skin.
If they aren’t stylish by today’s standards,
good.

Forgive yourself. You’ll do better next time.

Weave cloth, make paper, assemble a book,
milk a cow, help build a house –
at least once in your lifetime.

If crossword puzzles give you headaches,
stop doing them.

Make eye contact when someone
is speaking to you.

Don’t fake listening.
It will come back to haunt you.

It’s ok if you want to try to glue
ice together – just don’t count on it
making a good house.

Count your money. Keep what you need
to pay your bills and eat, then give
the rest away.

Get dirt under your fingernails.

Witness a birth.

Do something that scares you.

Lay out on the lawn in the summer at night
with a friend and look at the stars.

Write letter of praise and complaint
when they are due.

Attend the funeral.

Don’t cheat when you’re playing a game.

You will lose and you will win
and you should have fun with both.

Take walks in February
just to smell the ground thaw.

Do the laundry and don’t whine about it.

If you’re going to go to the trouble
to bake a birthday cake for someone
you love, make it from scratch.

Pay attention to the way
professionals do things –
a locksmith replacing a lock
is just as much a virtuoso
as an opera singer.

Talk to the cab driver.

Consider your own mortality,
but don’t dwell on it.

You have a talent
and a responsibility to find it.

Share your ideas!
They are not doing the world any good locked up
for safekeeping in the attic of your ego.

Travel to a place where you don’t understand the language
so you can remember what learning a language is like.

Don’t wear sandals or high heels on a hike.

Share the flowers from your garden
with your neighbors.

Sometimes it's hard to love your neighbor
especially when they are peeking into
your bedroom window. See Rule #2.

Do not develop strange, sentimental
attachments to things like cacti.

Get up early and write.

Not all of your ideas are original –
you have to learn from others first.

Kids say better what adults
struggle over.

It is possible to have too many
rules for yourself.

It is impossible to have too many chocolate chips.

- Jennifer Hill