Your word is the only thing you have. If you make statements that you don’t carry out you will not be believed when it is very important. Think carefully when you say something and if you define a cause and effect (”If you leave, I’ll never talk to you again”) be prepared to make good on the threat.

Therefore it is important to think carefully, word carefully and leave yourself an out (”If you leave now, I won’t talk to you until you apologize.”)

If you do this consistently, then when you do talk people will pay attention, and as a bonus you will be more precise in your communication and less reactionary.

This usually involves sex, but could also include a multitude of unsavory activities. Mostly it means don’t do things that might effect you negatively close to home. For instance, don’t sleep with the daughter of an important client. Don’t steal from a friend.

Don’t get greedy. If the risk is too high, pull out. It is better to make several smaller scores then get busted on one bigger one.

Aka… Life begins today.

Is the glass half empty or half full? The glass simply is. Play the hand you are dealt. Enjoy life as it is, don’t waste life wishing it were different, or waiting for something to change..

I have a lot of trouble remembering this one.

Aka… Know what battles not to fight.

Sometimes it is better to walk away. Know when a battle is going to cost you more than winning is worth.

Aka… Don’t take things for granted

This occurs most often with family, friends and associates. Just because someone has taken it upon themselves to do something repeated, does not give you the right to get upset if they suddenly decide they no longer wish to. For example: the office worker that always brings the donuts, the family member that always sets the table. If they decide not to, do not be angry remember to be grateful for the favor they saw fit to grant for that time period. This extends to larger issues like relationships and Government “entitlements” as well.

It is human nature to feel neglected, slighted or wronged in these situation, but really you are just pissing on the past favors - and if you can manage that mental manipulation you will be much happier and more grateful for what is around.

Aka… You reap what you sow

Aka… Kindness is it’s own reward

Aka… Kindness begets kindness

Flipside… The downward Spiral

When you are happy with your life, it is easy to eliminate or reduce envy and bitterness. Without envy it is natural to do the little things that promote harmony and peace in those around you. With peace in your environment you will become happy.

The only trick is this cycle is starting the ball rolling. You can do that at any time.

Aka… Know your worth.

Set a fair price for your product or service and then strive to produce the best produce or offer the best service, but do not negotiate on the price. If they are not willing to meet the price then your product needs to be improved.

We are lucky if in this world there are one or two people we truly trust at our backs. Treat these people as if they are yourself. When they need you be there even if it is a sacrifice. Be generous; give them the better end of the deal. In life all that really matters is family and friends.

Aka… Don’t let your stuff rule you

Aka… Your worth is in you.

Nothing you can buy is worth sweating about. If it gets damaged or stolen, not matter what it cost, how hard you worked for it, or how irreplaceable it seems at the moment, it is just stuff. Don’t let your life be dragged down worrying about the state of your stuff. If you lose something, or it is stolen, let it go, don’t waste time dwelling on it (this is very closely related to “Don’t pay for it twice”)

Money really doesn’t buy happiness. Enough money for freedom and security is all you need. Beyond that it can begin to run your life, rather than freeing you to enjoy your life as you want.

This also extends to the idea “Why pay for it twice?” People will buy things and be unhappy with them but still continue to stick with them and use them because they paid for them. In my mind this is paying for something twice, once in cash, and once in unhappiness and inconvenience. Stuff is just stuff, like excess money, it is only as important as the happiness and security it brings. It is not important by itself.

This is the flipside of ‘Don’t fuck with trucks’. Some battles you have to fight, regardless of the cost, if the result of not fighting the fight reduces the quality of your world and lowers the enjoyment of life for those you care about.

Some people are very unhappy and do what they can to stop those around them from being happy. Do whatever it takes to remove these people from your environment.

Aka… Chance favors the prepared mind.

Aka… What you don’t know can hurt you.

Aka… Prepare for the X-Factor

Aka… The early worm gets eaten by the bird.

Think through conventional wisdom. Everything has a flipside. See things from all angles and plan accordingly. Always, always, always have several contingency plans, as the universe has an infinite number of surprises up its sleeve.

(The title is stolen from an Spider Robinson novel. Felons commit felonies. Irons commit ironies. God is an Iron.)