From the Dean at nursing school orientation:
“There is no tomorrow. Do it today.”
and
“The thing you’re dreading the most, do first.”
Also, from a therapist years ago when I was having self-esteem issues:
“Stop doing other people’s thinking for them.”
My dad When I was a kid and complaining about what an evil world it was. he said Compared to what.
The world is a big varied thing that I had given terms to. It wasnt the world it was me.
From my mom: “Always pee after sex” (This was given after I had my first UTI right around Thanksgiving a couple years back.)
You had sex with your mom? I’m all for doing your own thing, but I’m sorry’ that’s just plain wrong.
Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
Wisdom from Sondheim - it’s stuck with me many years, and I’ve passed it on to friends who were facing difficult times and were fighting the urge to just “run away” and leave all their lives and troubles behind…
Running away- let’s do it,
Free from the ties that bind.
No more depair
Or burdens to bear
Out there in the yonder.
Running away- go to it.
Where did you have in mind?
Have to take care:
Unless there’s a “where,”
You’ll only be wandering blind.
Just more questions.
Different kind.
… yeah. 
“Whoever’s the lesser in love is in charge of your relationship.”
Sounds reasonable, but in my case (that person was me), it didn’t work out that way.
I had a teacher who was a really great guy–he made an effort to get to know all of his students as friends. His catchphrase was “Just do it.” This found its way into every aspect of our class. It was his answer to everything. Later, I started to think of “Just do it” as my personal mantra. Sure, saying “Just do it” has gotten me into some crazy situations, but it’s also a reminder to have fun with life and take chances.
Of course, this was also the guy whose comment on a power outrage was “Whatever, we’re all gonna die anyway.”
“Just do one thing.” (When discussing being shut down by depression. This advice has brought me back from the brink countless times).
“Train your replacement.” (So they can promote you).
“You can’t kill time without injuring eternity.” (From a fortune cookie.)
My big lesson was learned when I was ten, after reading Julius Caesar:
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in out stars, but in ourselves.”
Meaning you have to take responsibilities for things, if you do them or the repurcussions of you don’t. Don’t blame fate or a higher power if something doesn’t go your way.
On a lighter note, something a friend said to me when I was recovering from a bad break-up that I have since shared with many:
“You can’t spell CLOSURE without LOSER.”
That basically sums up my entire life outlook, and it has served me very well.
Also, I still remember, way back when, when Johnny L.A. mentioned his story of auto sales. The mantra he learned, “treat everyone like they will die at midnight”, is how I’ve always felt about treating people. I just could never get into such a perfect little thought before.
(Now that I have mentioned it twice, I’ll be able to use it one more time. Hooray!)
“Don’t leave your country and go a thousand miles away to marry this woman. It’s a stupid idea. It’s immature of you and unfair to her, and you will regret it profoundly.”
I completely ignored this, did the opposite, and my life has never been better. I am reaping all the rewards of ignoring that advice, and where is Dr. Laura now? Does she even have a radio show anymore? That’s alright - I don’t care.
My mom always told me I should be polite to whomever I married. That was great advice and I’ve never understood why people are sometimes ruder to the people they love than to strangers in the street.
My high school history teacher, after listening to my girlfriend and I bitch and moan about some other girl, told us that the faults you find most annoying in others are often the ones that you dislike most about yourself. That comes to mind often when I’m really annoyed by someone and it’s almost always true. Thanks, Mr. Allison.
“Experience is what you have right after you need it.”
Always meant to me that experience comes with taking risks. Take no risks, gain no experience.
From a HS marching band instructor:
“Luck is what the people who didn’t practice call skill”
Carla’s husband picked her up from work, flowers in hand. They were going to dinner and then dancing.
I sighed “I want a husband who brings me flowers and takes me dancing”
" So marry one." She said.
Marry a man who likes to dance. Make sure he likes to dance and will take you. If he never brings you flowers, don’t marry him. Marry a man who does things you like. Marry a man who pleases you.
It was a door opening, a revelation.
I could have what I wanted if I would see the signs. We all must decide what’s important to us.
“Communicate without second-guessing” - Dr. Mark Grundy
“Don’t stress. Relax. Let life roll off your backs. Except for death or paying taxes, everything in life is only for now. Each time you smile, it will only last a while. Life may be scary, but it’s only temporary.”
that and:
About a year ago, I was upset for some reason I don’t even remember and I was venting to an older girl about it. I was taking a pretty defeatist “poor-me-my-life-sucks” attitude. Instead of just saying, “yeah, that sucks.” or “you were wronged!” or “poor thing!” she said…
“okay, so what are you going to do about it?”
snapped me right out of my self-pitying reverie and made me think, that did. Talking about something does’t do crap until you start thinking constructively. Now I try to keep that with me and when something happens I don’t think, “so, what happens now?” I think, “what can I do about it?”
And a third that I don’t follow as I should, but it does help to be reminded:
“it won’t matter in five years.”
Don’t waste today trying to make yesterday better.
“This too shall pass.” I don’t even remember where I first heard it, but it makes difficult situations seem less overwhelming and reminds me to thoroughly embrace enjoyable moments.
Also, “Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they’re yours.” from a Richard Bach book.
I try to remember this whenever it occurs to me that I’m not doing something because I don’t think I can. There is no surer path to defeat than claiming it.