Simple lessons you have learned. And they have stayed with you all your life.

Advice to future pilots that also applies to anyone operating any vehicle: Whatever else happens, fly the plane.

And: Don’t let your plane take you anyone your brain didn’t get to first.

I liked what my first flight instructor told me: He said, if you ever look out the window and see something you don’t like, or something that scares you… Stop looking out the window.

Live for today. That’s what attracted me to paganism.

You do not have to live your whole life today. Just concentrate on getting through today. When that seems impossible, concentrate on getting through the next hour. And when that seems impossible, concentrate on getting through the next five minutes.

ETA: And find three good things that happen every day. I don’t mean jumping up and down Happy Dance things, just good things. Right now at my elbow I have four books I took off of the library’s free book shelf. And I got my holiday bonus check from work in my purse. And the weather has warmed up so that most of the ice and snow is gone, making walking much easier.

See! Three good things.

A stitch in time saves nine, perhaps?

I’m pretty sure I read this on the Dope quite a while ago and it has stayed with me:

(boss to worker): “I need this soon. So don’t rush.”
mmm

  1. Don’t believe a boy when he tells you he loves you before you’ve slept with him. He’s either lying to you or to himself.

  2. An apology costs nothing, and can make all sorts of prickly situations much easier.

  3. Two things don’t make a list. You need a third. :slight_smile:

Which is pretty much nothing because the interest on savings accounts is somewhere between “nothing” and “inflation” at the moment. :stuck_out_tongue:

People may not remember what you said, and they may not remember what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

Whenever dealing with anyone who has some sort of authority over you, be very nice to them.

If you’re complaining about a product or a service that you’ve bought, acknowledge to the person you’re speaking to that it is NOT THEIR FAULT, and that you know they will do their best to seek resolution.

Same with any sort of governmental agency…smile, be nice, and they will bend over backwards to help you resolve your issue. The minute you get narky, you’ve lost every bargaining tool you might have had.

I’m middle-aged now and have NEVER had a bad experience when seeking restitution and/or advice.

:slight_smile:

Don’t run home crying to one’s mother after teasing a stick wielding crazy lady.

Always save a backup.

There’s always something to do. Boredom is entirely avoidable.

People are more creative and imaginative than they give themselves credit for - it’s just often the case that their interesting ideas don’t coincide with free time to pursue them.

The solution (well, the one I use) is simple - write lists - if you have an idea, write it on a list - you don’t need to worry any more about remembering it or finding the time to do it - just wait until you’re bored, then consult your list and find an idea that fits the free time you have available, and do it.

Because they’re missing steps. In Ed’s case, back when he was 15 he missed the time spent saying goodbyes, between “OK, I have to go” and actually getting out the door; now he forgets to account for time spent getting the kids and wife moving. And since his wife is equally bad, the rest of the family has learned to account for their being late.

Don’t make messes other people have to clean up.

Both literally and philosophically.

One we should all be familiar with:

Don’t be a jerk. Especially when someone is being a jerk to you. I struggle with this one, but I’m trying.

He who laughs lasts.

Keep your head and your heart in the world in which you *actually *live; not the one you wish you did.

Hexagram 57: The Gentle (Penetrating, Wind)

Six at the beginning means:
In advancing and in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.

In born gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness. One does
not feel strong enough to advance resolutely. A thousand doubts crop up; one
is, however, not minded to withdraw but drifts indecisively to and fro. In
such a situation, a military decisiveness is the proper thing, so that one
resolutely does what order demands. Resolute discipline is far better than
irresolute license.

A little bit of 3500 year old advice. :slight_smile:

I have an “ideas” file on my phone. A lot of those are “Things to do when I retire”.

Now you tell me – I just stood in line all morning to renew my irresolute license.

I always ask my computer graphics students “Does that file exist only one place in teh universe?”
(Oh, I warn them the first day of class “I’m your worst nightmare: a Dad. So I’m full of bad jokes and good advice.”)

From my dad: Never give a second chance to a man who strikes you. He will be sorry, but he will do it again. Walk away.

From a management manual I was given when taking on my first managerial assignment: Always stand up for your direct reports. And don’t assess blame, unless the miscreant is obvious or admits his culpability. Focus on moving forward and learning from any mistakes made.

And from my activist grandmother: Never tolerate a bullying situation. Speak up for the victim.