Little rules you live by

[ladybee28]

Discussing this with a couple of friends the other day – the tiny 'rules for life' you've picked up or developed along the way, that aren't fundamental principles of being a decent person, but that do make life better.

Some of theirs:

• "If you can do it in less than 2 minutes, do it immediately"
• "Never say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face"
• "If you're going to say hello to the dog, say hello to the owner."
• "Open a window first thing in the morning, no matter what the weather."

A few of mine:

• "When someone (rightly) corrects you, say thank you." (This has transformed the way I feel about learning the language in my new country)

• "Wherever possible, replace the word 'but' with the word 'and'." (For example, "I love my sister, AND she drives me mental sometimes." Or "I'd love to try public speaking, AND I'm really scared.")

• "If you think a compliment, open your mouth and let it out."

What are some of yours?

Stop talking - and listen.
I know how frustrating I find it when someone else is droning on without pausing for breath and try not to be that person.

If in doubt......don't.

I always think about this if I'm wavering about anything

“if it suits the wearer, bugger the starer”

So you want that tattoo, or to wear that funky coloured hat or unusual skirt but You worry what other might think or say.

@Whatsitlike

Your “if in doubt.... don’t”

Is the exact opposite of the saying

“But what if I fall?..... “ah yes, but what if you fly”

I have a ‘would I feel like a fool explaining this in A&E’ test. As in, if I go in with a child who fell off their bike, that’s just something that could happen to anyone. If I went in having fallen of a step stool balanced in the bath while changing a lightbulb in the dark in my underwear, then I’d feel pretty silly explaining it.

Let the small stuff wash over you. Most of it isn't important.

Treat others how you would like to be treated yourself.

Follow your own path. It doesn't matter what people think of you or expect of you as long as you're doing the right thing.

Never trust someone who has changed the football team they support as an adult. If they can't be faithful to a football team...

If you've nothing nice to say, say nothing.

If the words you say were written on your body, would they look nice.

Before you speak: Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true.

Oh and watch for people who don't clap when you succeed.

Pay close attention to the people who don't clap when you win

&

Comparison is the thief of joy

&

Do as you would be done by

Choose your battles

I heard this once and have adopted it - Don’t stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.

Pick your battles
Lick the frog

If people are mean towards you, it is more of a reflection in them than on you.

Dont worry about the things you cant change and do something about the things you can change.

Nobody's right if everybody's wrong (pinched that from Buffalo Springfield ;) )

Someone thinks your the evil one.
Also be kind.

LOVE this thread.

I have suffered from intrusive thought anxiety all my life, but my mum taught me two maxims that I repeat over and over again until I start feeling better.

“Thoughts do not influence outcomes, only actions.”

“I will not put off preparations for the probable just because of the possible.”

Also my first boss taught me a business rule that has stood me in good stead for nearly 30 years: “Underpromise and over deliver.”

Be the bigger person
No such thing as a stupid question (I deal with a lot of newbies at work)
Never start eating popcorn until the actual film has started

Mine are
Being right is not always right
and
Being jealous of someone beautiful will not make you more beautiful

And be kind - classic and simple.

Life is better than the alternative - it's my version of 'seize the day'.

Smile. If people are well disposed towards you, it makes them like you even more. If they aren't, it annoys the hell out of them.

Never be afraid to kiss your dog.

Try not to contribute to animal suffering (vegetarian & vegan household)

Leave a place (woods/beach) as if we'd never been there - unless it's a beach clean obviously!!

Put the dishwasher & washing machine on daily!

Do something useful while the kettle boils.

Less is more.

Great idea for a thread. I have a three minute rule at work - if something will take less than three minutes to do, just do it. This particularly applies to emails so I tend to open them and reply immediately unless it is something more time consuming.

I’ve thought of another one.

Be like my dogs.

They’re not afraid to spend the day relaxing and napping.

They also love exercising, for the sheer joy of moving their bodies. They stretch, go on long walks, run, jump - and look so happy doing it!

They love a party. If I walk into a room and start dancing, they are 100% guaranteed to join in, no questions asked. They love others’ happiness.

If I’m sad, they’ll come and sit beside me, and just be there. It’s so comforting.

They love with devotion, and they instantly forgive if I make a mistake. No grudges.

They can sometimes be a little bit naughty. Never a bad idea.

Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Don't be a dick 😁

Only complain about something if it genuinely matters.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

I have perfectionism/procrastination tendencies so it's very important for me to try to remember this one!