best advice you have ever been given that you live by (most days)

[waitaminutenow]

Going off another post....what is the best advice that you have received from parents (or anyone else really) advice that you live by and that you will pass on to your children/ friends etc.

Mine are;

1. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
2. Aim to have a wage that matches your age.

And

1. Always apologise for your part to play in arguments etc. Be the bigger person.

Can't say I always apologise but I do try.....hehe

Smile sweetly and do pinning of effigies behind closed doors.

"You're a long time dead", meaning life is short!

There but for the grace of God go I.

Stop looking forward and panicking about the future, live in the present.

Do not make someone a priority if they only make you an option.

Be grateful for what you have rather then lament what you do not, do not under-appreciate those who are there.

Go with your gut instinct/intuition on things. It's true for me, whenever I've ignored my gut on something/someone I've had problems.

Those who matter don't mind
Those who mind don't matter.
Bow your knee to no one but shake the hand of any.
What you do matters more than what you say.

Be sorry for what you have done not for what you haven't done.
Life is not a rehearsal.

Never count your money over a grid

Don't be afraid to say no.

Listen more than you speak ( you will learn more)

Don't envy others - just strive to do better

Appreciate your ' normal' life

I like that advice TheFear "just look at the clock, take a deep breath, put your head down and get on with it. In five minutes things will be different - better or worse but not the same." When I had undiagnosed PND a friend said similar to me "every day is different - just try to get through one day at a time".

I remember someone saying about trying to match your wage to your age and it's always made me feel a bit of a failure, there's no way on earth I'm likely to be earning £41k any time soon.

Never lend what you can't afford to give away

Don't forget to moisturize your neck and the backs of your hands

Don't keep moaning about something that doesn't suit you, do what you can to change it

Respect and value yourself

It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice

Give away and find for yourself a little bit of joy each day

Trust noone, which would be sad, but I translate it to mean keep your wits about you and don't be taken in

Better to regret something you did than something you didn't

Never trust a man with a combover. He is lying to himself, so he will lie to you

Listen more than you speak

translated in our house to 'you've got two ears, two eyes and only one mouth for a good reason'

I'm a real worrier by nature and can suffer quite badly from anxiety.

DH is excellent at dealing with this by looking me directly in the eye and asking me "is this going to matter in the morning/next week/next month etc?"

It really helps me to focus on what's important and try not to waste energy getting worked up on tiny little things.

From my mischevious grandma

"There are no pockets in a funeral shroud. "

And

"Don't worry about what you're wearing. Noone is going to be looking at you. They're all going to be looking at the bride. "

Probably has limited use, but it can help get your feet back on the ground.

Will this matter to me in 20 years?

Be true to yourself. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Respect is earned.

Life is short.

From my driving instructor - Make progress where you can.

Obviously this was meant for driving situations, but it came back to me when I had DS when DD was 15mo. I applied it to situations like being able to do a bit of housework, making dinner or actually managing a trip out somewhere. It meant I was trying to achieve things but not putting lots of pressure on myself. It was my mantra at this time and I'm so glad he said it to me.

Another is advice mum gave me when I couldn't sleep and I got wound up about not being able to function the next day - You're lying down in the dark - you're body is getting rest, you'll be fine. Removing the clock watching and worrying actually makes it easier to fall asleep (for me).

Don't eat yellow snow.

Approach everything you do like you're going to be successful.
And
You need to like yourself a LOT more than you need other people to like you.

Life is too short to stuff a mushroom.

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them." If someone acts out of character, then question what you think you know about them.

When times are rough, just make sure you sleep and eat. Just concentrate on those two things and everything else will work itself out

From a book, think it's to kill a mockingbird, walk in someone else's shoes before you judge them. (Words to that effect)

My mum - if you can't think of anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.