Abraham Lincoln was often criticized for trying to make friends with his enemies instead of trying to get rid of them. He replied, “Isn’t that what I’m doing when I make an enemy a friend?
All the events of your past have formed a lens, or paradigm, through which you see the world. And since no one’s past is exactly like anyone else’s, no two people see alike.
One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is to help them find their talents.
Listening can heal wounds.
Strong minds talk about ideas; weak minds talk about people.
Instead of trying to blend in and be like everyone else, be proud of and celebrate your unique differences and qualities. A fruit salad is delicious precisely because each fruit maintains its own flavor.
If you’re planning on dropping out of high school, prepare yourself for the future by repeating aloud each day: ‘I’m looking forward to low-paying jobs for the rest of my life.’
Being gentle means forgiving yourself when you mess up. We should learn from our mistakes, but we shouldn’t beat the tar out of ourselves over them. The past is just that, past. Learn what went wrong and why. Make amends if you need to. Then drop it and move on.
The following is a list of statements made many years ago by experts in their fields. At the time they were said they sounded intelligent. With the passing of time, they sound idiotic.
You should see my baby pictures. My cheeks hung off my face like water balloons. You can imagine how often I was teased.
Don’t let your pride or a lack of courage stand in the way of saying you’re sorry to people you may have offended.
These problems are real, and you can’t turn off real life. So I won’t try. Instead, I’ll give you a set of tools to help you deal with real life.
I like how Mother Teresa put it: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile.” If you approach life this way, always looking for ways to build instead of to tear down, you’ll be amazed at how much happiness you can give to others and find for yourself.
Whenever you have a job to do ask yourself two questions. If not now, when? If not by me, by whom?
For a moment, imagine the person you hope to marry. What do they look like? Are they funny, intelligent, kind? How do you hope they are living their life right now? Would it bother you if you knew they were hooking up each weekend or had five, ten, or fifteen different partners over the past several years? Or would it make you smile if you knew they were holding out for you? Why not live your life as you would want them to live theirs? Wait for the relationship.
Our confidence needs to come from within, not without. From the quality of our hearts, not the quantity of things we own. After all, he who dies with the most toys... still dies.
It’s all about how you feel, not how you look.
When you’re choosing someone to date, what’s the first thing you notice about them? Their personality? Right – let’s get real. The first thing you go for is their looks. You can’t help it. Being attracted to someone is where it all starts, but there is so much more to a person than looks.
Remember, very few of us wind up marrying the people we date in high school. So even though you may be convinced your current boyfriend or girlfriend is the one, they most likely aren’t.
It is OK to be a little selfish about my priorities.