Mantras

[bjarvis]

bigfundrew posted here about personal mantras. Thinking more about them, I've composed my own list:

• Details are important: ignore them at your peril.
  
• Plan your future but be flexible about it.
  
• There are no fairy godmothers: if you want something to happen, make it happen.
  
• Be open to opportunity and new experiences.
  
• Forgive if you wish, but never forget. This isn't about keeping score, it's about not making the same mistake twice.
  
• Never make the same mistake twice but make allowances for new ones periodically... there's value even in failing.
  
• Don't automatically ascribe maliciousness to the actions of others. Cluelessness is usually the cause.
  
• Once is cluelessness, twice is coincidence but three times is license to burn their village to the ground. I'm still working on this one, okay?
  
• Stop & smell the roses, but remember to watch for thorns and bees.
  
• Don't get upset about the thorns and bees... they were here before you and they have a purpose as much as you do.
  
• Winning the race doesn't mean setting new speed records: it merely means moving faster than the others. Just be sure it's worthwhile first. And don't gloat.
  
• Cheating sucks. Don't do it.
  
• Learn from others, both their failures and successes.
  
• The world is 95% followers and 5% leaders. Sticking your neck out periodically will earn you vastly more friends than rivals or detractors.
  
• Retreating periodically for personal time is fine.
  
• Someone else's goals and priorities may not be yours. Help where you can, but remember to tend to your own.
  
• You can fix stupid, but only if it's your own. Work on that daily.
  
• Be the example you wish you had when you were a kid.
  

Comments

[bigfundrew.livejournal.com]

oh wow
YES!
Stop and smell the freakin roses!

that's a big one for me.

and your list is great.

[pharmbear.livejournal.com]

I thought you said "stop and smell the foreskins"

which is of course excellent advice

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

LOVELY! (even the village burning) this says a great amount about your world-view and your attitude. Adorability factor gazillion.

(smart is reallllllly sexy)

[pklexton.livejournal.com]

I like this meme and if I have time will post about it.

Of yours, I especially appreciated:

You can fix stupid, but only if it's your own. Work on that daily.

and

The world is 95% followers and 5% leaders. Sticking your neck out periodically will earn you vastly more friends than rivals or detractors.

The first one because I wholeheartedly agree, the second because I had never really considered this and it provides interesting food for thought.

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Those mantras seem to have more depth than mine. My mantras consist of "Hinge, Fold, Pass, Peel," and "Half, Three-Quarters, Half, Half, Half, Three-Quarters."

[bjarvis.livejournal.com]

"...and don't forget the turn thru!"

[furmuslbulk.livejournal.com]

I'm not allowed to view his protected entry! (sob!)

Hmmm... there's an anal sex joke in there somewhere.... ;-)