Life's Little Instruction Book (H. Jackson Brown)

I read Life's Little Instruction Book while I was at university and loved its pithy, distilled wisdom. Some of it has stayed with me to this day.

• Be the first to say, “Hello”.
• Every so often, push your luck.
• Tape record your parents’ laughter
• Have a grateful heart to be happy.
• Commit yourself to a mighty purpose.
• Strive for excellence, not perfection.
• Lie on your back and look at the stars.
• Don’t let weeds grow around your dreams.
• Become the world’s most thoughtful friend.
• Give people a second chance, but not a third.
• Every once in a while, take the scenic route.
• Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.
• Remember that a good example is the best sermon.
• When you hug someone, never be the first to let go.
• Be willing to lose a battle in order to win the war.
• Your religion is what you do when the sermon is over.
• Spend your time and energy creating, not criticizing.
• Protect your enthusiasm from the negativity of others.
• Never deprive someone of hope it may be all they have
• People who accomplish big things did small things well.
• Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.
• Judge your success by what you had to give up to get it.
• Spend your life lifting people up, not putting them down.
• Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.
• The shortest way to get anywhere is to have good company.
• Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
• Do you always want to be right or do you want to be happy?
• Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
• See any detour as an opportunity to experience new things.
• Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking
• Enjoy the satisfaction that comes from doing little things well.
• Let people know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for.
• If your life is free of failures, you’re not taking enough risks.
• Don’t overlook life’s small joys while searching for the big ones.
• Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
• Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.
• Every so often, let your spirit of adventure triumph over your good sense.
• Judge your success by the degree that you’re enjoying peace, health, and love.
• Make allowances for your friends’ imperfections as readily as you do for your own.
• Swallowing angry words before you say them is better than having to eat them afterwards.
• Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
• Happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.