10 things I've learned in 5 decades +6
#22) settle. settling. settled. it’s always been a dirty word to me. settling for less than you deserve. settling for what you can have. settling for what is available. settling into complacency.
however, all of these years, I believe I may have been missing an important point. there is nothing wrong with settling for what you want. with being content with what you have because what you have makes you happy. all of life does not have to be dissatisfaction, discontent and ambition.
#23) the singular piece of advice that my father gave me more often than any other was "It only gets worse from here." these are the kinds of things that warp your soul. that distort your prospective. possibly permanently. these are your triggers.
it is all very well and good to recognize your triggers. to guard yourself against their screwing with you. but the ultimate solution isn’t being guarded. it isn’t being cautious or hyper-aware of your state (though those can help). the solution is to become stronger than your triggers.
when I was young I was scared of walking alone in the woods at night. I didn’t become not scared of the night by realizing that there were no monsters out there. I stopped being scared when I came to believe that I was stronger and / or smarter than anything out there in the dark.
#24) here are two things that children, girls and boys, should be taught while they are young so that they know them when they are older . . .
when someone goes to shake your hand, do not grasp at their fingers with yours. bring the skin between your thumb and forefinger into contact with the skin between theirs. turn the palm of your hand to match up with theirs and wrap your fingers around their hand. grasp firmly but not like you are trying to crush something. Pump their hand up and down once or twice while looking them in the eye. try it. it’s simple, straightforward and effective.
when someone picks you up in their arms, don't go limp. if you stiffen your body even a little it makes it so much easier for them to support you. and if you put your arm around their neck, you’ll support half your weight without even trying. they’ll appreciate you for it.
original post