As I grow older, the realization eventually dawns that your time on earth has
real limits and consideration should be given about how to spend that remaining
time. Additionally, stress and angst has been shown to actually shorten life
expectancy. In most cases, neither of these concepts occurs to those with few
years on this earth or an unexamined life but they are real nonetheless. Over
the past few days, I have been engaging in considerations of these issues and
their implications. Accordingly, I have developed some personal guidelines that
I intend to follow to the best of my ability:
Expect the best from people
Until proven otherwise, I will assume all people have good intentions and
motives. I won't assume otherwise based on one experience - everyone is entitled
to some mistakes. But I won't ignore repeated experiences. To do otherwise would
be foolish.
Don't suffer fools
I have found that prima-donnas, attention-seekers, know-it-alls and other
personality types that vex the spirit are to be avoided. Rather than try to
change or convert such individuals, an impossible mission in most cases, I will
choose to disengage from these vexatious types as much as possible, whether
individually or the venue in which they operate. They just aren't worth any of
my remaining time.
Enjoy life
To the greatest extent possible, I will quietly revel in my accomplishments and
share my light with others. I will try to do this in a humble and enthusiastic
way. Humble because there are always those with greater accomplishments and
enthusiastic because enthusiasm is one of the most live-giving and uplifting of
human emotions for yourself and others.
John Smith
1/29/2005