Uncle Rusty's Tips for Better Living

1.      Spend time with people who make you smile and avoid those who you feel pressured to impress.

    Your friend’s dream might be impossible.  Don’t tell them so, or you’ll be embarrassed when they prove you wrong.

    Don’t change yourself to try and make someone love you.  It will never last.

    There are bridges to burn and bridges to cross.  Wisdom is the ability to differentiate the two.

    Embrace loneliness.  If you’re lucky, you will learn to be your own best friend.

    Stop buying things with money you don’t have to impress people you don’t know.

    Don’t look for love.  It will find you.  There is someone out there who knows all about your flaws and shortcomings and still thinks you are amazing.

    Everyone has issues.  Life isn’t easy for anyone.  We don’t know what others have gone through.  Don’t judge, criticize or mock others.  They’re fighting their own wars and slaying their own inner demons.

    The best way to get back at your enemies is to be successful and happy.  It’s the best revenge.

    Stop trying to be cool.  Focus on being yourself. 

    Embrace change.  After the awkwardness and scary feelings pass, you will be better and bolder.

    It wasn’t a value if it’s easily compromised.  It’s only an opinion.

    Be able to laugh at yourself. 

    The average man does not control his life.  It takes great courage to actually control the direction your life takes.

    Never let anyone criticize your close friends in front of you.

    Sometimes creativity looks just like insanity.

    Nietzche said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on, I can’t believe you.”  Break a trust once, and it can take a lifetime to repair.

     It costs nothing to be polite and grateful to the people you encounter every day.  Be kind to both friends and strangers.

    Standing up to your principles can be difficult.  You can’t waver because your beliefs are not popular. 

    Identify your principles.  They will get you through difficult times. Nelson Mandela was willing to be held captive for decades because of his principles.  What sacrifices are your principles worth?

     Learn to honestly love yourself.  Love your strengths, accept your weaknesses.  This can be the most difficult thing some people ever do.  It can take a long time to accomplish.  It can be painful.  But, once you do, you will begin to be truly happy.

    Never pass up an opportunity to eat bacon.

      My apologies for the lack of humor.  Sometimes I'm up at 3:00am and these thoughts come to my head and I can't sleep until they are on paper.