Some Things I’ve Learned About Life

What bits and pieces of wisdom are floating around in your head?

Every now and then I come across a collection of pithy observations about life. Sometimes they make me chuckle. Sometimes I nod and think, Exactly! 

And sometimes I think, Hey wouldn’t it be fun to come up with my own pithy bits of wisdom.

So I did.

Enjoy.

Some things I’ve learned along the way

Remember to take photos.

Write down all those cute stories you’ll never forget—because you will.

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff. Just acknowledge it and go open the door.

Technology is no substitute for common sense.

The first law of childrearing: There are two ways to do anything, the easy way and allowing the kids to help.

The second law of childrearing: If you don’t allow the kids to help when they’re too little to be helpful, they won’t want to help when they’re big enough.

The third law of childrearing: The moment your kids are mature enough to do chores around the house without supervision, they graduate and leave home.

Others are amazed at those things you find so easy.

Make lists.

Put lists where you can find them.

Remember to look at the lists.

Everyone needs friends who aren’t afraid to be silly with you.

Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses. You can’t, and attempting to anyway will make you miserable.

Sometimes it’s actually easier to get things done when the kids have a friend over.

Always look for a potential solution before you complain.

Be yourself. No one else can be you, and you can never succeed at being someone else.

Life is not fair.

There will always be someone who is smarter, faster or better, but there is only one you.

Children will eventually grow out of the bad habit that is driving you crazy—and develop a new one instead.

There is humor and beauty all around you, if you look for it.

Pick more flowers.

Guests actually like it when they see your house isn’t perfect either.

Sometimes you just have to make a decision.

Make peace with your age.

Sometimes it’s OK to eat dessert first.

Don’t waste calories eating stuff you don’t actually like. One bite of chocolate is better than five rice cakes.

Always try to figure out which kid is the “everyone” whose parents let them do whatever it is you don’t want your kid to do.

Most of the time, you get what you pay for.

You don’t need at least a third of the clothes in your closet.

That chance conversation at the grocery store may be the most important thing you do all day.

It is OK to quote movies you’ve never seen. Or Shakespeare plays you’ve never read.

You never can tell.

Life is too short to read books you don’t like.

If you buy the economy-sized container of your child’s favorite snack, it will no longer be their favorite snack. In fact, they will no longer like it at all.

To err is human. To admit it is heroic.

Asking good questions is a skill.