One Hundred Wisest Words from a High School Teacher

1. There are plenty of ways to enter a pool. The stairs is not one of them. 

2. Never cancel dinner plans by text message.

3. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

4. If a street performer makes you stop walking, you owe him a buck.

5. Always use ‘we’ when referring to your home team or your government.

6. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.

7. Don’t underestimate free throws in a game of ‘horse’.

8. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

9. Don’t dumb it down.

10. You only get one chance to notice a new haircut.

 

11. If you’re staying more than one night, unpack.

12. Never park in front of a bar.

13. Expect the seat in front of you to recline. Prepare accordingly.

14. Keep a picture of your first fish, first car, and first boy/girlfriend.

15. Hold your heroes to a high standard.

16. A suntan is earned, not bought.

17. Never lie to your doctor.

18. All guns are loaded.

19. Don’t mention sunburns. Believe me, they know.

20. The best way to show thanks is to wear it. Even if it’s only once.

 

21. Take a vacation of your cell phone, internet, and TV once a year.

22. Don’t fill up on bread, no matter how good.

23. A handshake beats an autograph.

24. Don’t linger in the doorway. In or out.

25. If you choose to go in drag, don’t sell yourself short.

26. If you want to know what makes you unique, sit for a caricature.

27. Never get your hair cut the day of a special event.

28. Be mindful of what comes between you and the Earth. Always buy good shoes, tires, and sheets.

29. Never eat lunch at your desk if you can avoid it.

30. When you’re with new friends, don’t just talk about old friends.

 

31. Eat lunch with the new kids.

32. When traveling, keep your wits about you.

33. It’s never too late for an apology.

34. Don’t pose with booze.

35. If you have the right of way, take it.

36. You don’t get to choose your own nickname.

37. When you marry someone, remember you marry their entire family.

38. Never push someone off a dock.

39. Under no circumstances should you ask a woman if she’s pregnant.

40. It’s not enough to be proud of your ancestry; live up to it.

 

41. Don’t make a scene.

42. When giving a thank you speech, short and sweet is best.

43. Know when to ignore the camera.

44. Never gloat.

45. Invest in good luggage.

46. Make time for your mom on your birthday. It’s her special day, too.

47. When opening presents, no one likes a good guesser.

48. Sympathy is a crutch, never fake a limp.

49. Give credit. Take blame.

50. Suck it up every now and again.

 

51. Never be the last one in the pool.

52. Don’t stare.

53. Address everyone that carries a firearm professionally.

54. Stand up to bullies. You’ll only have to do it once.

55. If you’ve made your point, stop talking.

56. Admit it when you’re wrong.

57. If you offer to help don’t quit until the job is done.

58. Look people in the eye when you thank them.

59. Thank the bus driver.

60. Never answer the phone at the dinner table.

 

61. Forgive yourself for your mistakes.

62. Know at least one good joke.

63. Don’t boo. Even the ref is somebody’s son.

64. Know how to cook one good meal.

65. Learn to drive a stick shift.

66. Be cool to younger kids. Reputations are built over a lifetime.

67. It’s okay to go to the movies by yourself.

68. Dance with your mother/father.

69. Don’t lose your cool. Especially at work.

70. Always thank the host.

 

71. If you don’t understand, ask before it’s too late.

72. Know the size of your boy/girlfriend’s clothes.

73. There is nothing wrong with a plain t-shirt.

74. Be a good listener. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk.

75. Keep your word.

76. In college, always sit in the front. You’ll stand out immediately.

77. Carry your mother’s bags. She carried you for nine months.

78. Be patient with airport security. They’re just doing their jobs.

79. Don’t be the talker in a movie.

80. The opposite sex likes people who shower.

 

81. You are what you do, not what you say. 

82. Learn to change a tire.

83. Be kind. Everyone has a hard fight ahead of them.

84. An hour with grandparents is time well spent. Ask for advice when you need it.

85. Don’t litter.

86. If you have a sister, get to know her boyfriend. Your opinion is important.

87. You won’t always be the strongest or the fastest. But you can be the toughest.

88. Never call someone before 9am or after 9pm.

89. Buy the orange properties in Monopoly.

90. Make the little things count.

 

91. Always wear a bra at work.

92. There is a fine line between looking sultry and slutty. Find it.

93. You’re never too old to need your mom.

94. Ladies, if you make the decision to wear heels on the first date, commit to keeping them on and keeping your trap shut about how much your feet kill.

95. Know the words to your national anthem.

96. Your dance moves might not be the best, but I promise making a fool of yourself is more fun then sitting on the bench alone.

97. Smile at strangers.

98. Make goals.

99. Being old is not dictated by your bedtime.

100. If you have to fight, punch first and punch hard.

 

Worry Less, Pray More

Worry Less, Pray More

Image courtesy of klove.com These few days I’ve been overcome by anxiety and I didn’t realize it until last night because it’s been happening under the radar, my consciousness radar, that is. There is one wish that I have been … Continue reading

To Say So Much in So Little

I believe a great speaker is one that can say so much in so little. This lady definitely nailed it.
Her message was audacious, her time was little. The number of words, well…, that’s not what I’m talking about.

The fascination I had in watching her makes me think of adding a subtitle so my students can watch it, but I gave up the idea by the 20th second. Well, maybe I’ll reconsider.

The Source of My Significance

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Source of My Significance

I Am Second posted this video on their page, a testimony of Lecrae.

“Somebody thinks I am significant to die for me.”

The question of self-worth, life’s significance is something I asked at one point in my life.

Being raised in a Christian home and growing up as a good kid, I’ve always thought that my significance was a result of all that. That’s what I had been believing in, until one point.

I failed.
And then I failed, again.
And again, and again.
I transgressed.
I fell short. I did not measure up.

It took me years to get back up and place my feet on solid ground. I went through repeated cycles of nervous breakdown and self-condemnation. It almost felt like I was dwelling in the valley of the shadow of death.

Until one point I finally understood about grace, the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

He bought me with a price.
He shed his blood for my life.
He took in all the mockery, the spits, the beatings, the excruciating pain.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth.
He endured all those because He thinks I am worth it.

That was when I knew the true Source of my significance. His sacrifice on the ol’ rugged cross was his way of telling me the amazing depth, the extraordinary width, the immense length of His love, for me. And for you.

The Source of my and your significance has always been him, is Him and will always be Him. Nothing can take Him away from me.

“All men were created to lead but what we need is somebody to lead us. More than a teacher, but somebody to buy us back from the darkness. You could say he redeemed us.”

Keeping the Bitterness Away

Keeping the Bitterness Away

Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz and Father Fiction, is my inspiration to writing again. I first stumbled upon his writing when I was browsing through the net a couple of years ago, and I have been his loyal follower ever since.

This link is one of the posts from Donald’s, Storyline Blog, and it was just the right reading for today. Finding the good in the bad and its implication on our hearts.