FURTHERMORE
By Gerry Moran
I’m doing a bit of a clean-out of my study these days. I’m not so sure I’m succeeding as every second newspaper, magazine, poster, painting or book that I mean to throw out or discard simply gets moved to a different spot. It really is difficult, and challenging, for me to declutter as I am, I have to confess, a bit of a hoarder at heart.
Bit of a hoarder! Not according to my good missus, she maintains, and with good reason, that I am a full-blown hoarder. Which explains why this is maybe my 10th time to attempt to declutter that study of mine. Unsuccessfully, of course. You see I’m not able to be ruthless with stuff that I have acquired over the years – stuff that I paid money for, good money in some instances – and, even if I didn’t pay a red cent for some of the stuff, its’s still rather precious for me. Sentimental value and all that.
And, so, in the middle of my excavations, I came upon the following which, according to the post-mark on the envelope it came in, I received almost a quarter of a century ago and which, 25 years on, I still find quite reading. It’s entitled Instructions For Life. The sender had informed me that it was a Nepalese Good Luck Tantra Totem and, as I reread it, I got to thinking that these ‘instructions’ are somewhat relevant and appropriate for the time of year that’s in it – Easter: time of rebirth, rejuvenation, re-thinking and re-energising.
Following are many of those ‘instructions’:
*Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
* Memorize your favourite poem.
* Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have, sleep all you want.
* When you say: “I love you” mean it.
* When you say: “I’m sorry” look the person in the eye.
* Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
* Believe in love at first sight.
* Never laugh at anyone’s dreams. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.
* Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.
* In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
* Talk slowly but think quickly.
* When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask: “Why do you want to know?
* Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
* When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
* Remember the three Rs: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
* Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
* When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
* Smile when answering the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
* Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
* Spend some time alone.
* Open your mind to change, but don’t let go of your values.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Read more books and watch less TV.
* A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home .
* In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
* Be gentle with the earth.
* Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
* Mind your own business. * Don’t trust a man/woman who doesn’t close his/her eyes when you kiss. * Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before.
* If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth’s greatest satisfaction.
* Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
* Learn the rules then break some.
* Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
* Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
* Remember that your character is your destiny.
* Finally, trust in God but lock your car
