Rules of Life

Every once and awhile, people ask me, "So what have you learned in college so far?" I never know what to say. The information and life lessons are not quantifiable or explainable in a single answer unless you want it to last the number of semesters it took for me to gain said knowledge. But you know what, outside of book knowledge, this is what I have learned from my own experiences, from people I love, from people that are some of my deepest friends. These are what I've realized make an excellent checklist for day to day life. I made myself do all of these things for a week, and how suddenly different my life outlook was. Try it - I dare you.

1. Sing in the shower.
2. Treat everyone you meet in life the way that you would want to be treated.
3. Watch the sun rise at least once a year.
4. Leave the toilet seat in the down position.
5. Never refuse homemade brownies.
6. Strive for excellence, not perfection.
7. Plant a tree every year on your birthday.
8. Learn three clean jokes.
9. Return borrowed vehicles with a full tank of gas.
10. Compliment at least three people every day.
11. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone how much you love them.
12. Leave everything a little better than it was when you found it.
13. Keep it simple.
14. Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures.
15. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 
16. Floss your teeth.
17. Ask for a raise when you think you've truly earned it, and not before.
18. Be forgiving on yourself and others.
19. Over tip the breakfast waitresses.
20. Say thank you a lot.
21. Say please a lot.
22. Avoid negative people.
23. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables at yard sales.
24. Wear polished shoes.
25. Remember other people's birthdays.
26. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
27. Carry jumper cables in your trunk.
28. Have a firm handshake.
29. Send lots of Valentines day cards. Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're fantastic!"
30. Look people in the eye.
31. Be the first one to say hello.
32. Use the good dishes.
33. Return all things you borrow.
34. Make new friends, but cherish the old ones.
35. Keep secrets.
36. Sing in a choir.
37. Plant flowers every spring.
38. Have a dog.
39. Always accept an outstretched hand.
40. Stop blaming others.
41. Take responsibility for every aspect of your life.
42. Wave at kids on school buses.
43. Be there when people need you.
44. Feed a strangers expired parking meter.
45. Don't expect life to be fair.
46. Never underestimate the power of love.
47. Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake."
48. Compliment even small improvements.
49. Keep your promises.
50. Marry only for love.
51. Rekindle old friendships.
52. Count your blessings. 
53. Call your mother.

54. Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.