Rules for Adult Life

A few pearls of wisdom from a mom as her grown-up child moves out and far away...

1. Take care of your body. Eat vegetables. Use sunscreen. Drive defensively. Drink moderately. In other words, please take good care of this person that I have protected for the past 20 years!
2. Take care of your brain. Eat vegetables. Read books. Keep learning. Drink moderately. In other words, please take good care of this person you have created for the past 20 years!
3. Don't let anyone change who you are.
4. Life is long. You don't have to get everything done right away, or accomplish everything quickly. What goes around comes around -eventually, the good guys win and the bad guys learn - it just takes time and patience.
5. Life is short. Don't waste your time on people or things that drag you down, that hurt you, that stop you from being happy.
6. Don't let anyone make up your mind. You don't have to think like everyone else. The world's greatest minds have often been independant thinkers with their own ideas, who didn't allow themselves to be drawn in to a way of thinking just because it was popular. Be careful of small minded people.
7. The world is huge. Many people have not had the chance to see the world like you, to experience 4 cultures, live on 2 continents, to be immersed in 4 languages, and to travel extensively. It is possible you will encounter people who live in their small corner of the world and think they know everything. They don't. You don't.
8. The world is small. The theory states all people in the world are linked by 6 degrees of separation only. No matter how far you travel, you will never really be away from home, because you are always home.
9. Avoid intolerant people. It is always easier to judge an entire group than to try to understand. Very few arguments can be won against someone who has made up their mind to be racist, sexist, homophobic or generally prejudiced. You cannot convince someone with words. But you can win by keeping your own heart and mind open and not letting generalizations influence how you see others.
10. Choose love. This sounds silly but it's the truth. If you can't decide betwen two options, choose whatever is kinder, more tolerant, nicer, more fun, or will lead to more happiness.