Rules to Live By

I wrote these rules for my daughter India as she prepares to go off to college. They are of course, for all my children as they continue to grow into their own lives. I think that some or all of these are principles my father tried to instill in his kids as well.

1. Be good to people. If someone is not good to you simply remove them from your life.

2. Trust your instincts. You have every reason to be confident.

3. Awkward is funny. Learn to laugh things away.

4. As long as I live you are not alone. Ever.

5. Develop faith so that when you are hurt you must know it is temporary pain and you will get better.

6. Never stop looking at the sunset.

7. Always listen to music. Good music is medicine for your soul.

8. Welcome the tough times and the tough jobs. They will build your character. Success comes from failure. One must suffer to develop soul. Don't go looking for those tough times though, they will find you on their own.

9. Be patient. You will always get what you want, in time.

10. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. Credit cards are NOT your friend.

11. Learn why you must look at sunsets and listen to good music. Learn about yourself.

12. Finally, you will become, you HAVE become, what you are as a result of the decisions you have made, both good and bad. Make good choices India.

I love you.

I almost forgot:

13. It's better to be smart than pretty. You are both.

Knowledge is the answers you give but intelligence is the questions you ask.






This was not easy to write because it taste like goodbye.

India likes to sneak out by herself for a few minutes in the evening and it took a couple of days before I realized that she was stepping outside alone to watch the sunset. She never said anything to anyone about it. One day, when she came back in, I asked how it looked and she just said "beautiful".

I am so proud of her. So proud.