back by popular demand (well, not really)

originally written - 18 of January 2001 rewritten - 30 of December 2002
just a list I wrote to remind myself of the kind of person I wanted to be. I suppose I should add on to it, there is always more.

• be nicer to people
• be honest
• do 5 good things for someone else each day
• compliment people
• make someone laugh
• make someone happy
• try to learn something new each day
• stay calm
• try to teach someone something new each day
• try to develop a new way of thinking
• make someone feel good about themselves
• don't judge
• respect all others and yourself
• be tolerant
• be understanding
• appreciate beauty
• acknowledge your mistakes and correct them
• forgive but never forget
• let the past stay where it belongs
• find a new way every day to cope and move on
• always try
• be quiet for a moment at the end of each day and reflect
• lessen hate, in others and yourself
• show someone love, grattitude and kindness
• don't make a fool of someone else
• practice humility
• be silentbe still
• try to realize the reasons for your fears and overcome them
• never stereotype or categorize anyone
• try to understand the nature of a single action, especially your own
• lessen pain in others
• do not limit yourself
• try to find the true nature of your prejudice
• stry to be humble
• try to soften your words
• try to be reserved
• be aware
• let go of things you don't need
• determine what truly holds value to you
• never comprimise yourself, your values or your pride
• take pride in your virtues and realize your faults
• be proud of someone else
• be less materialistic
• speak only when words are necessary
• know when they are
• speak in a way that you can be understood
• take pride in all you do and do it well
• never settle for less than your dreams
• when you are sure no one is listening to you even though they need to hear what you are saying, keep talking
• do things that make others happy
• ask until you find the answer you seek
• aswer only the questions you are asked
• never deny another soul knowledge, wisdom or understanding but inform them that they must first know what they seek
• use your will
• never give up on people
• do not expect anything but be ready for everything
• don't tell people what they want to hear if it's not the truth
• understand that truth varies from person to person
• beauty is not in the eye of the beholder but in the heart of those beheld
• never say 'I'm sorry' unless you truly have something to be sorry for
• ask for forgiveness but don't expect it
• guilt is a useless emotion
• never make anyone feel guilty for something they have done
• never do something you will regret
• admit when you are wrong
• never make the same mistake more than three times
• don't ever forget, the good times or the bad
• some things are meant to happen and some things are meant for us to change
• no one can plan your life but yourself
• no one can live your life but yourself
• try to understand others' beliefs
• do not condescend, preach or try to convert someone to your beliefs, if someone finds truth in your words do not think of it as an accomplishment
• never think yourself better or more 'enlightened' than others
• never pity them of pay lip service
• help those who help themselves
• help them to help themselves
• help those who cannot help themselves
• know that everything you do, whether you benefit from it or someone else does, is ultimately done for yourself (or you probably wouldn't be doing it) so don't believe you deserve any kind of award for self sacrifice
• don't bring anyone down
• don't give in to egotism
• don't fear the judgement of others
• live life for yourself
• don't fear death
• don't fear pain
• don't fear rejection or reproval
• remember that there are many different words for one thing and only the true meaning matters
• the world is not yours to save or damn, you can only try to make it better and be an example of what life it could be
• no ones problems are more urgent than yours and yours are no more than theirs, regardless of age, race, sex or stature
• fall in love, as often as possible