For about the past ten years whenever I travel I tend to freak out before I go. While I never used to be… I am now scared of flying. My family expects this of my now and laugh at my trepidation. I originally told B I was not going to China with him because I had an overwhelming feeling of dread. So now, as I contemplate this trip I have decided I need to leave my sons my thoughts on what I think contributes to living a good life just in case I trip on a yak and fall to my death on Everest. I thought of all of these things off of the top of my head instead of consulting the internet so that is probably why the list is what it is.

For P, A and R… Love CLHD 12/20/15

1. While most business transactions are no longer done with a handshake honoring your word is still the most important thing you can do.
2. Look at the important people in your life. What do you admire about them? Why do you like to be around them? Take those qualities and make them your own.
3. Saying, “Yes, sir” to your date’s father is a good way to begin.
4. When you know in your heart that what you are doing is wrong have the courage to walk away even if it means leaving your friends behind.
5. Whether you like it or not there will be a lot of people depending on you when you reach adulthood. Do those things that will earn their respect, love and trust.
6. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If it works out it builds character. It it doesn’t work out it builds character and you learn something valuable about the situation and/or yourself.
7. Mama’s boys are a good thing as long as Mama is in the spot she belongs…behind your wife.
8. Sharing feelings is often difficult for men. Do it anyway. Better for someone to know what you are thinking than having to spend all their time guessing incorrectly.
9. Say “I love you” when you walk out the door. You never know if you will walk back in again.
10. Never put “it” in a person you don’t want to wake up to everyday for the next 20 years.
11. Having five children with five different women is cruel, stupid and condemns you child to less than a life he/she deserves. Be responsible. Don’t do it.
12. Honesty truly is the best policy.
13. Help others out when you can. It’s good for you and its good for the world.
14. Be A Boy Scout. Be trustworthy, brave, helpful,clean and friendly. Doing these things never hurt anyone.
15. Chivalry is not dead. Open doors for your girlfriend, wife and older women just because it is a nice thing to do.
16. Be the kind of boyfriend/husband that every woman wishes her husband was.
17. Sex is sex and love is love. Don’t confuse the two.
18. Women are not a prize you discard after you obtain them.
19. Too many notches in your belt only weakens the structure until it can no longer do the job of holding up your pants.
20. Remember how you would sit for hours making legos. Find something that you love that much and spend time doing it.
21. The way you act influences others. Act in the way you want to be remembered if you were to die tomorrow.
22. Friends are important. Nurture those relationships and don’t abandon them for a girl.
23. Have enough character to return the guys underpants that were run up the flagpole.
24. Save for a rainy day. Cardboard boxes fall apart in the rain.
25. It’s difficult when society says tough guy=real man. Be a tough guy only when you want to be and don’t be stupid about it.
26. Bar fights are nothing to brag about.
27. If you are drinking more than two beers a day you are taking away time from things that are really important.
28. Two of you are a minority in this country. Expect to be stopped by the police for no real reason at all. Talk nicely, be cooperative, and make no sudden moves.
29. Pick a woman who loves you boldly and completely. Make sure she is your best friend and has your back at all times.
30. You will have many disappointments in life. Don’t wallow in them.
31. You are responsible for your own happiness. Don’t put that on anyone else.
32. Don’t follow orders blindly.
33. Make a bucket list when you are young and work to finish the list before you die.
34. You don’t have to change the world but changing your own neighborhood is something to shoot for.
35. Lead by example.
36. Don’t wear your pants down to your knees. It isn’t a cultural thing, it isn’t a societal thing…it’s a disregarding yourself thing which makes you look like something you are not.
37. For goodness sake. No tats on the face. You’ll just look like a thug and most people won’t give you a job.
38. You don’t have to accept a dare.
39. It is easy to love in an emergency. It is harder to love in plain day to day living. Love like its always an emergency.
40. When you are fearful keep going forward and face your fears head on.
41. Drag racing can kill and often has unintended consequences. Don’t do it.
42. Decide early on what is acceptable and what is not. Make a list of those things and stick to it. Then update that list every once-in-awhile on a quiet day when you have plenty of time to contemplate.
43. Things will change with time. Try to go with the flow.
44. Don’t make a promise unless you intend to keep it
45. Your EVERYTHING MUST BE FAIR IN LIFE Certificate was lost at birth. You cannot order another one.
46. Be sure to tell you wife two things you appreciate about her each day and compliment her three times a day.
47. If you want a happy marriage YOU must be happy.
48. There is no shame in apologizing. Don’t let your pride in the the way of being the first to do so.
49. “Boys will be boys” is not an excuse for anything.
50. There are girls that will love you, there are girls who will use you, and there are girls who only want you to be their baby daddy. Abstain until you know which is which and if you can’t do that ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use a condom or two.
51. Telling your mother when you are 18 that you are going to be a daddy will make her CRAZY…don’t chance it.
52. Volunteer your time and resources when you are young. You are often more useful, you will meet some great people and someone is always needed to move the boxes.
53. Don’t be a bully with your fists or your words. There is someone who will always be bigger and badder than you and karma will ensure you will meet them.
54. Don’t be afraid to try. EVER…unless it is something stupid.
55. There are people in life that want to bring you down. Don’t let them succeed.
56. Canoeing is a good way to forget life’s troubles.
57. Success doesn’t happen through magical thinking. It takes hard work, dedication and the willingness to be flexible. Do all three.
58. Teach what you know. Learn what you want to teach.
59. If you want to learn be willing to listen.
60. If there is something you are good at work harder to become great at it. Anyone can paint but it takes dedication and lots of practice to be asked to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
61. Enjoying life means you cannot be a couch potato or a video game player. In order to get something out of it you have to put something into it.
62. Save a life at least once during yours. Throw that starfish back into the water.
63. You will probably change careers several times during your life. Do what makes you happy but make sure it pays the bills.
64. Start investing in a job that has a 401 K and max it out every year. There is nothing more terrifying than coming to the end of your working years realizing the money you have saved can fit into something the size of a shoe box.
65. Gardening is a good way to teach your children responsibility.
66. Everything in moderation is still a good adage.
67. If your first priority is to make your wife happy in bed you will reap untold rewards.
68. Use deodorant everyday. If you don’t you won’t get the girl, you won’t get the job and you will have to shout at the people standing five feet away from you.
69. Own at least one tie and one good pair of dress shoes.
70. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who believe in you too. You deserve nothing less.
71. Everyone has numerous strengths to draw upon. Find yours and improve upon them so that you know they are fully developed when you need them
72. Read something everyday.
73. Giving up and giving in too soon rarely accomplishes anything of value.
74. Spend one day each week refusing to talk or act out of negativity.
75. Be friends with those who are different races, ethnicities and religions than you. The blessings you reap will be a 1000 times greater than those first few minutes of being uncomfortable and unsure.
76. The person who acts like they know everything knows nothing of true value.
77. Real men ask for help (and directions)
78. Vacations are important.
79. Mid-life crisis’ are real. Don’t be a jackass during yours.
80. Don’t confuse status with truth. A luxury car only means big payments and nothing about who is driving it.
81. Your Dad was a great man. Take the parts you admire and incorporate them into your life.
82. Make sure that the person you give your heart to really appreciates its worth.
83. Having common interests is very helpful to sustaining a marriage.
84. It’s just fine to cry. What you will learn from doing so will enrich your soul more than the tears ever will.
85. There are times that your life will be beyond hard. Know that I am there in some form holding you tight.
86. Keep your imagination open and running like when you were a kid.
87. Never forget to put down the briefcase and play a game of hopscotch
88. “If you can’t beat them join them” is no excuse for anything that happens afterwards.
89. Fulfill your dreams before having children so you don’t resent them.
90. Not everyone will like you. Deal with it.
91. Be respectful to your elders.