Some Dos and Donts picked up over the years. Nothing especially original or earth-shattering, and I imagine most people reading this have already figured most of them out. But maybe one or two will strike a chord; Lord knows it's taken me long enough to figure 'em out. Anyone who wishes to, feel free to add your own!
(I was going to say Do sign Wes Welker, but... Dammit.)
Don't be an asshole. Should go without saying. And I mean a real asshole, not just putting up a front as one (B. Bobby Badd.) I've been a real one, and it doesn't get you anywhere. Don't do it.
Do smile. People like it.
Do be sincere. Don't be pretentious. (Hopefully this blog has come off more as the former and less as the latter.)
Do be responsible. Don't be risk-averse. Responsible is good, honoring commitments and obligations and such is good. Being bound by that responsibility to the point of avoiding any and all risks is not good; it limits opportunities for learning, growth, possible success, and fulfillment.
Similarly, don't be afraid to make mistakes. Do learn from them. Too often I've tried to avoid mistakes and, as often, when I've made them I haven't learned from them. Or learned too late.
Do believe in something. Be it a cause, a philosophy, a faith, something. And do make sure that it is deserving of that belief.
Don't be selfish. Do be true to yourself. There is a difference. Life should never be only about us, what's in it for us, what makes us alone happy. It should be about others as well as ourselves. But if we're not true to ourselves, our true values, beliefs, interests, etc... we're never going to be truly happy. By not doing so we make ourselves miserable and, more often than not, we make those around us miserable as well. Whether it's William Shakespeare's To thine own self be true... or Lionel Richie's Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be... we're seldom happy when we try to fake it.
Don't listen to My Way before an oncologist appointment!
Do find something to be enthusiastic about. Whether it is a relationship, a sport or fitness activity of some sort, a team (Go Pats!) art, literature, a cause, hell, even a TV show (do make sure it's a good one!) Something that fires you up.
Whenever possible, do order linguica pizza.
Don't stop learning.
Do say please and thank you. Small words but they mean a lot.
Do tip. Ideally well. Servers are often over-worked and underpaid; a good tip can make their shift. (And you never know what will end up in your food or drink if you are known as a bad tipper!)
Do step outside of your comfort zone. It's something I haven't done often enough yet whenever I have the results have always been positive.
Don't take important things- health, wealth, opportunities, and most importantly people- for granted. We never know when they will be lost.
Don't stop believin' (gratuitous Journey reference!)
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