I have an amazing mother; she’s smart and wise and good. She spent her life trying to teach me how to live mine, I think she did a bang-up job, truly.

I’m a mother as well, I’d like to think I’ve done my job in a way that would make her proud. I took what she taught to heart and learned new things along the way, all of which I’ve tried to tried to teach my own children.

I’ve jotted down a little list of things I’ve learned and tried to teach, just a few hundred random bits I thought others might need to know, or be reminded of. Some are simple, some are deep – all important in their own right.

A few things I wanted my children, and YOU, to know ~ 

Wash behind your ears and clean out your belly button, that’s not just something moms and grandmas like to say. Brush your teeth more than once a day. Use breath mints and deodorant. Hold doors open for people, all the people. Step aside to let folks pass. Say please and thank you and yes ma’am and no sir. Don’t be stubborn unless it’s something that really matters.

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Clean your dishes when you’re finished with them. Take small bites, chew slowly. Drink more water than anything else. Don’t interrupt unless you truly have to. Listen with the intent to hear. Agree to disagree. Use your turn signals. Don’t just cross the street when the little green hand flashes, look and look again. Shower regularly.

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If someone’s hungry, feed them if you can. If they’re cold, give them something warm. Tip your waitress and be kind to those who serve you. Smile at cashiers and ask them how their day has been. Say God bless you when someone sneezes. Never judge a book or a person by their cover.

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If you take something off a store shelf and change your mind, put it back where it belongs. Don’t eat in line at a buffet. Change the toilet paper roll when it’s been used up. Don’t take the last of anything unless it’s yours alone to take. Turn off the lights. Unplug what doesn’t need to be plugged in. When you wash your hands turn off the water while you use the soap, don’t waste it.

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Don’t take everything personal. Remember that sometimes people have bad days. Remember not to let your own bad days affect those around you. Go to bed at a decent time and wake up when the sun kisses your forehead. Eat breakfast. Don’t eat when your bored or upset or happy or sad, food is sustenance, not therapy or celebratory award. Exercise. Stand up straight. Keep your fingernails clean. Wash the bottoms of your feet.

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Donate things you no longer want, someone else might need them. Stop when the lights on a school bus flash. Pull over when you hear a siren. Don’t jump to conclusions. Don’t make assumptions. Read. Call your mom and your dad and your grandparents and your siblings as often as you can. Write letters. Take pride in yourself. First impressions really do count.

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Finish what you start. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t borrow money, if you do, pay it back as soon as you can. Live within your means. Check your oil and your tire pressure. Keep an umbrella in the car. Be prepared, first aid kit, battery charger, jumper cables, flares, blankets, and flashlights are good things to have in your car.

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Pray. Have faith. Be thankful for your blessings. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want Jesus or your momma seeing you do. Be humble. Learn things. Be jealous of nothing and no one. Be true to who you are. Be honest. Be kind. Learn from your mistakes and don’t make them twice. Don’t brag. Wear good shoes. Don’t take people for granted. Be thankful for what you have.

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Don’t believe everything you hear, do your own research. Vote. No littering. Recycle and reuse. Don’t check your emails or look at silly things on your phone when you’re with someone else. Don’t chew gum while you’re having a conversation. Learn how to tie a tie. Take lots of pictures. Write memories down. Don’t go to the grocery store hungry.

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Think about how your decisions will affect those around you. Pay your bills on time. Only keep one credit card for emergencies. Don’t let yourself become in debt. Unplug for a while each day. Look at the stars. Watch leaves dance in the wind. Play in the rain. Take vitamins. Respect your elders, your peers, and the younger generations. Be a good example. Treat people the way you want to be treated, even if they don’t seem to deserve it, especially if they don’t seem to deserve it.

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Don’t accept what you find unacceptable just because everyone else has. Do your own thing. Be accommodating, but never let anyone take advantage of you. Say no when you want to say no. Let your actions speak louder than your words. Listen to what the actions of others are saying. Trust your gut. Eat vegetables. Use floss. Don’t be too hard on yourself, but hold yourself accountable. Take responsibility for your actions. Don’t make excuses or place blame somewhere else.

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Think before you speak or do. Fall madly in love. Remember broken hearts heal. Never let anger or sorrow or heartache change who you are. When you fall down, get back up. The past is the past, don’t dwell in it. Try not to waste precious moments with worry. Dream. Try. Do. Never be greedy. Save your silver change all year for something special. Keep a savings account. Get checkups, go to the doctor and dentist and optometrist. Moisturize.

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Sweep under the couch. Don’t eat expired food. Don’t buy more than you need. Fold your clothes and put them away after you wash them. Don’t leave wet towels on the floor. Replace your kitchen sponges often. Don’t get a pet unless you have time to give it. Stay away from artificial sweeteners. Don’t overindulge. Try to find beauty in everything. Let yourself feel everything. Don’t lie, to yourself or to others.

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Forgive. Be the reason someone smiles. Comfort those who need it. Walk away from anyone and anything that can cause you any harm. Get a live plant, don’t forget to water it. Take walks. Sing. Dance. Admit when your wrong. Never be embarrassed or afraid to cry. Say I love you as often as you can. Say what you’re feeling. Ask for help when you need it. Offer help when you can. Park straight. Tell jokes. Laugh often. Be compassionate. Give hugs. Hold hands.

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Don’t try to be perfect, just try. Don’t monopolize conversations. Choose your words wisely. Never take what doesn’t belong to you. Do nice things for no reason. Give without expectation of something in return. Smile at babies. Always let someone know where you’re going to be. Relax. Watch cartoons sometimes. Volunteer. Respect authority. Tuck your face into your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Don’t open bathroom doors without a paper towel. Wash your hands before you eat or make food. Wash your hands after you use the restroom.

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Don’t be too critical of yourself or others. Remember you’re not always going to be right. Make sure your nail clippings go into the trash bin. Say excuse me. Take leaps of faith. Be loyal. Be trustworthy. Trust. Grammar matters. Use commas when you’re writing, trust me, they’re important. Don’t shy away from cameras, be in as many pictures as you can. Mirrors and scales only reveal part of the story. Use your rear view mirrors, check your blind spots. The speed limit exists for a reason.

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Buy regular sized fries. Eat at home more than you go out. Buy things on sale. Practice self control. Don’t act on every impulse or whim you have. Dust things. Snuggle. Compromise. Right wrongs when you can. Lend a helping hand. Give forehead kisses. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Read a poem every now and then. Don’t bite your nails. If you really need to insult someone, use one of Shakespeare’s. Say hello to people passing by.

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Never forget you are loved. You are a child of God. You are wonderful and unique and worthy. Don’t dwell on things too long. Staying angry at someone else, holding on to resentments and grudges gives that person power over you. Don’t give anyone your power. Listen to your parents, no matter how old you are. Don’t buy cheap toilet paper. Support libraries. Spend time in bookstores. Take care of your family. Manners are awesome, use them.

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If you have a question ask it, google it, find an old encyclopedia, but don’t just rely on someone to answer it for you. If you borrow something, return it. Practice patience. Wait your turn. Apologize. Play board games. Change your sheets often. Put your cart back after you unload it. Remember the golden rule. Pack lunches instead of buying one. Compliment others. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t lower your standards for anyone. Stop saying “I can’t.”. Accept compliments. No self deprecation.

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Don’t be upset with constrictive criticism. Never take advantage of anyone. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Organize. Be confident, never arrogant. It’s better to teach someone how to do something rather than doing it for them. Never ignore your inner voice, unless it’s negative, then change the dialogue. Some people will tell you to put butter on a burn, don’t. Not everyone out there is nice, be nice anyway.

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Don’t look up symptoms you have online, go to the doctor. Get full coverage auto insurance. Have a drink, but don’t get drunk. Always have pencils, pens, scotch tape, screwdrivers, pot holders, paper clips and tissue handy. Chew with your mouth closed. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Keep the promises you make. Find something you’re passionate about. Don’t change yourself to please others.

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Be a leader, not a follower. Learn new words whenever you can. Sometimes it’s easier to climb the mountains you face than trying to find a way around them. Throw away socks with holes in them. Don’t leave candles unattended. Don’t let fear hold you back, but be aware of your limitations. Do things for yourself. Do what is right, not what is easy. Know when to step in and when to step away. Practice mindfulness.

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Take breaks. Don’t start too many projects at once. Clean your room. Take pride in a job well done. Don’t gloat. Don’t boast. Be a good friend. Lift up those who are down. Practice what you preach. Learn the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Be strong, but acknowledge your weaknesses. It’s okay to feel a little down, just be sure to pick yourself back up. Don’t hold your head down when you walk.

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Spell-check isn’t always right. Use a napkin when you eat. Don’t feed animals people food. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Use common sense. If something seems to good to be true, it probably is. Trust and respect are two-way streets. Use smaller plates and bowls. Look at serving sizes, follow them. Coconut oil is a good fat. Try to stay fit. Live with intention.

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Be gracious. Be accommodating. Sometimes things look different when you step back and take a second look. There will always be someone who knows something you don’t. Never be smug. Words have power. Self pity is pointless. Get dressed up every now and then. It it doesn’t say microwave safe, don’t microwave it. Keep a few postage stamps on hand. Try to eat real food, processed stuff is crap.

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Open your curtains and let the sunshine in. Be kind to animals. Back just causes. Try to make a difference. Don’t be an armchair advocate, do something. Don’t say anything you can’t take back. Don’t forget, you can’t take back harsh words. People believe what you say, so say what you believe. When someone shows you their true colors, don’t forget them. Respect authority. If someone’s sleeping, let them sleep. Keep appointments.

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Be the best you can be, not just some of the time – all of the time. Appreciate the little things, don’t sweat the small stuff. Live life while it’s yours to live. Love with your whole heart, without condition. Have goals. Exceed expectations. Disappointment is fleeting. Time goes by faster than you could imagine, don’t waste it. Hold tight to the ones you love. Never pretend to be someone you’re not.

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Believe in yourself. Do good. Be good . . . You only have this one life to live, live it well.