I thought this would be a good way to 'unwind' from the Holidays and start the New Year off right.

What are your rules? What are the rules you try to never break? Is there a 'rule' you never break? Is there a rule you try to follow that is very challenging for you?

I will start us off... I try to always remember to 'engage brain before starting mouth'. When I am wrong, 'I own my own foolishness'. I try to always to 'keep my words tender, in case I have to eat them later'. And the hardest one for me, sometimes, is 'try to see everyone through love colored lenses'.

I like your rules. I might have to try them. I try to be honest even when it comes to my own opinion. If I can't say anything nice then I just shut up. I try to remind myself that in a few years the teenagers will be out on their own then they will respect me and the decisions I made. I believe some things and some ppl are just not worth the trouble. Know when it's time to move on to something else. Love my family like there is no tomorrow. Remember not to whine, no one likes a whiner(sp?) especially me.

I do not have a great social calendar. SO, I hardly express an opinion. I'm pretty shy when I am in public. SO I was asked how I kept from blurting opinions? Me? Opinion, well, I guess to stay vague with public and study quilting. I express myself on here a lot. But I never want to be hurt and I would never knowingly express a hurtful opinion. Is that what you mean by rule? I guess that is my main rule. Back to the quilt, thanks.

Blessings, Ruth

never ever spend money that I don't have.

never argue or say harsh words when ur mad, walk away, address the issue later after I've cooled down. U think clearer and no one forgets , " I'm sorry " does not always work later.


tell mother, daughter,DH that I love them, and that I love having them in my life.

think things over........

Always say "please" and "thank you". It's amazing how these simple words lighten up other people's attitudes. My family is full of those who never say "thank you" for anything and it has really made an impression on me.

Smile and/or give a complete stranger a compliment. It really brightens someone's day - and gives me a warm fuzzy at the same time!

Try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt at least once!

My main outlook on life is - You get what you give. Or another way to put it What goes around comes around.

You'll never regret being good to people, its always the negative things we do, we regret :) Sometimes people make it soooooo hard to live by these rules, but I really do try.

Be kind to others(sometimed they make that 1 hard), say please and thank you,I love you, I've missed you, give lots of hugs and kisses to family, always try to make the children feel special, because they are. Bite your tongue,and vent only in a appropriate manner and place.

To accept folks (even my children and grandchildren!) wherever they are in life. I have to keep telling myself that they were given a life to live as they saw fit...as I was given mine...and I must keep my mouth shut and let them live it!

I try to do one nice thing for someone else everyday of the week....especially a stranger. My new rule will be to think and think again before i speak so as not to hurt another. Another is to not take myself or life too seriously :!: