Always err on the side of generosity.
In case of emergency, keep loose change and a handkerchief in every pair of pants you own.
Don’t toot your own horn.
Take pleasure in small things -
a warm sweater
licorice Allsorts
a fuchsia flower
a joke
anything Irish
a cup of tea
finches building a nest on the porch.
Be courteous and respectful of everyone.
Always be a kid at heart.
If you want to make a point, quote scripture.
Never mistreat a book, for books are your friends.
Don’t throw anything away that might be useful some day - you never know when you'll need another scrap of paper, a rubber band, an extra toothbrush, an old magazine, or a stale piece of gum.
Always keep several stashes of candy, preferably chocolate, for yourself and guests.
A glass of Sherry aids digestion.
Write thank-you notes.
Don’t raise your voice in anger.
Trust in the Lord always.
Pray daily - the exercise machine and the car are good places for prayer.
Finally, the verse Dad helped me pick out as 7th grade communicant to guide me throughout my life: Proverbs 3:6:
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
In all his ways, he lived that life. Thank you, Dad.
But God hath a few of us whom he whispers in the ear. - R. Browning
Let the most Blessed be my guide,
If't be His blessed will ...
- J. Bunyan
He that is humble, ever shall
Have God to be his guide ...
- J. Bunyan
Types and shadows have their ending,
For the newer rite is here;
Faith, our outward sense befriending,
Makes our inward vision clear.
- Thomas Aquinas
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee.
Mens impletur gratia, et futurae gloiriae nobis pignus datur. Alleluia. (Feast of Corpus Christi)
(The mind is filled with thankfulness, and unto us is given a pledge of the glory which is to be. Alleluia.) (CPR, of course, would not need the translation.)
Methinks I see Heaven's sparkling courtiers fly ...
And hear heart-cramping notes of melody.
- Edward Taylor
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts ...
Eternal Power, be our support...
- Alcuin
Once I found out the secret of the Universe. I have forgotten what it was, but I know that the Creator does not take Creation seriously, for I remember that He sat in Space with all His Work in front of Him and laughed. -- Lord Dunsany, "The Hashish Man"