The "Feng Shui" Email

We arrived home last night much later than anticipated from the year end flag football party. The party was very nice and our children had a very good time. My wife arrived after my daughter’s softball practice and it is great that both my son and daughter have friends who were associated with the flag football team. It is so interesting that our children’s friends’ parents are also my wife’s friends as well. I am beyond fortunate the way in which everything continues to work out and now there are so many bonuses in my life. In the past I was so busy with myself I never took the time to really get to know my wife’s friends but now I am very impressed with my wife’s friends. It was a good night all around but since we arrived home later than expected the children needed to finish their homework prior to going to sleep. This made their bedtime later than usual and with that the day ended in the usual quick fashion.

This morning I wasn’t exactly “feeling it” and decided to take the day off from exercising. I guess the travel over the weekend along with the unexpected long run had caught up to me. I needed the extra rest and I also needed to get into the office a little earlier today. I had expected to work late tonight but this late session got postponed which was a positive since I was going to help a friend out this evening. I was able to arrive early at the office but once again my “best laid plans” went a bit awry. The day went along as it usually does with me being pulled in several different directions. I must say I really enjoy these kinds of days because the day passes so quickly and I have a great deal of fun along the way.

This evening my wife and I went over to a friend’s house to help them “minimize”. At first we were both a bit hesitant since the circumstances weren’t so good but it became apparent to both my wife and I that this was the best course of action for our friend. Once again we stayed much longer than anticipated and had to get home for dinner. Dinner came at a much later than normal time but the fact that the four us were all together meant everything to me. There is this constant that no matter how hectic the day may be for all us; sitting at the dinner table together makes those hectic times disappear into thin air.

Today I received a wonderful email from a very good friend in the Gamblers Anonymous Program. I am not one for the chain emails or the good/bad luck that comes with those emails. This particular email did have some “luck” attached to it but that wasn’t a concern of mine. I know that as long as I continue my life with honesty along with practicing the principles of the GA Program I know everything will continue on its wonderful course. The message of this email was very profound and I wanted to share it. Here is the message within the email without the vestiges of good/bad luck;

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN... In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! .... When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY; Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.