On a day in late May of 1999, I was driving to Cary High School to spend my final day in the classroom before beginning a new career as a pharmaceutical sales rep. As I was making the drive, I was thinking about what the last 12 years of teaching and coaching had meant to me and if I had the chance (one last opportunity to influence the kids I had the privilege of working with all those years) what would I tell them? So using the console of my Ford Ranger pickup as a desk, I scribbled down ten rules of living on an envelope that I then shared with each of my six classes that last day of school. So with no further adieu, here they are:
Top Ten Things I've Learned (May 1999):
10. Take responsibility for your actions - don't whine.
I owe my father for this one. It wasn't whether you did it right or wrong, it was just do your best and own what you did.
9. Good does win. Don't fret when evil seems to succeed.
I've read the end of the Bible, God wins. There will be periods of time when it seems evil is dominating but the Author and Perfecter of our Faith is good and will win.
8. Laugh hard everyday. Crying isn't so bad either.
I am convinced that there is no other thing you can do physically that will do more to extend your life then to laugh hard especially when it is not at someone else's expense. Unless that someone else is you.
7. Be generous. You can't put anything into a closed hand.
Holding things tightly makes for a cold, sad heart. It is amazing how in the economy of our God, giving just leads to more.
6. Character is what you do when no one else is looking.
Another nugget from my father. He was one to give you two options then walk away and let you make the decision. My motivator was the desire to not disappoint him. Not because he would yell or be angry but because I loved him and desired to show my respect to him by acting in a way he would be proud of.
5. Have a close friend. Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
a. Choose that friend carefully.
This is one I have struggled with throughout my life. Having a close friend requires that you trust them and that can be difficult to give. But I am certain that we are supposed to have close friends for encouragement and accountability. To share the load and spur one another on to good works.
4. Never take yourself too seriously. Pride comes before a fall.
The corollary of this truth is to laugh at yourself whenever possible. Be confident in the gifts and talents you have been blessed with but never believe the gifts are bigger than the Giver of the gifts.
3. To him who is given much, much is to be expected.
What talents have you got and how/for whom are you using them? Never get into habit of comparing your gifts with those around you. You have been gifted specifically for what you are intended to do and those gifts will be uniquely qualified to enable you to fulfill your calling.
2. Tell your parents and those close to you that you love them everyday.
Emphasis on everyday. It is impossible to tell someone you love "I love you" too often.
1. There is a God. You are not Him.
a. He is loving, personal, and just.
Since truth is truth, I don't believe anything listed above has changed since 1999.
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