Lists to Live By

The past few days I’ve been reading the book “Lists to Live By” (For Everything That Really Matters-Book One) which, coincidently, is full of different lists related to the topics of success, friendship, virtue, health, life’s transitions, standing strong, family values and family love. I wanted to post a few of my favorite lists that have inspired me from this book:

“ACTIONS THAT TAKE COURAGE” compiled by Dr. Steve Stephens and found on pages 72-73 of the book

• Admitting you are wrong
• Doing what is right when everyone else isn’t
• Speaking to someone you don’t know
• Saying “no” when people are trying to get you do something you know you shouldn’t
• Telling the truth and accepting the consequences
• Standing up for something you believe in even though it might mean rejection or ridicule
• Defending someone who is considered unpopular or unacceptable
• Facing a limitation and giving it your best regardless of pain or discomfort
• Confronting a fear without running away
• Being the only one
• Giving sacrificially to protect or promote either someone you love, someone who has been wronged or someone who is in need
• Taking a risk
• Sharing your heart honestly (including your feelings, fears and failures)

“EIGHT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FAILURE” by Dale Galloway (pages 22-23)  from his book, “How to Feel like a Somebody Again”

• To fail is not the same thing as being a failure
• To fail is not the disgrace everyone thinks it is
• Failure is only a temporary setback
• Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without running the risk of failure
• Failure is a natural preparation for success
• Every failing brings with it the possibilities of something greater
• What you do with failures is up to you
• Failings are opportunities to learn how to do things better the next time-to learn where the pitfalls are and how to avoid them

“WHAT IS SUCCESS?” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, found on page 39

To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To give of one’s self; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived…This is to have succeeded.