Best piece of advice you've ever received

[Skip Intro]

For me, when I was, sheesh, 11 or 12 I guess, my grandmother told me that she had always thought that once she got to a certain place, then things would be great, and she'd then be "happy," but that she had come to realize that happiness doesn't lie in the destination, but in the journey. She stressed to me the importance of not deferring happiness, regardless of where I am in life - how near to or how far from whatever goals. I remember that from time to time, and it holds more significance as time flows.

Don't get me wrong, she was a very jovial person. Wise, and very cool.

What's the best advice someone has given you?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Find your own truth

Never just take someone else's word for it.

[GirlinContempt]

2. Always know how to laugh at yourself.

Keep your sense of humour, and never take yourself too seriously.

[Tripper11]

3. About 15 years ago.....

I began calling my Grandmother ona regualr basis. I am/was the first grandchild.
One conversation Grandma started talking about how old she was and about death. I said come on Grandma don't talk like that. Her reply was pretty simple, "Why not??" she said, "I am old! I have lived a good life. I have a good family around me that loves each other. We are healthy, happy and we have fun. When it's over, that's it! I am fine with that."
Ever since then I have been able to reconcile the harder parts of life because of how Grandma sees her life. I just spoke to her today, coming in on 90 and still as spry and happy as always.
Thanks Grandma!

[NightTrain]

4. "You don't have to screw people over to survive."

It's the credo by which I've long conducted my life.

[Raven]

5. Keep your mind above your belt buckle.

My father's advice to me and my two brothers before we went off to college. My advice to my son. Good advice! :-)

[achtung_circus]

6. When I was a punky teenager

I quoted at my grandmother, to justify some selfishness, "to thine own self be true"

Her comeback was the rest of the quotes "and it shall follow as the night the day thou canst be false to no man."

Although my parents, and especially my father brought me up to respect myself and value my honour, this was the icing on the cake, so to speak.

If anything I now think about, "on the other hand", a little too much and how my actions affect others (never too much).

[tigereye]

7. a college friend once said when I was knee-deep in Kafka,

"Don't be an existentialist, you'll ruin your twenties." Good advice that I have never forgotten, especially since I have not been 20 for quite some time!

[VelmaD]

8. Always always ALWAYS...

USE BIRTH CONTROL!!!

[trof]

9. Anger is harmful.

Not spur-of-the-moment "Why the hell did he do THAT" anger.
Deeply rooted, long term anger and the accompanying unhappiness.

I had it with my employer for a good part of my career. Oh it was justified. Not tin-foil beanie stuff. Miz t. had it with a sister whom she thought their mother favored.

When it eats on you, almost constantly, it's unhealthy.

In each of our cases, a friend sat us down and had a heart-to-heart. Probably tired of hearing us bitch and moan. The basic message was this:
"OK, you've got a legitimate gripe, but you're letting it run (and ruin) your life. You have to get past it. Maybe you can't forgive it, but you can move on with your life and get over it. You'll be a happier person if you do."

They were right, but it took someone saying it out loud.

[no_hypocrisy]

10. "Life isn't fair." Credit to my Mom. It was the last "Mom-ism"

I had cited at her memorial last July.

[Skittles]

11. I saw a cop on a local channel when I was a very young girl

he said if you are ever in a situation where you don't feel comfortable, GET OUT OF IT IMMEDIATELY. He specifically pointed out that girls, women, especially are taught to be polite and it can harm them with the criminal element. For example, victims of date rape overwhelmingly say they were uncomfortable to a degree BEFORE the violence progressed.

I took that advice and it has served me well. I'd advise all parents to give this advice to their children, especially their daughters.

[Donkeyboy75]

12. "Don't let your meat loaf."

Words of wisdom.

[gmoney]

13. "Trust Only Action"

That, and my Dad's motto: "It's always better to be lucky than smart."

And don't forget, Mr. Rhythm says "Don't let your dick run your life."

(Quote from a highly underrated movie... any guesses?)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. Two

1. "Don't believe what men tell you. Believe what they do."

2. "Don't make yourself miserable by trying to have a better past." In other words, holding grudges and feeling sorry for yourself won't improve your life.