Elaine Miller
Not yet complete, not to mention in no particular order. With heartfelt thanks to R.A.H.
Mad Elaine's Rules of Thumb or, "Seems to Work So Far" by Elaine Miller
Obtain a different perspective - try a new viewpoint - step back, take another look
Never, ever lie to yourself. Know what you want, and what you are prepared to put up with (or do) to get it
Establish some level of communication with everyone you deal with. If possible, empathize. It is important to understand others' points of reference. Otherwise you may fall into the dreadful trap of believing that you are always right. (Aughh)
You, and You Alone, are responsible for everything you say, everything you do, and everything you allow to happen to yourself. Often, and to a lesser degree, you are also responsible for what you allow to happen to others. Please note: Responsibility and Guilt are in no way synonymous
Learn the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. Collect friends
Think First! And while you're at it, Think Afterwards as well.
Pay attention to small details. No, really.
Try learning from others' mistakes. It saves time and blood poisoning
Formulate a set of ethics for yourself. Stick with them. Don't expect anyone else to follow them--they are trying to develop their own. Try to avoid blindly following those of your progenitors
Learn to change the things you cannot accept
"And this, too, shall pass"; subject to change without notice; Revise! Revise! This applies to everything.
Love thine own self above all others. Don't ever forget that everyone else is also following this imperative.
Kinda makes it easier to understand now, don't it?
Enlightened long-term self-interest has effects absolutely indistinguishable, in the long run, from altruistic humanitarianism; but it doesn't turn the stomach so.
Balance may very well be the secret to life, the universe, and everything. Anybody far enough from the center runs a risk of carrying a deadly Prejudice virus. "They" may accuse you of being a fence- sitter. Oh well.
Keep your options open at all costs... the more options you have, the more likely it is that some of those options are potentially good; follow my reasoning? "No options" (real or perceived) is the life path to suicide or misery.
Please try to bear in mind that the minute a word or phrase falls into public use or parlance, or is repeated more than a few times, it begins to lose its usefulness as a vehicle of communication and becomes a rallying point for committees.
Find an original way to say it or you'll find it unheard, or worse, heard but not thought on.
The next time someone talks about "they", stop and consider who "they" are. They should make a law? They say that this is so? This is what they're all doing nowadays! They shouldn't allow this to be happening! Most cases you'll feel quite a bit better if you just substitute "I" for "they" or "them".
Good things come to those who go the fuck out and get them.
