Instructions for Life (or recipe for cooking up a good life, as my husband says)

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
   
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
   
3. Follow the 3 Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
   
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
   
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
   
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
   
8. Spend some time alone every day.
   
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
   
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
    
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
    
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of life.
    
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
    
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
    
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
    
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
    
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

This is not mine but passed to us by an unknown source and held for years.

Life without the Arts

I can not imagine life without the Arts. Not experiencing the visual and performing arts either as a participant or observer is like not having use of your 5 senses. I am thankful for parents who not only encouraged exploration in the arts but took time, money, and involvement to make sure we experienced the arts. My dad will soon be 85 years old and loves singing. He not only loves singing, he sings. He not only sings but he encouraged and sang with all his children.

It's not about talent. I have children who are not strong in certain arts but they love them anyway. I think it is wrong to tell them they are not good enough in that art to express themselves in it. If it brings them joy. If it brings ME joy, I do it. You may not be a concert performer or have your artwork displayed in a museum but if it brings value to your life, do it.

Arts do more than simply develop persons' ability to perform, it develops and stretches their brain in different ways. It works eye hand coordination, timing and balance. In music, you learn a different language - the language of musical notation.

Even if you didn't have the opportunities as a child or if you were forced and it wasn't pleasant for you, give your child a gift of the arts. Be an advocate in your home, your schools and cities. The arts are a vital part of learning. Make sure money stays in the schools for the arts.

Stop and ask yourself, what have I done with and for the arts, lately?

Does it make sense to work free to keep up skills?

With the economy in the shape it's in and many people out of work, does it make sense for out of work people to work for free to keep up their skills? Also, does it make sense to work extra hours without charging? Many people feel the pressure to work extra hours to stay ahead of the pack and to keep their jobs. Companies that are taking advantage of this fear need to be aware that it is illegal for commercial companies not to pay workers.
Government and non-profit agencies are not covered by the labor law restricting non-payment. If you're unemployed or need to add much needed skills to your resume, volunteer for a non-profit, preferably one that is recognized and whose director is willing to write a letter of recommendation. You will find it rewarding in many ways, not just resume building.
With the local, county or parish, and state budgets suffering, there are many government funded projects that could use your assistance such as schools, libraries, parks, museums, and childrens' programs. You never know...you could be setting yourself up for a pleasant career change. In the very least, you are increasing the size of your network and you never know whose brother-in-law or neighbor may be looking for a new hire with your skills!

This blog was triggered by reading an article:
Crisis spurs people to work for free by Michelle Nichols -- Reuters | 07/14/2009 8:09 PM