Some Thoughts ...

One of my goals this year is to learn more about older authors. Authors that have come from a more simple time. I think we can learn from some of their thinking, sayings and writing.

Over one hundred years ago, Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish essayist, poet and author of many fiction and travel books, who was also well known especially for his novels of adventure, supposedly offered some tips that are relevant even in today's world on how to be positive.

In my research I could not find this actual list and I haven't been able to find the web site that had this list, but there is a possibility that it is a paraphrased form taken in part from his Christmas Sermon. Anyway, the list is worth thinking about, no matter who gets the credit for it.

How to Be Positive

1. Make up your mind to be happy.
2. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
3. Make the best of your circumstances. Everyone has problems. The trick is to make laughter outweigh the tears.
4. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from the misfortunes that befall others.
5. You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.
6. Don’t let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
7. Do the things you enjoy doing, but stay out of debt.
8. Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary burdens are harder to bear than the actual ones.
9. Hate poisons the soul, so don’t carry grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
10. Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about new places.
11. Don’t hold post-modems. Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
12. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
13. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.