Whatever gets you through your life

So I was on one of my favorite discussion forums tonight, and someone started a thread asking each of us about our philosophy of life. And it got me thinking about what helps me get through this organized insanity we call living. You know, besides a couple of beers and a cushy pillow for when my head aches from being beaten against the brick walls of the asylum.

So, for what it's worth, here's what works for me. I don't think you could call them words of wisdom, but they're my observations, anyway....

Know yourself. Love yourself, warts and all. It's really too cramped to live inside your own skin with someone you don't get along well with.

Try to be kind to the people around you, or at least try to avoid spreading negativity. Maybe some people irritate you, maybe they annoy you, or maybe they're just having a bad day. Oh, you don't have to enamored of them, but just try to treat them with decency and understanding. (I struggle with this one daily, because it's not just online that I'm the crown princess of snark.)

Have a dream, a goal, something to aim for. In fact, have several. If you don't achieve one of them, you may well achieve another. Never stop reaching, or learning, or growing as a person.

Remember that every day is a blessing. Life is precious, and short. Live it to the fullest.

Surround yourself as much as you can with good friends with whom you can share life's
journey. You don't have to agree with them all the time on everything... everyone is an individual, after all. But celebrate your differences and learn from each other. I personally am blessed to have such a diverse group of friends that I am always being challenged by them. Find friends who will make you stretch your mind and your thinking and occasionally even surprise yourself.

Laugh. As often and as loudly as you can... even when you have to do it on the inside. Look for the humor in everyday situations, and when necessary, inject some. Heck, even when it isn't necessary, it usually can't hurt. Nobody gets out of here alive, but you can always leave 'em laughing.

Take yourself only as seriously as is absolutely necessary. Gravitas has its place, but that place is limited. A lighthearted approach to life is much easier to live up to on those days when you wake up thinking, "Do I really have to be a grownup today?"

Take care of yourself, mentally, physically and spiritually. Ever try to make a road trip in a broken-down car? Oh, you *might* make it from point A to point B, but chances are you're going to spend a lot of nervous moments and maybe even some time sitting by the side of the road watching everyone else pass you while you wait for a tow. Isn't it more fun to zip along in something that's been tuned up and running well? Oh, a few dents, scratches, some worn paint and maybe a little static on the radio are no big deal, because those are just the badges of a lot of successful trips around the block. So is high mileage. But basic maintenance of the engine, the frame and the suspension are crucial if you want to go the distance.

And finally, remember that life is like going to school. We're here for a reason and that reason is to learn. So do your homework, pay attention, and look for the lessons in everything.

Gotta Love "Making It"

Check out this cartoon by Keith Robinson. Just about says it all, doesn't it?

Robinson's Making It comic strip has been a favorite of mine for well over a decade. His observations on modern life cover everything from the effects of caffeine through current events and the pitfalls of computer dating services, all done with charm and style. Robinson's wry wit (often expressed through beachbum-cum-philosopher Normy) is sure to resonate with virtually everyone who has ever been accused of marching to a different drummer.

If you ask me, that drummer has found the true beat of reality. Oh, and be sure not to miss the taglines below the cartoons, after the copyright statement and Keith's name. They're almost as priceless as the panels above!