A few things to think about

   Since Dave's diagnosis our perspective on life has changed so much.  I recently read a column from my favorite writer, Mark Saal, in the Standard Examiner and he made so many great points on what he says has taken him over 50 years to learn in his life.  I just thought I would share a few.

• Always say "please" and "thank you."
• With the possible exception of when you find yourself standing before a hornet's nest with a stick in your hand...anytime you're faced with the choice between doing something and doing nothing, always choose something.
• Be quick to seek forgiveness, even quicker to forgive.
• Take it from Jefferson Airplane and Queen:  Find somebody to love.
• People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.  And even then, they're really not that keen on finding out how all fired smart you are.  Keep it to yourself, Einstein.
• Every once in a while, do something that scares the pants off you.
• Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."  But I say, the real test is the way it treats its telemarketers.  Be polite to everyone.
• Work to live, not the other way around.  But by the same token, always give your employer an honest day's work.
• The only time you should ever raise your voice in the home is if the house is on fire.  Or if someone took the last piece of cheesecake.
• Laugh more than you cry.
• The key to success?  Try to minimize the number of times you start a sentence with "Gee, I wish that I would have..."
• By all means, when you get the chance, dance.  Just please don't subject the rest of us to having to watch it.
• Remember, it's only money.
• Learn to play at least one musical instrument badly.
• Make your folks proud.
• As much you as you possibly can, avoid television.  That goes double for video games.
• Telling someone you're grateful is nice.  Showing them is even better.
• Read a little every day.  Write a little too.
• Sing in the shower.
• Tim McGraw said a mouthful with that "Live Like You Were Dying" song.  Because you really are, you know.
• You can't always do what you love, but you can always love what you do.
• Three things you should never, ever say: 1) "That's not fair."  2) "You know what your problem is?" 3) "Whatever."
• Almost never say never.
• Take regular vacations.
• If you can't say something nice, whatever you do say should at least be wickedly hi-larious.
• And finally, two simple words.  "Be happy."  Little else matters.