Thursday, July 26, 2007

Secrets of Adulthood

Are there really secrets to being a successful adult? I was browsing through a blog today called The Happiness Project.

It's an interesting read - with different ideas about what makes people happy. The author spent a year collecting and living different happiness theories and then telling whether she found them valid or not.

Here's one section that I found random, whimsical, and, you know, mostly true:

Secrets of Adulthood.

  • Try not to let yourself get too hungry.
  • Even if you think they are fake holidays, it's nice to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day.
  • If you can't find something, clean up.
  • The days are long, but the years are short.
  • Someplace, keep an empty shelf.
  • Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
  • It's okay to ask for help.
  • You can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
  • Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
  • What you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
  • You don't have to be good at everything.
  • Soap and water removes most stains.
  • It's important to be nice to EVERYONE.
  • You know as much as most people.
  • Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
  • Eat better, eat less, exercise more.
  • What's fun for other people may not be fun for you--and vice versa.
  • People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
  • Houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
  • If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.
  • No deposit, no return.
To hers, I would add:
  • knowing something about many things, is better than knowing everything about one thing.

  • praying is more effective than worrying.

  • everyone should know how to cook at least one really terrific dinner.

I love hearing these kinds of things that people actually live by. Got any to share?

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Here's one. . . marriage education should be a compulsory class in high school. Ooops! Maybe they already are over here. They're not in England.

Vern said...

If you're an inactive Mormon but couldn't avoid a party for the Bishopric your brother was now serving in, you might want to wear something besides your "surf naked" t-shirt. Albeit an interesting conversation piece, I have lots of other shirts you can borrow. I'm just saying.

"Q" said...

I had a hard time posting. First my mind went blank then I wanted to think of something profound.
After I pondered a bit I decided these kind of thoughts come gently.

Ahh, I wax philosophical

Randi said...

Who ever said the internet is not educational??

I will add to my list:
1.Marital relations classes for HS students,
2. don't "go naked" to mormon parties,
and
3. blank thoughts =philosophical.

You guys are awesome.

(Not meaning to be snarky - I'm laughing...)

Anonymous said...

hi randi: cool. i liked how you added some of your own, too. great point you said about prayer.

i try to live by these, for example, "it's never too late to realize what's important in your life" and "... sometimes when you give something up, you find something better."

i think sometimes we hold on to something not so great for us for so long because of fear of change and the unknown. sometimes, if we step forth into the unknown, sometimes we find a situation (or something) that is even better for us, sometimes it is really great. i am so grateful that the Gospel walked into my life 2 yrs ago when i wasn't even really looking for it.

~blessings, kathleen :)

Jocelyn said...

Good list; I like the one about buying off the registry, as I only understood that once I got married.

I'd add something I've learned with each year I get older: I know nothing with absolute certainty, so I have no right to judge anyone for anything

Anonymous said...

"Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch."

I use that one all the time!

Heather said...

Love the list.

Add:

Everyone should own something that makes them feel beautiful.

Hampers are for clothes. If you are getting close enough to pile the clothes all around the space occupied by the basket you should be able to put them IN the basket.

Randi said...

Ooo, good ones. Yea for SGTBM, Jocelyn, Randi, and Heather.
My list is getting longer...
I love this.

Anonymous said...

haha they are all very true..even though I'm an adult. I got a good laugh out of the photo album and plants portion of advice. It made me think of the brown plants behind me and the stacks of photos of me from 10 years ago, which have yet to be scrapbooked.

Anonymous said...

heh sorry, got a little frustrated with the computer. My comment may show up about, uh, forty times..I just thought it was a life or death matter that everyone see my comments.

Anonymous said...

hey randi: funny, i just realized that SGTBM is ME. i didn't realize that at first. that acronym reminds me of Sergeant BUM. ha!

thanks for stopping by again today. always so cool to hear from ya. happy friday, kathleen :)

Jennifer said...

Love the list of secrets. Learned that eat regularly one during the past couple years. It truly makes a difference in my attitude!

Becky said...

I realize I'm way late on this post....but I'll add this.

Floss matters.

nuf said. :)

Dave said...

what is your really terrific dinner?