Unfortunately, I cannot say I have lived by these throughout my life.  Most of them were learned because of my mistakes and reflection on my regrets. Some of them I may have heard from someone else at some point in my life but have no idea when or where so I apologize if I have plagiarized. Many of them I still struggle with.  They are in no particular order and I will add to them and amend them from time to time.  I feel like they should be shared in the I hope that those who read them can learn from my life and glean some wisdom from them.

• Never start a new day without a prayer, a purpose and a plan.
• If you want to know God, do the things He would do and go to the places He would go.  
• If you are depressed, go to work–preferably in the service of someone other than yourself.
• You reap what you sow, unless you are one with Jesus Christ.  Then you can reap what he has sown.  
• Time is your most valuable asset.  Never waste it, always cherish it and never fail to share it with others
• Never let the things you didn’t do or the things you can’t do stop you from doing the things you can.
• If you want to be liked by those around you, like those around you.  
• Listen a lot and don’t talk too much.  
• Anyone who thinks saying you are sorry makes you weak is a fool.  A truly strong man is quick to admit his mistakes and apologize when he causes offense.
• The most important and gratifying things you will ever do in life will always involve helping others.
• Tooting your own horn is always annoying.
• A switch only has a certain number of times it can be used before it wears out.  Don’t waste them.
• Life is much more enjoyable when you have done what you said you were going to do when you said you were going to do it.  Be prepared and don’t procrastinate.
• A happy man is always working to improve his future while enjoying his present.
• The most powerful tool a man can possess is his own honor.
• Excuses are for losers.
• A peaceful and prosperous world is built from the bottom up.  Are you doing your part?
• No one likes a know it all but everyone appreciates a wise man who listens and learns from others.
• God only gives us what we can handle. Parents whose children are all perfect should think about that before they judge.  
• You cannot improve your own life when you are focused on someone else’s.
• You cannot feel spiritual without first feeling grateful.
• Pray the hardest when it is the hardest for you to pray.
• If we try to see others as God sees them, God will let us see ourselves as we may become.
• There is nothing worthy in doing what comes naturally.
• You cannot serve God with all your heart without being self reliant. Set your affairs in order, master your profession, work hard, live on less than you make and be prepared to serve God.
• The only way to get money is to work for it.   The only way to get wealth is to spend less than you earn so your money can work for you.
• The only way wealth can make your life richer is if you use it for the good of others.
• Everyone, no matter how smart they are should regularly engage in physical labor.
• Everyone should know how to fix their own car and kitchen sink.
• You can never have too many tools.
• Once you have kids, you need two sets of tools.  Your good set that you keep locked up only for you to use, and a second cheap set that your kids can ruin and lose without upsetting you.  
• Don’t buy good furniture until you children are out of the house.
• When your children ruin your nice furniture, remember the previous rule.
• Take care of your body or it will get even with you when you are old.
• Contention, complaining and criticism are more deadly than cancer.
• No one ever went wrong by just being polite.  
• If you want the pretty girl to like you, be nice to her homely friend.  
• When you have time to spend with a friend or loved one, ignore your cell phone and turn off the TV and computer.
• Don’t ever do anything only for the praise of your peers.  
• Only buy Kingsford charcoal.
• Good things rarely occur after midnight (except sleep).
• No one can make you angry except you.
• If you are going to cook a steak, buy the best cut of meat you can and don’t forget to season or marinate it.
• Don’t take offense when none is intended, that’s just dumb and don’t take offense when offense is intended, that’s simply wise.