advice in a graduation gift

high school graduation!  oh my!  (the gift is a dr. who journal, of course.)

it started in 2006 with this post: advice for my daughter.  the final version is as follows:

Work hard. Be nice to people.  Believe in yourself. Show class. Have pride. There is no elevator for success, you will have to take the stairs. Walk into a room with confidence. Respect yourself. Respect others.  Listen to your mother.  Always keep learning new things.  Pay attention when you are driving.  Listen.  Do the right thing.  Don't cut yourself.  Don't kill anyone.  Question everything.  Forgive and forget.  Be funny.  Vote.  Smile as often as you can.  Finish college.  Think positively.  Don't run with scissors.  Try to get a full night's sleep every night. Be honest.  Keep your promises.  Remember that the bible, however noble, was written by a man.  Listen to music every day.  Have a pet, you'll live longer.  Don’t let your happiness depend on another person. Order a cheeseburger on the first date if you want to.  Give credit. Take blame. Don't let anyone tell you no.  Even if it's not been done before, you can be the first one.

Sometimes the best way to say it has already been said:

“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. ~Milton Berle

You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them. ~Michael Jordan

Share your sparkle wherever you are. ~Dodinsky

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. ~Les Brown