A cheerful countenance and disposition are tremendous assets. A tendency to be otherwise in interpersonal relationships is not.
– Norman W. Clark
I seriously had the best parents a child could ever have.
They were loving, kind, good-humored, hard-working and bright. I never saw them argue or speak harshly with each other. I knew they loved each other and that they loved me. They believed in God and were committed to keeping His commandments and teaching principles of faith and integrity in their home.
They were great examples to me. Some of my friends were from wealthy families and had large homes, but more often than not, they would spend time in my home. I think it’s because my mother just loved them and would always bake cookies for them. My parents both gave their children some advice in their later years and wrote it down. It’s worth sharing. I know their example has shaped me and I hope that I am an example of the same values.
Here is some of their best advice.
Lois C. Clark
Some Things I Have Learned in 80 Years of Living
- Love the Lord and remember that the Lord loves you.
- Life is a gift.
- Be grateful for each day.
- Don’t think the future will be better.
- Enjoy something every day. Look for something beautiful each day, even if it is an ordinary thing like a flower or a sunset.
- Express your love and admiration for your loved ones. Tell them of the great joy you have in them.
- You are responsible for you.
- Daily prayer is a joy.
- There is life after death. As a widow, I understand this.
- Roll with life’s adversities. I can roll better with them because my nerve endings are covered with fat.
- Remember, your family is forever, even if you don’t like it.
- Keep your promises.
- Be kind to the person in the mirror.
- Travel every chance you get.
Norman W. Clark
For my lovely family – some things in which I strongly believe as guides by which to live…..
- A cheerful countenance and disposition are tremendous assets. A tendency to be otherwise in interpersonal relationships is not.
- Many more people fail in their employment and other endeavors because of an inability to relate well with their associates than because of their inability to perform the tasks asked of them.
- Life is one eternal round. We keep meeting up with people we have known before. Therefore, trying to leave ill will behind burnt bridges is not only futile but harmful to us. Depart each experience in such a way that you can meet any of those involved at any future time with grace and goodwill.
- This is not to say we should be floor mats for those who would tread over us. Humility is an essential virtue. But so is self-respect – maintained with modesty and respect for others but with whatever degree of firmness may be required by the circumstances.
- Happiness is not something we seek and find in pleasures. It comes in the form of deep peace and contentment as the by-product of worthy endeavors and whole family relationships.
- Therefore, set your sights high. Our futures are largely what we ourselves make them. You’ll never reach a goal without having one.
- There is really no substitute for hard work. And we should not be too proud to do any kind of honest work.
- Still, the world appears full of “can-do” people and yet seemingly almost empty of “will-do” people. Too rate is the person who gives of himself liberally, stretching his talents and abilities to their practical limits. Giving that extra ten percent sets you apart.
- You will not err in seeking and associating yourself with people and things of high quality. Quality friends and associates are of inestimable value. Low-quality associates can lead you to sorrow. Likewise, you never regret spending money for high-quality goods. But you often regret settling for the shoddy.
- Spirituality is the great balancer. The efficacy of prayer is a reality. Faith in God beyond intellectual understanding and diligent service in His church are essential requisites of the kind of life I would wish for you.