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Jan 7, 2022
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Heather Johnston Brebaugh's avatar

That's a nice story, Molly. You made a difference in someone's life!

Terri's avatar

5 doesn't sit with me well. I don't think everyone is afraid. I certainly don't live daily with fear. I think most of us experience universal emotions at different times in our life - joy, fear, disappointment/regret, love, anger. I think 5 needs to be rephrased in a way that communicates we all feel the same just at different times. Maybe just stick with 10, which gets at a subset of 5. I think you are trying to get at empathy?

I would put 7 and 13 after 1 - they all speak to how we handle the ups and downs of life and are big points. I think the order of your truths matter. Putting more career ones together and more life/love/human connection ones together.

I truly dislike 20. It comes across as if you are speaking more to distrust that being analytical in your decision making.

Math, science, art, and civics really do matter. It would be nice if one of your truths speaks to creativity.

Darrell's avatar

I believe fear and love are the two most powerful and fundamental drivers of people. We often don’t recognize the ways fear can manifest itself, such as anger, procrastination and division.

Darrell's avatar

One more thought on fear: It is really about vulnerability. For example, people often say they would rather do anything than speak publicly. Anything. That is primarily because they will have to be vulnerable.

The following may be interesting:

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/daring-be-vulnerable-brene-brown

Ed Davis's avatar

Loved your Truths So very real Ed

Dorene Blake's avatar

Thanks for another inspiring read this morning and sharing your 21 beautiful truths. So many resonate with me however the one that stands out the most is #4. People will remember how you made them feel. This is so true :)

Bruce Dearborn's avatar

I enjoy your column everyday, but your 21 truths really resinated with me. I would love to have a copy available to print out for myself to keep and share that gives you full credit and perhaps info on subscribing to your daily piece

Stacey Buschine's avatar

My #21- If you have to convince yourself you did nothing wrong, you probably did. Now go fix it.

David's avatar

They all resonate, some are more relevant on different days. I recently heard ‘everybody’s free (to wear SUNSCREEN)’ on the radio which also provides useful and interesting prompts - I bought a copy to remind me. It may be available on one or more streaming services but as I don’t subscribe I found a CD copy on eBay. My #21? Listen to ‘everybody’s free (to wear SUNSCREEN)’ more often and adjust accordingly! Perhaps some of your readers haven’t heard it - makes listening to it imperative.

Ninah's avatar

#21 - Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you typically are the helper. People love to help and if they don’t, they’ll let you know. Then realize it’s not a rejection, it’s just not their schtick. Move on until you can find help. Then, don’t dump everything on them. Be mindful. It takes a village.

Darrell's avatar

Outstanding list.

#21: Be a problem-solver. Anyone can be creative by recognizing and overcoming old habits and ways of thinking from the past.

Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything.

- George Lois

Kevin Carroll's avatar

#21 listen - think - then speak. Listen skills are the most important part of a conversation. You have 2 ears to one mouth…. Listen twice as much before talking.

Kevin Carroll

Hannah's avatar

#21, Do what you can, how you can, when you can. Unless you are purposely following #14, then keep moving. Any action towards a goal is movement and gain.

Ruth LW's avatar

Love, Love all of these. my #21 "If you're facing in the right direction, all you have to do is Keep on Walking."

Ray Angelo's avatar

Great list Bill. 7 of them really resonated with me. I'm a big fan of Pareto so it was nice to see #6.

My #21 Knowledge brings possibilities; experience brings belief. So, "Just get in there!"

Dave Hintz's avatar

Good Morning Bill. Really appreciated the list. Many of them made me smile. My suggestion for #21 since I am a weather guy...Learn to dance in the rain. Life is hard, there will be tough times. Learn to see everything as an opportunity. Storms end. Appreciate the fact that without down times you can't enjoy the high times. Kids love mud puddles. Simply dance and smile.

Heather Johnston Brebaugh's avatar

So true. When one door closes, another one opens.

Paul B Johnson's avatar

Great list. My guiding principal growing up was - Enjoy today but spend some time investing for tomorrow because except for the day you die, you have more tomorrows than todays

Linda's avatar

Very meaningful list. Thank you. My number 21 would be to always have some element of love in your words and actions. The Beatles said it many years ago “All You Need is Love.” Love can heighten and escalate your joy and happiness. Love can temper and modify your anger. Love can even make grief and pain bearable. When you love yourself, loving everything else is much easier.

Heather Johnston Brebaugh's avatar

I love your last statement: "When you love yourself, loving everything else is much easier." You can't give away something that you don't have...