the rules of life

a friend of mine (shout out to dc, from the peaslee lab) posted one of the rules from the movie "zombieland" as his facebook status yesterday. this got me thinking. everyone should write the rules of their life, based on their experiences. i think it would be a great exercise in "living and learning," as they say. so i'm going to start a list. i figured that, as i think of them, i'll either add them to the end of the next post. ready for this?

amanda's rules of life

1. always keep food in your purse.

2. rock your identifier like it's nobody's business.

(lime green shoes. that is all.)

3. be weird. be you.

4. do not associate with people who don't respect you.

5. do not change your plans for a boy.

6. fight for what you want and what you love.

7. sing.

8. prove doubters wrong.

9. hypothetical violence is okay.

(read: throat punch.)

10. do not fall in love with your best friend.

11. sometimes you have to leave home before you realize you want to go back.

12. find friends who love you for who you are, and never let them go.

13. let your inner five-year-old shine.

14. do not make promises you know you cannot keep.

15. inside jokes keep friendships alive.

16. never burn bridges.

17. some people change.

18. follow your dreams and your heart.

19. do not feign interest in other people's lives.

(you will lose their respect when they realize you were only pretending to care.)

20. defend the people you love, no matter what.

21. do not change for anyone.

(the only people you should want in your life are the ones who love you for you.)

22. never believe stereotypes, gossip, or rumors.

23. if you want to know, ask. do not assume.

24. laugh so hard that your abs hurt as often as you can.

25. be grateful for what you have, and thank god for it every day.

26. hug the people you love.

27. be proud of your quirks.

(there is no one like you. remember it.)

28. make the best of bad situations.

29. have a creative outlet.

(write on.)

30. forgive.

31. do not live your life for happiness. live for fulfillment.

32. enjoy the little things.

(stolen from "zombieland.")

33. thank people.

34. love with all of your heart. always.

35. live in the present. the future will come soon enough.

36. have a bucket list, and cross things off!

well. this is certainly a good start. i'll add if i think of more rules that i live by. happy friday!