By: Cheryl Tully Stoll
From 1995 Archives
I am a very fortunate person. I have many wonderful people in my life. The youngest one is a little girl that I share a very special bond with; my three year-old niece. Even at this tender age, she’s her own person. As a matter of fact, I think she’s been her own person since the night she was born. She’s smart, funny, sensitive and has more stamina than the Energizer Bunny.
On a recent afternoon while she was visiting she asked me about someone who had died. After gently but truthfully answering her questions as to how and why this person had died, I began thinking about other questions she’ll have as she grows. What follows are some of the thoughts I’ve had about what I want her to know.
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If you believe in yourself other people will believe in you too.
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Realize that being healthy, smart, attractive and from a good family that loves you, entitles you to nothing; but obligates you to those less fortunate.
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You deserve to be treated the same way that you treat others.
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Men have feelings too, and men of quality aren’t threatened by women’s equality.
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Don’t try to rationalize with irrational people–they’ll only make you crazy too.
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Don’t sweat the small stuff–the big stuff alone is enough dehydrate you.
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Celebrate the differences between people–those differences are what make each of us special and unique.
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Nobody ever sat on their death bed saying, “I wish I spent more time at the office.”
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Always remember that you have the right to say “no”.
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Yes, it’s your body; but you have a responsibility to keep it drug free and healthy.
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You can’t be true to anyone else unless you’re true to yourself.
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Every child is born innocent with the God-given right to opportunity and happiness; do what you can in your lifetime to help the world’s children.
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Fight for what’s right, but pick those fights carefully.
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Have the courage to be who you are and respect other people’s rights to do the same.
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A collection of real friends is the greatest wealth you can acquire.
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Realize that if you can be bought, you aren’t worth what the other person paid.
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Never give up; quitters automatically lose.
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Appreciate your parents for who they are; forget who you wish them to be.
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Turn the other cheek when you can, and walk away when you can’t
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If it’s not worth working for, why would you want it?
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We taught your “please” and “thank you” for a reason.
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Try to see the glass as half full and if it turns out to be half empty, top it off.
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The only one who can limit your ambition is you.
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Take the time to learn about and appreciate the wonderful women in history and in your life who have come before you, then emulate them where you can for those who follow.
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Don’t ever lose sight of the fact that everything happens for a reason–although at the time it may not seem that way.
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Never do anything that you can’t tell your best friend about or say out loud while looking in a mirror.
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Everyone gets what’s coming to them; it’s not your job to facilitate it.
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Just because everyone else is doing something, doesn’t mean that it is the right thing to do.
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You should be the only person who can effect your self-esteem.
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Be grateful for what you have and share what you can.
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Prudent risk-taking will bring you much; taking stupid risks will cost you everything.
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Laugh at what you can and cry at what you have to, it will get you over the rough spots.
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And most importantly; remember that I love you more every day I know you.
Copyright Ó 1995, 2008 by Cheryl Tully Stoll
