Become an expert in something. Even if it something very niche or esoteric. Push past the part where things get hard and it is easy to get bored and walk away. And no, your major in college doesn't count.
I had a hairlip moment and for some reason this triple posted. In any case, here is a motivating thought for bettering yourself that I live by: You come into this world with one possession, it is the same possession they will stick you in the ground or incinerate you with. It is your name. What happens from the cradle to the grave to your name is the most important thing you should ever consider. How you behave, how you treat others, your word, what you do and how you do it will stick to your name. When your name is spoken, even not in your presence, there is and always will be something attached to it. It is entirely up to you what is attached to your name and how you are thought of or remembered. When or if you decide to be a better person or expand you capabilities, remember this. This should be all the motivation you need.
I mean, I'm pretty sure that the lovely ladies of the board are already well aware of the awesome that is the ben wa ball. It has also been suggested that I at times have some vaginal hubris, so I figured I would avoid this topic (total fail, apparently). I do wholeheartedly recommend getting ben wa balls and then doing things like seeing if you can grocery shop with them in. Way fun.
So, we need to be instructed on washing our genitalia and not to be dicks to be better people and yet at the same time we're familiar enough with ben-wa balls that we can take them as read? Maybe we're not the kind of people who should be giving out advice on how to be better people if that's the case.
<a class="postlink" href="http://artofmanliness.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://artofmanliness.com/</a> There's even a section on shaving.
I think this quote from Danny Kahenman is relevant and is good advice in general: "Nothing in life is as important as you think it is when you're thinking about it."
I went to a CLE about two months ago, and the speaker referenced a book, 'The Four Agreements.' I decided since I had not read it that I would do so. I was glad that I did. I will warn you, the book tends to be very 'new agey' and 'mystical.' Normally, these types of things put me off, but I did find at its core four pretty good sound bits of advice that I made goals for this year. So far, I think they've put me on a better path to being happier, and I think they are applicable to both men and women. Without further ado (and a warning that the following is my take on them, if this interests you, read the book for your own interpretation). 1. Speak impeccably. This entails being honest, but it also entails not speaking ill of others. If someone is a bad person, other people probably already know that, there's no need for you to poison their minds. 2. Don't take anything personally. I have a huge problem with this, I take everything personally. I do find that more and more, if someone says something to me, or about me, that I don't like, I just take a breath and say 'it's more about them than it is me.' The really hard part is to not take compliments personally either. Can't do one without the other. 3. Don't make assumptions. I used to think I didn't do this, only to find upon further examination that I do this all the time. So I'm in the process of untraining myself to not make assumptions and ask myself 'what do I REALLY know about this situation/thing/object, etc.' Often I find I know a hell of a lot less than I thought I did and have merely filled in a lot of blanks with my personal biases. 4. Always do your best. This seems obvious. Sometimes your best isn't the absolute best, it's the best you can do at the moment. I find that I do things better, even little trivial things when I ask myself 'is this the best I can really do right at this moment?' If the answer is 'yes' then I don't usually feel any guilt if it didn't turn out the way I hoped because I truly did the best I could. If the answer is 'no' I then try to force myself to do my best to get to answering this question with a 'yes.' They sound simple, and have been covered in parts by others. It's just something I've found useful for myself and thought it might be appropriate here.
Be honest. With yourself and others. Honest about your intentions, your feelings, and your plans. You don't have to be the TMI guy, but you should be honest, when questioned. Be kind. Kindness costs nothing, yet rewards so greatly. It takes almost zero effort to hold a door, say please or thank you, or to let the guy with a bottle of water and a can of formula go in front of you in the checkout. Wash your face. Ladies, I love makeup, but makeup won't help if my skin looks like ass. Men...for the love of God, they're called pores. They catch shit. It's gross. Scrub. Say it - Mean it. Whatever it is. "I love you"? You better. "I'll be there"? Show up. "Let's get together next week..." Make the plans and do it. Actions speak louder than words and your actions dictate how others will perceive you. Every day is an opportunity to wake up and be better than the day before. Every day is a chance to grow, change, and thrive. Know what it means to thrive. Love passionately. Every day you define your legacy. People will remember you. What kind of memories they make...It's completely up to you.
I like that this thread started with How to Look Better, then went to How to Seem Better, and finally How to Be a Better Man/Woman (focus). At this rate, by the time SuapyG posts (Soupy Soupy Soupy...appear!), his overly wordy, grandstanding but well meaning and ultimately heartfelt and true words of wisdom will enable us to achieve a higher plain of existence.
1. Be gay in the morning, in whatever way you want. 2. Don't shit in other people's cereal, unless they are eating Count Chocula bullshit. 3. When standing with your arms crossed, try to project a pleasant image with your lip-things and eyes. 4. If other people don't like you, steal their garbage and then hide it in the bushes around their house. 5. Profit. 6. Wear a scarf sometimes, if ya' want to. 7. Be thrifty, but care. 8. Don't sleep. Ever. 9. Broncos are Tebows with black paint on their skin. 10. Today.