I often gave my children “life lessons.” These were often funny and self-deprecating. Like the time I was cutting down a small tree connected to a second tree with vines. When I felled the first tree, the second landed on my head. “Son,” I said, as blood streamed down my forehead, “Life lesson: always check for vines when cutting down trees.” But life lessons were often serious and a way to communicate values from one generation to the next.

At my daughter’s request, I wrote a list of life lessons that could be passed on to my grandchildren as they grow older. Perhaps these life lessons might be of interest to Recorder readers as well. (Full disclosure: these are aspirational. I fall short of fully following many of these.)
• Treat all people with respect.
• Take time to try to understand what makes a person the way that they are. Often times, a person who is behaving badly has a back story that gives you reason to be more sympathetic to them.
• Find love in your life.
• Surround yourself with good people. Seek friendship from those who have a strong moral compass and from those who treat you with respect. Choose a loving partner who loves you for exactly who you are, who respects you and encourages you to fulfill your dreams.
• Develop an internal locus of control. This means feel good about yourself because there are things about you that are beautiful and wonderful — not because others offer you praise. When you learn the difference between right and wrong, do right because it is the right thing to do, not because someone is watching or judging you.
• Find joy in your life.
• Choose a career that allows you to do what gives you joy. It is a special gift when your occupation matches your avocations.
• Be a mensh — give back. Throughout your life, in whatever way you can, use your position, your intelligence, your energy to give back to others.
• Appreciate nature’s gifts.
• If you choose to join a religion, do so because you understand and support the basic tenets of that religion, rather than blindly following some orthodox dictates.
• Stay healthy. Eat well, exercise often.
• Be grateful for the blessings you have in your life and feel empathy for those who have fewer privileges than you.
• Nice guys don’t always finish last. Whether or not you win a race depends on which race you have chosen to run. And the choice is yours alone to make.

Perhaps in these divisive times, it would help if we all could stay in touch with the value of kindness and love. (Yes, I am well aware that this is reminiscent of the flower children of the 60s!)

Peter Rosnick lives in Conway.