Things I have Learned Over the Years.
by Lee Buller
Copyright 2004

The following are some things I would like my children to know and to ponder. I am not successful in any of these, but I do know they are true.

  • Never lie - it will come back and get you.
  • Do not choke up on a hammer, use the handle and take full swings - move your finger out of the way.
  • Learn the Ten Commandments - you'll keep out of jail
  • Make friends when you can - we all need friends.
  • A close friend is a must - you will be enriched to have a close friend to talk to.
  • Leadership is hard and might be over rated - but sometimes leadership is thrust on you.
  • Always do the best you can - even if you fail.
  • Walk away from a fight - but it you have to fight - fight to win.
  • Never say anything bad about anyone - at least not in public.
  • Remember, the vehicle with the most lugnuts wins in an accident.
  • Never flip-off anyone while driving - this is just rude and it could lead to gun play.
  • You should obey your boss - but don't break laws for him or your own ethics - the job is not worth it.
  • Learn, struggle, and strive to keep your sexual desires in check - until you are married.
  • Marry someone who will enjoy intimate relations - often, multiple times, eager.
  • Pussy makes a man stupid. (This is not original to me, but it is a great truth)
  • Get a hobby - it will keep you sane
  • Get more than one hobby - so you don't obsess over one.
  • Find balance in your life in everything you do.
  • Your job is not you.
  • Your career is not all important - your career is something you chose to do because it sounded neat.
  • Change your career at any time - do not think you're a failure for doing so.
  • Be passionate about something.
  • My Mother shared this with me when I was a young man, "All you have to do in life is to breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out,...."
  • As you grow older keep active - stay off the couch, get away from TV, and find physical activity
  • As you grow older, do not eat like you did when you were 20 - learn to eat properly.
  • Obesity can or will kill you.
  • Learn how to shoot a rifle, shotgun, and pistol - just for fun if not for food.
  • Learn how to fish - gives you time to think.
  • Learn how to butcher what you shoot or catch - otherwise you might go hungry.
  • Go to church regularly - you might catch it.
  • Pray regularly - this is good for the soul.
  • When you do pray, ask God to bless you - then ask him to bless others.
  • Learn how to dance.
  • Take a few minutes out each day and have some quiet time.
  • On a regular basis, turn off the TV, do not read a book, but just sit and let your mind wonder.
  • Never take yourself seriously.
  • Never get offended - this is a selfish act.
  • As a man, don't throw away your role as a man because it is to hard or it is inconvenient.
  • God loves me - just for being human - even more so for believing in Jesus
  • I do not have to perform to obtain God's love - that is so cool.
  • Check your pockets for keys and wallet before leaving the house - this keeps me secure
  • When you build something, take the time to make a sketch - saves time.
  • Use your daily shower to think - just plain refreshing.
  • Bless people - yes, actually say "bless you" to people - blessings will come back in "spades!"
  • When you argue with your wife, do it naked - you won't argue for long.
  • Find a way to have fun once a day - if you don't you will pay for it later.
  • If you are sad more than a week, seek medical help - depression is not a good thing.
  • Learn to love deeply.
  • Love your children unabashedly.
  • Love your children without strings attached.
  • Tell your children you love them and do it at least daily of not more.
  • Tell your adult children that you love them each time you see them or talk to them.
  • Be careful with gasoline - just good advice.
  • Make sure you make time for your wife and each child.
  • Keep all body parts dry.
  • Feelings are natural and good, but they must be tempered with rational thought
  • Rational thoughts should always be tempered with your feelings.
  • Relationships with people are very important.
  • Take care of the vertical and the horizontal will fall into place.
  • Give - of your resources - time, money, love - it will be returned to you 30, 60 or 100 fold.
  • Mow your lawn different directions to you do not make permanent tracks in the lawn.
  • Do not look at porn on the internet - this is nasty and could be addicting to you.
  • Be a sexual being but do not abuse your sexual being.
  • Encourage others - and you will make many friends.
  • Change oil in your car every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
  • Smile - smiles are infectious.
  • "Please" and "Thank you" are good words - make a practice of using them.
  • Respect and honor your elders - they have more experience and wisdom.
  • Honor your Ma and Pa - one of the ten - even if they do drive you crazy.
  • Family is very important - even the cousins you don't see very often.
  • Never brook stupidity.
  • Accept ignorance - but teach the ignorant so they will know.
  • Stupidity is "knowing in your knower" some knowledge, but failing to use that knowledge.
  • Risk taking can be exhilarating and it can be dangerous - be cautious.
  • It seems common sense is in short supply - make sure you have plenty stored up.
  • Never try to beat a train.
  • Kiss your mate everyday.
  • Be kind - it is easy to be an asshole.
  • Don't keep score against your mate.
  • Forget the offense - forgive the offender - you'll me much happier.
  • Never go against God's anointed - Pastor, Profit, Apostle, Teacher, Evangelist.
  • Discipline your children at an early age and later on you won't need to - they will know.
  • Love does not mean you're a doormat.
  • Fill up your car before you run out of gas.
  • Be honest in all your dealings - dishonesty will haunt you and come back to ruin you.
  • Help your mate - even when she or he doesn't ask.
  • Don't eat before you go to bed.
  • Volunteer
  • Teach somebody something - even when you don't know think you know "something."
  • Life long learning is life long.
  • Learn how to cook - and learn how to cook more than one thing.
  • Tip when it is appropriate - that is how people make a living.
  • See a doctor regularly - this is really true when you get older
  • Do not be afraid to go to the dentist regularly - dentistry has become painless.
  • Allow people to love you.
  • Be modest - but don't fake it.
  • Cry like a baby when you have to - it is good for the soul - there is no shame in crying.
  • Don't try to make sense out of something that is a mystry - it will drive you crazy.
  • Read a lot of books - fiction, non-fiction, history, etc.
  • Be eclectic when it comes to music - it is all wonderful - a very special gift.
  • Learn First Aid.
  • Learn CPR - really - you might save a life.
  • Keep up on current events so you don't bore people talking about things that happend years ago.
  • Politics - it is OK to have politics, but don't take it seriously.
  • Be practical when you can.
  • Learn a trade.
  • Be respectful to the professors but honor the garbage man - he is doing something we don't want to do.
  • Never look down your nose at anyone - they might be sitting closer to Jesus at the banquet.
  • Take pride in your accomplishments - but don't blow your horn too loud.
  • A person should read at least three literary classics in their life time - more if you want.
  • When backing always look back to see where you are going.
  • Technlogy should not own you - use technology for your own benefit.
  • Always plant grass in the fall.
  • Make time to see a sunrise once in a while.
  • Communication is important to a relationship - it involves not only speaking but listening.
  • Realize when your children have become adults - work to create a friendship bond.
  • Great friends are priceless.
  • Protect your heart from hurt - that is the way to anger and hatred - not good for the soul or the body.
  • Make sure you have a defense for your beliefs - at least know how to explain your beliefs.
  • When you give the responsibility of family finances to your wife, she becomes the boss.
  • Check the mileage on your wife's car to see if you need to change oil - don't rely on her to tell you.
  • Admit when you are wrong - ask for forgiveness.
  • Answer the phone with a smile - you can hear a smile on the other end.
  • Learn personal public releations.
  • Take a shower each day or at least regularly - especcially when meeting someone on a date.
  • Always carry ID with you.
  • Find a way to erradicate anger from your life - you'll be free to pursue love.
  • Make out a Will when you have children.
  • Know that someday you will have to bury your parents.
  • Also know that someday you might have to help your mate bury parents.
  • Think!
  • Brothers and Sisters are priceless - but they can sure piss you off in a heartbeat.
  • Take your medication prescribed by your Doctor.
  • Putting a bow tie on a pig does not change the pig's eating habits.
  • Confession is good for the soul - but to it with great judgement because it can ruin your reputation.
  • Learn how to live life with abundance, or learn to live life with more life.
  • Live large - have fun - don't sweat the details - don't apologize to those who live small.
  • Keep your mouth shut - at least learn to think before throwing up your brains.
  • Cancer is hideous!
  • Fear can be overcome with the help of Jesus.
  • Anger is to Love like a wet blanket to a fire.