Book Review: Who Moved My Cheese - Spencer Johnson

Who Moved my Cheese, a novel by Spencer Johnson, was published in 1998. I first read this book back in 2002 or 2003. It was given to a group of us in the small office I worked in. I remember learning some absolutely life changing lessons on dealing with and accepting the inevitable change in our lives. It’s no secret that during that period of my life I did not like change, but this book opened my eyes to the wonderful things that were just waiting to occur in my life, simply by my learning to deal positively with change, no matter how unexpected.

The book tells the story of Scurry and Sniff, (the mice), and Hem and Haw (the two miniature humans), and their adventures as they wind through a maze of rooms, some filled with cheese and some that are not. The book encouraged me to look for new and better opportunities for improving the quality of my life, not just when times are hard or when things are uncomfortable, but to seek them daily.

Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.

**Having cheese makes you happy.

**The more important your cheese is to you,

        the more you want to hold on to it. 

**If you do not change, you can become

        extinct.  

**What would you do if you weren’t afraid?  
**Smell the cheese often so you know when it

         is getting old.  
**Movement in a new direction helps you find

        new cheese.  
**Imagining myself enjoying new cheese even

        before I find it, leads me to it.  
**The quicker you let go of old cheese, the

        sooner you find new cheese.  
**Old beliefs do not lead you to new cheese.  
**Noticing small changes early helps you 

       adapt to the bigger changes that are to

       come.

One of my favorite parts of the book is an illustration on page 74 titled, “The Handwriting on The Wall”. This is a summary of the lessons learned from the book. Below are a few of my favorite summary points listed as the "handwriting on the wall".

**Change Happens: They keep moving the
         cheese
**Anticipate Change: Get ready for the cheese 
         to move
**Monitor Change: Smell the cheese often so 
         you know when it is getting old
**Adapt to Change Quickly: The quicker you 
         let go of old cheese, the sooner you can 
         enjoy new cheese
**Change: Move with the cheese
**Enjoy Change: Savor the adventure and 
         enjoy the taste of new cheese
**Be ready to Change Quickly and Enjoy it 
        Again and Again: They keep moving the 
        cheese

Some criticism was given to managers and corporate executives who mass distributed the books to employees as a way to get the employees to agree with or get on board with changes at work, such as cutting hours or other things to the detriment of the employee, in an effort to get the employees to see the change as positive, and good for the whole team overall, even when it was not.

For me though, it was and will always be one of the best lessons I could have ever had in dealing with the changes in life, the inevitable changes, good or bad. The creative way in which the author chose to give this much needed advice to those who struggle with reacting negatively to change, made this an enjoyable and easy read.

Renewing The Spiritual Self

I blogged a couple of months ago about the importance of renewing the physical self and I listed several techniques one can use to assist with starting a healthy regimen for renewal. In addition to being physically fit one must also remain spiritually healthy as well. We have to renew our spiritual selves to maintain healthy and harmonic balance in our daily life.

There are just as many ways to renew your spiritual self and continue to maintain a healthy spirit as there are ways to maintain physical health. Popular renewal techniques for spiritual health include meditation and prayer, yoga and deep breathing exercises. Other options for renewing spiritual self are listening to music that soothes you or that gives you a good vibe (feeling), laughing out loud, doing something for others, and thinking positive thoughts and speaking positive affirmations, like quotes, throughout your day.

Daily meditation and prayer are popular and easy ways to relieve daily stress and maintain positive harmonic flows through your body. Meditation can be performed in various ways, and I encourage you to find time to meditate daily. It is most effective if done in quiet places, free from distractions. The website, Meditate in London http://www.meditateinlondon.org.uk/, has an informative article titled, “How to Meditate”, and there are several other helpful articles on this site related to meditation, which is a reliable spiritual health renewal technique.

Doing yoga and deep breathing exercises will increase your physical and mental health and thereby increasing overall spiritual health. Yoga and or deep breathing should be done in addition to your regular physical exercises. While yoga is best performed in comfortable clothing and a relaxing setting, breathing deeply can be done anytime and anyplace.

Take time each and every day to do something that satisfies your soul. Listen to your favorite playlist, or take time to unwind by reading a good book. Find humor in your daily life by looking at things from a different perspective. Don’t walk through the day being angry at yourself or others. This will only drain you and leave you feeling tired. Instead, use that precious energy to change that which is causing you to feel angry. Solve the problem, at the root, and don’t just continue to react to it with negative vibes. From positive thoughts come positive solutions.

Renewing your spiritual self will create positive energy for your mind to use to be more creative and to tap into your God-given talents and abilities and then you will find the tools necessary to use those talents and abilities to their fullest potential. When the light of your spirit is shining, nothing and no one can put that fire out. You and only you can continue to renew, continue to feed the fire, with new fuels, to keep that light shining so bright, that it becomes an eternal flame.

I cannot in this blog alone express the importance of renewing your spiritual self. It may be the single most critical action you can take toward being at peace inside and out.

Another Piece of Peace, Please

It is my belief that peace, true inner peace, cannot and should not be sought after or looked for, because it already exists in each and every one of us. The reason why some of us do not feel “at peace” is because we still have yet to accept and embrace the truth that each of us, as individuals, are ultimately responsible for our own sense of feeling "at peace". We are required to nurture, protect, and give peace the great care and consideration it deserves in our everyday life. This is necessary in order for the peace to sustain itself within us.

The first step to discovering your “Piece of Peace” is to start looking from within to uncover what your peace feels like. What brings you joy? What daily routines do you have that are in harmony with your mind and spirit? These are often keys that unlock our inner peace. Our perception of the daily events within our control, or even beyond it, has a great effect on the soul’s ability to experience peace. Start living your life in a manner that is consistent with the mind and body’s perception of peace.

Eating healthy foods intended for human consumption to avoid dis-ease and dis-comfort in the physical body and feed your mind daily with positive and encouraging thoughts. It is a fact that stress negatively impacts your physical health. When we are less stressed our breathing is more relaxed. Breathing is essential, so important that our bodies were perfectly designed to do it reflexively, without us even thinking about it. Research and implement daily routines for proper breathing techniques. This will aid the body with the flow of oxygen and will decrease stress.

Before we were ever physically born into this life, we experienced true inner peace in our mother’s womb. We were already equipped to experience a spiritual peace for eternity, but unfortunately, our brains have been trained and reconditioned to experience a life that is far from the way our souls in these physical bodies were designed to thrive. We have to retrain our brains and be in a harmonic synch with our physical bodies.

Also begin to unlearn the negative behaviors and habits we have accepted as the norm, for they are drawing us even farther from the divine understanding of self and how we interact with the community and the environment. We must remove from our lives the addictions and habits that are detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Listen and seek answers from within. You will find peace of mind, body, and spirit there.

A Piece of Peace: Homegrown Soul Food And Knowledge

I need to make some changes in my life. Instead of being angry because I am not the person I want to be, I am going to get busy being the person I know I was created to be. Part of that journey begins with changing the attitude I have toward life and people. I expect a lot from people, especially those around me, those closest to me. Sometimes I expect too much.

I can have my own little "Piece of Peace" right here, starting today. I have so much to be thankful for, and all the tools I need to make the visions in my head come true are within reach. I just need to get busy, and start making more time to do what I always wanted to do. Read, play in the dirt (gardening), write, and spend quality time with the ones I love. 

Life doesn't begin when things are right, it waits for nothing and no one. Live for today and be thankful for each day, as it is a blessing. Make the life you want to live tomorrow your action plan for the day. And always remember to be thankful for what you do have by first imagining what your life would be without it.

Never again will I confess my lack, for I have always had more than I needed, never again will I confess that I cannot, for I can do anything I focus my energies on, never again will I confess fear, for fear is simply in my own mind, waiting to destroy my hope, I will not profess weakness, for I am strong and my proof is my existence.

Take Time To Renew The Physical Self

Is the pressure of life getting you down and making you feel heavy? Are you tired and sluggish most of the time? Do you find that you have become stuck in a rut, so to say? Well, it may be due to a lack of your body feeling renewed, feeling recharged, and feeling refreshed; all necessary experiences for a healthy and physically fit human to continue to be physically fit, but often not our primary focus. We put so much pressure and strain on our physical bodies, always pushing physical abilities to the limits, and rarely taking the time to replenish that which we have drawn from so deeply and so often.

In the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Dr. Stephen Covey discusses the overall importance of physical health and he stresses that rest, relaxation, and regular physical activity are all key actions one must take daily to maintain healthy balance and order with mental and physical health. Other key factors include stress management and nutrition.

You have to eat better and learn to live better in order to feel better.

Set a physically healthy schedule for yourself daily and stick to it. By doing things everyday at a certain time they soon become healthy habits. For example, take your vitamins everyday at the same time, schedule meals and snacks for certain times of the day, take time to exercise and meditate, daily, for at least 30-60 minutes for maximum effect. (Consult your physician before starting any exercise regimen if you are on medication, or under the direction of a medical professional for an existing condition. Exercise is important for everyone, period, but each person must take into account what are the healthy limits for their specific journey).

Wake up and go to bed on time, according to your schedule, avoid taking several naps throughout a 24 hour period, and make time to sleep at least 6-8 straight hours to allow your body time to recharge its battery.

Identify any factors in your life that may be the source of unnecessary stress. Manage those things in your life and never allow them to exhaust any more of your energy than they deserve. You and you alone can control your emotions and ultimately your mood. Your physical health is directly affected by your mental emotions and attitudes. Stress bring upon disease in the body and all the internal stress you hold in will find its way out, and can manifest as cancer, as lupus, as diabetes, and other illnesses.

Eating healthy is probably one of the most essential things one can do to improve and maintain a healthy physically fit body. Choose foods that are healthy for your brain and for your body. Foods that are fresh, and not cooked, eaten raw, like fruits and vegetables, are best for you. Eaten daily, with plenty of water will increase your energy and make you feel lighter. Eating healthy is also a sure fire way to maintain a healthy weight for your height and stature. Avoid fried foods and foods high in calories, preservatives, fats and sugar. None of these are good for you. Try to cut these from your daily diet and only indulge in moderation occasionally.

There is a combination of things one must do in order to maintain a healthy physically fit body. Each person must design a regimen and schedule that works best for them. Don't make the mistake of comparing yourself  to others, or use their failures and successes to define your own. Create a schedule that includes healthy diet choices, exercise, meditation, rest and relaxation, and above all, find the chance to live, laugh, and love your way to a better you.

On Raising Children: A Personal Gift From God to You, To Be Loved and Nurtured, Not Devalued or Degraded

As I was traveling home after a four day vacation with my soul mate, I happened to be fortunate enough to get a window seat on the train; it was not crowded so I had the luxury of placing my backpack in the seat next to me, to allow me a certain degree of space and privacy. There were several other empty seats on the train at that time. As I settled in I pulled out my cell phone so I could call my honey. He was still standing just outside my window on the platform. We were still watching the episode that was unfolding as I boarded the train, a woman had lost control of her dog and she was chasing the dog so frantically she looked like she might be about to pass out. The dog eventually made it onto the train tracks and then back onto the platform. Within minutes, with the assistance of one of the station’s staff, the dog was back on the leash, and was happily walking its owner.

As we pulled off I began to hear a toddler cry, just a couple of seats behind me. Now, I know all children cry at different times for different reasons, but I have to be honest and say I don’t like it when there is a screaming child within my midst, especially if it is when I am stuck traveling on a train, bus, or plane, or anywhere that I am not able to either stop the screaming, or remove myself from the situation and setting. I know I’m not alone on this. The crying continued on and off for the first hour of the trip. The child whining and the young mother responding, “Shut up! Damn!” You could even hear an occasional slap on the child’s thin framed body, being delivered harshly by the mother. There were more derogatory and negative words being lashed upon the young child.

It became so distracting that I put down the book I was reading and just sat quietly with my thoughts. It was then, as we were departing one of the many stops along my short journey, that I noticed a young mother with her son; she had just boarded the train at the last stop. Her son was about 4 years old. She passed my seat and after about a minute I looked over my shoulder, for no other reason other than having responded to a strong feeling to do so. I noticed she and her son were both standing in the aisle and she had placed a car seat, along with several bags and one piece of luggage on wheels in a vacant seat in the row behind me. I immediately removed my backpack and offered her and her son the seat next to me. She was grateful and she thanked me with her smile.

Ever-present was the occasional whine of the toddler and cutting remarks from the mother a few rows back. After a few stops, the mother in the seat next to me removed her son from her lap, got up, and proceeded to tell the young boy that she was going to walk him downstairs, and he should wait there until she came back upstairs to the seat behind me to get her car seat and other baggage, and she would, “be right back”. I don’t normally get involved in other people’s business, but before I could acknowledge that which I was thinking, words were upon my lips offering to the mother the option to leave her son in the seat next to me, while she carried her bags and car seat downstairs, and then come back to get her son, who I promised to look after until she returned for him.

Two things leave me perplexed as I analyze this now. One, this woman was willing to leave her child with me, a complete stranger, or even worse, alone downstairs where he could risk being taken or being curious and getting off the train. What if the doors opened, and any number of horrible, nasty experiences of which a young man, so well behaved and obedient as he, (and yes, I see all that after having spent only 30 minutes next to him and his mother), should never have been encountering would have occurred?

The second thing, maybe even more perplexing, is the fact that, indeed, I did see the mother holding her son’s hand, and pulling a car seat, attached nicely on top off the rolling luggage, with one or two smaller shopping bags attached here and there, to board the train in the first place. Why was she now unable to perform the same task, even if difficult to endure?

Now, back to that "damn screaming baby". (I say this for emphasis because by the time we were approaching our last stops to our final destination, I was closely getting to my wits end with the outside noise of that unfolding negative experience). We were finally approaching the final stop, and here and there a few seats had cleared; including the one across the aisle from me, which had both seats open, and it was then that the crying and screaming got nearer. The irritated mother, and what I could now see was a darling little girl with her hair all in curls, took the seats across from me.

 
 
The mother was clearly frustrated and I 
even saw the silent tears falling down her cheeks as the child finally relented and gave the mother a few moments of silence, with her legs stretched out comfortably in the chair and her head in mommy’s lap, sucking the sippie cup of juice or soda or whatever, the mother retrieved from the bottom of her designer purse.

I am reminded of a poem that used to hang in my pediatrician's office, (Dr. Feig, on the corner of Stocker and Santa Rosalia in Los Angeles, CA), when I was a child. It was written in 1954 by Dorothy Law Nolte.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, 
they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, 
they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition,
they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration,
they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Dorothy Law Nolte

I have learned that children are a gift to us from God. They are in our care and we are their first teachers. We have a responsibility to nurture the gift we have been given, never devaluing or degrading that which God, through us as parents, created. Your creator loves you and you should love that which He creates through you.

And hell yes, it is challenging; and yes it can try your patience. But never, absolutely never, is it okay to yell out in anger at a child, to discipline in anger instead of from a loving and calm, but firm position; and it is never okay to strike a child in the way that this young woman had.

We make it a point to find other ways to communicate with our friends and coworkers, the other people in our life. We also need to be creative in the way we interact with our children, the people we have the most influence on, and the biggest opportunity we have to make this earth a little better, by creating healthy and loving and giving, and understanding members of the community.

On Being In Love: The Definition of Love

Have you ever been in love? I mean really been "in LOVE"? Now, let me ask you this? What is your definition of love?  I have learned in my life that there is more than one definition. 

In the Greek language there are several words used to describe love and they have very different meanings. Our English word "erotica" comes from the Greek word "eros", which is a more physical, sexual feeling of love. Eros is an emotional love. The energy and feelings you experience during physical intimacy create a bond based on the "good vibrations", which feel good to you, and therefore you love, or desire the person. Then there is the reciprocal form of love, described by the Greek word "phileo". In the book of Revelations the church of Philidelpha is known for its brotherly love. A love to be experienced among all mankind. There is no sexual desire attached to this form of love. It simply means if you love me, I love you. Treat people the way you want to be treated. (Sidenote: the word philosophy comes from two Greek words which mean love of wisdom)

Another word used to describe love in the Greek language is "agape". It is my belief that this is the most meaningful form of love. Anyone can have an "eros" or "phileo" love. Relationships based on physical attractions require the emotional connection experienced in moments of intimacy, and cannot sustain without them. And brotherly love is easily obtained, but it still requires the exchange of mutual benefits, similar to the "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" mentality. However, agape love requires absolutely nothing in return. Its only purpose is to give. There are no conditions required to sustain the "love".

A more familiar definition of the word love, and in my opinion a true reflection of agape love, can be found in scripture, specifically "I Corinthians 13:3-5". The version below is from the NIV Bible, although there are several others versions you may be more familiar with, depending on what bible you read from.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

This is exactly what I believe is the best description of true agape love. Each and every one of us will experience in our lifetime both eros and phileo love, because those are the types of love that our physical self is searching for. It is what our mind seeks out to satisfy it's physical cravings. But I believe that agape love is experienced at a more spiritual level. I don't believe we choose to love someone with an agape love, in fact I believe our inner spirit decides that for us and we simply get to experience it.

When two lovers are experiencing an agape love, its as if their souls unite in a harmonious union. We all have the ability to experience agape love, but it cannot be forced, rather it is the force that unites the two and allows them the opportunity to share love from within, as it was their destiny to do so.

"The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along." 

~ Maulana Jalalu'ddin Rumi

Now let me ask you again, have you ever been "in love"? My personal answer is, "no". I have been "in lust" (eros), and I "have a love" for all mankind (phileo), but I can't be, and don't really want to be "in love". Rather, real love, true love, agape love is "in" me!

My Dreams

Sometimes life get's in the way of our dreams, sometimes we allow others to stand in the way, and sometimes we are simply in our own way. Whatever the obstacle, we must find a way to overcome these distractions and take the time to pursue what is right for each of us, in our own lives. When you pursue your dreams you come closer to finding the peace and harmony in life that you internally and naturally crave.

I dream of days filled with learning, laughter, and love. Nights of explorations, and creation of dreams and goals. I long to be heard, understood, and I want to listen and understand. I want to live with someone in a harmony that is uplifting and one that provides the security of disagreements and resolutions, of compromise and sacrifice, out of love.

I want to own a home business of some sort, like collecting antiques, books, or maybe a small coffee shop, with books and music everywhere. I love history and want to travel to different countries. I want to experience life, one day at a time, and I want to share each new joy, each new pain, with someone who loves me. I want to be intellectual, I want to be silly, I want to dance, I want to sing, and I want to be appreciated. I want to serve others and enjoy finding new ways to be a creative spirit. I want to donate my time and use my talents to help others.

We could spend all day dreaming, and the truth of the matter is I may never get to all the things on my list. But it's important that each day I do something, even if its just to focus quietly and envision my dreams in my mind.

Life May Not Be The Party We Hoped For

One of my father's favorite people was his neighbor, who lives across the street, Mr. Cunningham. My father did numerous odd jobs for his friend, "Mr. C", and now that my father is no longer with us physically, my son has taken to helping out our neighbor.

Mr. Cunningham is now 90, and I can count on one hand the number of times I was in the presence of his wife Aileen, who passed late last year. She was a direct, firm, sincere, and loving spirit, I gathered all this in just those few occasions that we spent together.

Shortly after my father passed away, I received a gift from the Cunningham's, attached to the gift was a hand written note, on a small piece of stationary, and it simply read, 

"Life may not always be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well dance!" 

I saved that piece of paper, and every once in a while, I pull it out and look at it. I see her smiling as she writes the short note, words so few, with a meaning so big.

It's true, life isn't the party I always thought it would be. Life has been up and down, high and low, long and short, to and fro. Life has been joy and happiness, heartaches and pain; it's been sunshine and rainbows, after days of clouds and rain. Dance Anyway!

Life is what you make it, heaven and hell your experiences be, take the time to make the best of it, and fewer will your worries be. Appreciate the best things in life, take self inventory and you will see, the best things are all around you, and you were born to be free, so Dance Anyway!

In memory of our friend, Mrs. Alleen Cunningham, dancing with us in life!

What's Going On? ~ MLK, Jr. Memorial Dedication Chaos

September 8, 2011 ~ I just finished reading an article in the Wave newspaper regarding the quote that was placed on the memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have been following this story for the past week, since the initial delay due to hurricane Irene. Part of the problem is that it is not an actual quote of Dr. King's, but a paraphrase from a 1968 sermon given at Ebenezer Church. This was the last sermon he gave the congregation before he was so brutally assassinated.

 

I encourage you to listen to the sermon in its entirety and let his words help you decide if you believe he has been properly recognized with regard to the drum major quote quote on his memorial.

 

Excerpts from King's Speech given on 02/04/1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA:

"If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don't want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn't important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards, that's not important. Tell him not to mention where I went to school.
I'd like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry. I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.
 
Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say."


Words on the National Memorial in D.C. honoring Dr. King

“I was a drum major for justice, peace, and righteousness.”

As you can clearly see on the video above, King did not want to toot his own horn. He didn't want people to remember him for pounding his chest and bragging. The words on King's memorial, are merely a portion of the overall idea, and easily misunderstood, if taken out of context. In other words, to fully understand those few words, and the meaning Dr. King expressed to the audience at the time, one must listen to the full sermon, or at least the part leading up to statement "paraphrased" on the memorial.

I am wondering now, if the continued delay to the official dedication of the memorial has anything to do with this disagreement on how the quote was paraphrased. The website for the memorial says the official dedication will be in September or October, but the memorial itself is open for viewing. As Marvin would say, "What's Going On?"

To Thine Ownself Be True

To Thine Ownself Be True

I was first introduced to this classic line from Shakespeare's Hamlet when I was in the 7th or 8th grade at Audubon Junior High School. Our English teacher had written the phrase across the chalkboard for the day's lesson. 

Taken from the play "Hamlet", Polonius is saying farewell to his son, Laertes, who is leaving to go to Paris, and he offers his son a lecture as a parting farewell. How fitting, as Polonius was a man of many lectures and advice throughout the play.

This father's "farewell" to his son, was so much more than this one famous quote, it was actually an entire paragraph of "words to live by", and the phrase "...to thine ownself be true..." was the final and most important part of the advice Polonius offered. He is clearly taking a parental tone in this scene, and not too far off from the advice we would give our own children today.

Excerpts from Hamlet, Act I, Scene III

"Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned thought his act"

- I always like to say, "Everything that pops in your head don't have to pop out of your mouth". The latter half of this line, in my opinion, simply means you should weigh the worthiness and consequences of your actions before executing them.

"Give every man your ear, but few thy voice" 

- Listen more than you speak so that you can learn something sometime. You don't have to share your opinion on everything with everyone, every time.

"Take every man's censure, but reserve thy judgment"

- Accept all criticisms with an open mind, and close your mouth with regard to passing judgment on others.

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry."

- Never borrow anything, and pay cash for everything, it's cheaper that way. And, never loan out money or possessions that you are not prepared to give as a gift, you may never get them back, and money, nor any worldly possession, is worth losing friends over.

"This above all, to thine ownself be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

- Be a leader and not a follower; be honest with yourself first, and surely you will be more honest with others; don't lie to yourself and always speak the truth to others.

I was fifteen years old the first time I read Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and I am looking forward to reading it again.