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Any Rules?

(45 Posts)
sunseeker Wed 06-Sept-17 13:23:37

After being taken advantage of (again) by a "friend" I have given myself a real talking to and have decided on a set of rules I will now try to follow:

1. Its not your job to solve everyone's problems
2. Don't believe everything you are told - double check
3. Never take anything for granted
4. If you need help - ask for it (finding this one difficult)
5. Trust your gut feeling

Anyone else have a set of rules

Nelliemaggs Sat 09-Sept-17 12:22:52

My first rule should be 'Don't break the following rules' .

Rule No 1. Say 'No' if I have other things to do.

Yesterday I managed to say no to again accompanying someone I first met when we found found ourselves in the same hospital ward four weeks ago, to a more distant hospital, for a procedure that was going to take several hours and several more in traveling to and fro.

Then I felt so bad, thinking how would I feel in her position if I asked for help and was told 'No' that I rang up and committed myself to three-weekly trips even though I am downsizing and have a million things to do.

I always think how blessed I am with two helpful DCs and how awful it must be to have no-one.

I will probably break all my other rules too so won't waste time listing them?

grandMattie Sat 09-Sept-17 12:37:02

Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
I would really like to keep that one, but my life is a triumph of hope over the above-mentioned expectation!

lemongrove Sat 09-Sept-17 13:09:22

Hope for the best, expect the worse? ?

adaunas Sat 09-Sept-17 13:21:05

Some great rules here. The don't ask, tell saves endless time for me with teenagers.

Saying no, Nelliemags I feel for you. I would need to add 'don't feel guilty when I say no' or I find myself doing the sort of thing you just did.

Magsymoo Sat 09-Sept-17 13:55:46

My number 1 rule for 2017 is 'always challenge if someone makes sexist, racist etc comments in my presence'. I used to let things go, take the easy way out, pretend I'd not heard or it didn't matter but now I feel that is colluding with the offence and it makes me feel bad. So now I go for it.....

lesley4357 Sat 09-Sept-17 14:05:28

My lovely neighbour has a motto - BKHP - be kind, help people.

Nelliemaggs Sat 09-Sept-17 14:26:14

My lovely Muslim neighbour, who offers his help whenever we encounter each other, says we are put on this earth to help one another.

I don't have any religious beliefs and don't know who it was who 'put' us here but that sounds good to me as a rule to try to follow.

Stella14 Sat 09-Sept-17 14:29:05

As the Dhali Lama says 'be kind'.

grandMattie Sat 09-Sept-17 14:30:26

Oh yes! Absolutely Stella

gillyknits Sat 09-Sept-17 16:17:44

Never talk about anybody in a derogatory manner to any 'friend' as it may come back and bite you.That so called friend may rush to tell that maligned person.

Nemoiudex Sat 09-Sept-17 16:34:39

Don't beat yourself up for being taken advantage of by a friend. Or even by a "friend". Don't let it make you suspicious and distrustful.

princesspamma Sat 09-Sept-17 16:55:21

Measure twice, cut once...!

1974cookie Sat 09-Sept-17 17:21:02

I have always said that you should trust your instincts implicitly as they are telling you something whether it is good or bad.

sanflan Sat 09-Sept-17 17:28:09

I am a newbie to posting but can anyone tell me when there is a disaster or emergency in America and the emergency services/mayor etc are giving a television update there are always loads of people standing behind them.

sanflan Sat 09-Sept-17 17:29:21

Sorry that was meant to be a new post!! Don't how to post it? You can see I am new at this!

MissAdventure Sat 09-Sept-17 18:37:30

Don't worry. I've done that too, even though I've been using the site a little while. wink

WendyS Sat 09-Sept-17 19:24:33

Stop endlessly talking, just get over it.

cassandra264 Sun 10-Sept-17 10:18:11

I had a model for a mother in law, who was bad at making and keeping friends.

As a result, I developed the following rule for myself:

Don't judge anyone by his or her outside appearance. Get to know the person inside. You will both be happier.smile

granmanat Sun 10-Sept-17 18:09:22

When dementia really took hold of my dear old mum she use to say, 'Do your best and let the good Lord do the rest.'
She'd say this to anyone and everyone who came to visit her at home and in the care home in her final days. Very wise words indeed which I have adopted for myself.
I miss my mum...