If you remember a while back I did a 10 commandments for my boy post. They seemed to go down well with you lot (not so well with him, he wasn’t that happy) so, I’ve decided to do another one, this time my own 10, for me, which I shall honestly try to stick to…

(That’s ‘honestly’. Not ‘all the time’.)

1) I shalt remember not to value a person who does not value me; ‘friend dates’ should be a regular thing, not seeing each other/contacting each other for weeks on end does not a friendship make. Nor shalt I be the one doing all the chasing; friendship is a reciprocal arrangement. (As is buying rounds at the bar, there is no room in my life for cheapskates…)

2) I shalt remember that helping other people helps me; especially listening and learning to see from the other perspective – assuming is stifling. I shalt also remember that although everyone thinks they are right, no one is omnipresent. I don’t actually have to listen to you, or take your advice (and i can slap you for “i told you so” type comments)

3) I shalt not think that life will be better in the future. I have to live now. However, having walked away from my life twice already, there is no need to do it a third time. I shalt keep reminding myself that life is good right now. (and that sex is free if all else fails)

4) I shalt remember that having guts always works out for me and that being brave always gets me through difficult periods in my life. Challenging myself is a good thing and makes life exciting. Whether this is travelling alone or presenting to 50 people, its never as scary as I think it will be. (Unless i find myself naked in front of an audience, like i did in my dreams last night)

5) I shalt remember that actually doing the things I set out to do increases my satisfaction in life. Whilst failure is something I have accepted, it doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t push myself to achieve things that I believe to be out of my reach. I can’t not do anything. (well, apart from singing, snowboarding, keep my nails filed neatly, face sex in the morning, stop smoking…)

6) I shalt remember that being untruthful always works against me. I’ve learnt this the hard way. Karma is real and always comes back to bite you on the ass. (if i lie to you i promise you can come bite me on the ass…)

7)I shalt remember that money does not make me happy and that material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses. I shalt not be jealous of those with more than me as even though they may more, I am happy, they might not be. (although i’d be happy if i could spend 3 weeks a year in the Maldives…)

8) I shalt remember that trying to look good for other people limits my life. I am me and this is how I look, people should like me for who I am, not what they think I should dress like. (although showering is a good idea, as is deoderant and cleaning off the cat hair from my clothes before i leave the house)

9) I shalt remember that worrying solves nothing and complaining is silly. I shall either act or forget. (and then bitch about it afterwards, just for a little while)

10) I shalt remember that low expectations are a good strategy, you can always build on what you have learnt, achieve more and never be disappointed in anyone when they don’t reach my high expectations. (the only way is up, baby, for me and you know… im still dancing to yazz 10 years on)

What are your ten personal commandments?

Kx