What Defines You?

This is a great quote:

"Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything."

What defines you?

Are you an A type personality? Do you have a set schedule and a routine? Do you live by the clock?

Are you more laid back and relaxed? Do you let the worries of the world worry about themselves and you live carefree?

Or, maybe you're a bit of both?

I checked the Internet about "what defines you" and I was amazed at the number of quotes there are from various people about defining yourself and what defines a person. I thought I'd share them with you.

"Don't let other people define you. It's not their life; it's not their story. Live your own life, and write your own story. Define yourself."

"Smile despite the circumstances and laugh throughout the pain. Life is full of hardships but it is how you deal with them that will, in the end, define you." -- Nishan Panwar

"Don't ever let a negative past define you, let it be a lesson that strengthens you and leads you on the right path to a positive, better and brighter future." -- Rashida Rowe

"Be able to define yourself at all times. Do not wait for someone else to come and define you. Accept and embrace your individuality. Be inspired to be the BEST YOU and never let no one get your self esteem down."

"It's not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me." -- Christian Bale

"It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." -- Carlton Fisk

"What you invest your tie in defines who you are." -- Todd Duncan

"Life experience is what defines our character, if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You know, you need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is important." -- Nev Schulman


So, what defines you?

7 Cardinal Rules in Life

I've found out that there are seven cardinal rules in Life.

Yep. Life. The big "L".

Did you know there were seven? I thought a lot more. But, here we can distill it down to seven. I'll help you out.

In reverse order.

7. Smile. You don't own all the problems in the world.  Did you think you owned all the problems? Can't be bothered with just your own, you have to take ownership of everyone else's problems as well? Well, knock it off. Forget everyone else's problems and worry about your own.
There. That's outa here.

6. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you. Well, here we go again, wanting to be in charge. This one is giving you permission to be in charge of your own happiness. Just don't let anyone else be in charge of it. Not their problem. See number 7 above.

5. Stop thinking too much. It's alright not to know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it. Whoa. Pretty big one, eh? Least used sentence in the world: "I don't know." Everyone thinks they have to have an answer. It's okay to say, "I don't know."

4. Don't compare your life to others and don't judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about. That's really what it's all about, right? Not knowing what the other person's journey is? I get that. I have Bipolar Disorder, I don't expect anyone else to understand that, regardless of walking a mile in my shoes. But, in return, I don't want to change shoes with you, either. I'm comfortable in mine. Yours might pinch my toes.

Besides, the Bible says that Christians are not to judge each other. So, don't. Okay?

3. Time heals almost everything, give it time. That's a good one to think about, don't you think? We really need to just give some things enough time to work themselves out and heal.

2. What others  think of you is none of your business. I had to re-read that sentence a couple of times before it made sense. Now it makes perfect sense. I don't care what you think of me, it doesn't matter. The only person who is subject to my thoughts is God. He thinks I'm a pretty darn good person. I happen to agree with Him. Enough said.

1. Make peace with the past so it won't screw up the present. I guess I know why that's number one. It's a big point to make. It's all about forgiveness. You forgive yourself. You forgive others. You forget your past. It's done, over. Move on.

So, those cardinal rules aren't so bad. Can you live with them? Now that I've gone through all seven, I think they're worth living.

What about you?