Rule No 153 - Stick to your story. It isn't the most important subject in history but it is one about which you are uniquely qualified to speak.

History and I were never friends at school. Wait, it wasn't so much the history as it was the dates. I got to a point that just the word History used to make me break out in a cold sweat. Studying for History exams and tests was like torture. I swear at the time, sticking forks in my eyes would have sounded like a better option.

But in my old age I have started to appreciate History for what it is. The dates still mean nothing to me and I still avoid them like the plague but I enjoy a good old factual story every now and then. I think the appreciation has grown with my love of travel. Knowing the history about a place you are visiting makes you pay more attention while you are there. Well, thats how I feel.

But this rule isn't about that kind of history. It's about your own little book with your name on the front. There is no other story like yours. Not a single one. And there is a very good chance that if someone had to pick up your book and read it, they wouldn't get it. Your story is as unique as your fingerprint because even if you share a moment or an experience with other people, none of you will have the exact same memory of it.

I will probably still get the dates of my story wrong, but it's my story. And dates still mean nothing to me on the greater scheme of things. The important thing for me is that I can look back on my history and smile about most of it and know that I did everything to have the best life possible.

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Rule No.33 - Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day

Okay, rules are back and what a classic one! This quote is by Harry S Truman. He was the 33 rd president of America, historians call him “a controversial president”, the band Chicago wrote a song just for him and he has a commemorative holiday in his name on the 8 th May in Missouri. This is brilliant advise, not in the literal sense, well, that too, but if you having a seriously bad day, don’t make things worse by deliberately doing something that will bite you in the bum later. I did this the other day, so I am talking out of experience here. I went into a situation and then on the way out, after realising it was a bad situation, I kicked a fresh turd cause I was so mad. (again, not literally, although, that might have been a better idea in hindsight) My advise in this circumstance is to stay indoors that day until you have calmed yourself down. I’ll leave you with another quote from Truman : A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who ...

Rule No.59 - If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.

"Bull", meaning nonsense, dates from the 17th century, while the term "bull*&$*" has been used as early as 1915 in American slang , and came into popular usage only during World War II . The word "bull" itself may have derived from the Old French boul meaning "fraud, deceit" (Oxford English Dictionary). The term "horse*&$*" is a near synonym. Worthy of note is the South African English equivalent "bull dust". Few corresponding terms exist in other languages, with the significant exception of German Bockmist , literally "billy-goat *&%*". Funny, Suze Original and I were talking about this the other day. She went for an interview and we were laughing cause we both do the same thing. They ask you a simple question that could be answered in a line or two but we both start elaborating so much trying to make a good impression that what started as "My favorite hobby is... right to.. and that's why I...

Rule No. 76 – Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

I was on a plane last night on my way home and after my original idea of having a really awesome nap after two extremely tough weeks being completely thrown aside thanks to my hard of hearing peeps behind me that thought it necessary to use their fists on the tray to make a point, and they had a LOT of points, while bashing my chair at the same time, i decided what better time to think about this rule instead. Use my time productively. Then, somewhere between my eyes rolling back in exhaustion and semi consciousness, i looked over to the other row and there was a lady with her wallet on her lap, sorting out her slips, throwing away her bank statements. Brilliant. Seriously though, why would you want to keep them? We all do, just in case we need it for something, but when have you ever really needed them?These days they give you the option if you want to print out the receipt or not. Do yourself and the tree's a favour and just say no. Sorted. Now love letters. Aaah, love letters. I...

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