My friend is a middle school teacher and they read my blog in his class.

That, in itself, is enough to make me weep with joy and disbelief. But, what is more impressive is the picture below. A fourteen-year-old (who shall remain nameless as promised) created her own Rules after she read mine.

I will post mine first then hers.

Hers are better.

I am humbled!

 

Jen’s “Rules” To Live By:

1. Be Kind.

2. Have a sense of humor especially when it comes to YOU.

3. Write poems, even if only in your head.

4. Sing out loud, even if badly.

5. Dance, even with no rhythm.

6. If you don’t have anything nice to say…you know the deal.

7. Find things to be in awe of.

8. Be grateful for what you have right now.

9. Watch Modern Family, read Wayne Dyer, and end every complaint with “But I’m so blessed!”

10. Duh, do yoga.

11. Don’t worry. Everyone on Facebook seems like they have happier and funner lives. They don’t.

12. Tell someone you love that you love them. Right now.

13.Take more pictures.

14. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. No such thing.

15. Thank the Universe in advance.

Awesome Fourteen-year-old’s Adaptation:

Her rules are:

1) Don’t take things too seriously.

2) Make fun of yourself (Not too much!)

3) Sleep in sometimes.

4) ALWAYS have a dog.

5) Be nice to everybody because you never know who is going to be your next best friend.

6) Just don’t wear shoes sometimes.

7) Go on a trip somewhere at least every year.

8) Don’t look in the mirror too much!

9) Don’t spend too much money on one thing.

10)  Sometimes it’s ok to just not want to talk to people.

How did this fourteen-year-old get so smart?

Oh, the things I am learning from kids! Last time I taught a workshop in Austin, an eight-year-old came with her mom and ending up teaching me about fearlessness. She taught me. And now this! I think I will spend as much time possible as I can with children (and dogs) from now on.

In the comment section below, write down your own “rules” to live by.

I will pick a winner at random from the comments to attend my October Manifestation Yoga® Retreat in Ojai, California.


Jennifer Pastiloff was recently featured on Good Morning America. She is a yoga teacher, writer, and advocate for children with special needs based in L.A. She is also the creator of Manifestation Yoga® and leads retreats and workshops all over the world. Jennifer is currently writing a book and has a popular daily blog called Manifestation Station. Find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Jen will be leading a Manifestation Yoga®  weekend retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshires, Massachusetts Feb 1-3, 2013.