Live Your Life Well by Following Grandma's Rules

Once upon a time, there was a kinder, gentler attitude among people of all ages.

Many of us were raised with what I think of as Grandma's Rules.

Follow the Golden Rule and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Work hard and be nice to others, even if they can't do anything to help you. Treat everyone you meet with kindness.


Whatever happened to that way of life? In an age when rudeness seems to be a way of life for many people, Grandma's Rules seem to have fallen by the wayside.

Grandma's Rules often taught doing what God wanted us to do, not what we wanted to do.

With God, all things are possible. Grandma knew that was true and it's still true today.

Back in Grandma's day, people talked freely about God.

When someone sneezed, Grandma said, "God bless you."

When someone was in trouble, Grandma said, "God help them." To wayward children, Grandma said, "God knows everything.

Grandma knew that kindness matters. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone would just be kind, even to those they don't really like.

Turn the other cheek. Grandma learned those words from the Bible.

Turning the other cheek means walking away from arguments and not reacting in anger.

Reacting with kindness means being the first one to reach out and say, "I'm sorry" even if you weren't the one who was wrong.

Work hard. No matter what your job is in life, do your best.

Whatever you are, be a good one. Grandma might say to a child, "If you are a teacher, be a good one. If you are a garbage collector, be a good one."

Spend time every day learning something new. "Look it up" is what Grandma would say to a child who asked a question she couldn't answer.

By looking something up instead of being handed the answer, you were more likely to remember it.

In all things, respond with love. Whether it's at work, school, home or play, love is the answer.

Greet hatred, anger and indifference with love and love always wins.

How would that play out in today's world? When that guy in the slow pickup is creeping along in the passing lane, you would do nothing instead of swearing aloud or under your breath.

When an angry customer lashes out at you, your response would be kind and calm. After the customer leaves the building, you wouldn't talk about them.

How was Grandma able to stay focused on the positive?

Life wasn't easier in Grandma's day than it is today. There were many chores to be done and few of today's modern conveniences.

Meals were cooked from scratch. There weren't box mixes, frozen dinners or drive-through windows.

Grandma believed in the power of good over evil. There is still good in the world today even if it's harder to find. Look for it and believe there is good in the world.

John Lennon wrote the song, "Imagine" about a world in which all people lived in peace with one another.

"Imagine all the people living life in peace" is one line from that song.

A song with a similar theme from my youth is "Let There be Peace on Earth".

The key to peace on Earth is that it must begin with me.

What would the world be like if we did all the things we were capable of doing? As the sign says, we would literally astonish ourselves.

Grandma's rules are a simple way of becoming the people we are capable of being. That's enough for me. Maybe it's enough for you too.

Until the next time, I'll take what I can get when I can get it and do the best I can to face each day with a smile on my face, a prayer on my lips and a song in my heart. Grandma would be proud.

Blogging Grandma Sandy, signing off for now.