My new memoir WOODEN & ME is available here at Amazon
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A Few Things I Now Know
After blowing out enough birthday candles to grill dinner over earlier this week, here are a few things I have come to know . . .
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Like most dogs, Murray is nothing less than magnificent!
Despite all the great things said about them, dogs are still underrated.
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Chocolate is overrated. Just kidding.
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Don’t save the good china for special occasions only.
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People, not things, matter.
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Batteries in a smoke detector only get low enough to cause ear-piercing warning BEEPS! in the middle of the night, never during the day.
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The final 25 percent of power in a cell phone battery goes faster than the first 75 percent.
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Never pass up a chance to look at the ocean, a sunrise or sunset, stars on a clear night or a masterpiece painting such as Starry Night.
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Breaking bread together really does help break down barriers.
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You will pretty much never regret spending money to travel – even a “bad” trip will give you some good memories to last a lifetime.
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Robert Frost was right: take the road less traveled by.
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The hassles of air travel – security lines, flight delays, lack of leg room, etc. – are greatly overemphasized when you consider how miraculous it is that you can pretty much decide on a destination in the morning and be anywhere in America by this evening or in the world by tomorrow.
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Travel by Clipper ship, Conestoga wagon or even a Model T, now those had hassles.
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Who you travel with is far more important than where you travel.
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Spend as much time as you can with people who lift you up and as little as possible with those who pull you down.
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Double-knot your shoelaces.
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Procrastination isn’t one of the seven deadly sins so don’t beat yourself up over it – at least not until tomorrow.
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Maya Angelou was right: when you leave home, you take home with you. Also, try to be the rainbow in somebody’s cloud.
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Batman is the greatest superhero ever – well, behind moms.
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Call me old-fashioned, but I think guys shouldn’t wear hats indoors and should open doors for women.
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James M. Barrie, author of “Peter Pan”, was right: “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”
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Roller coasters and high diving boards are more thrilling when you are a kid – but just barely.
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A lot of movies are longer than they should be and most hugs are too short.
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The experts who say you can’t be your kid’s friend, even when they are young, are dead wrong. That’s my experience anyway.
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If you can choose one thing to be world class at, make it the fine art of friendship.
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The African proverb is right: “There are two lasting gifts you can give your child: one is roots, the other is wings.”
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Writing a thank-you note is always a few minutes well spent.
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Kindness is more powerful than penicillin.
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It’s not really a favor if you make the recipient feel like you are doing a favor.
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My friend Wayne Bryan is right: “If you don’t make an effort to help others less fortunate than you, then you’re just wasting your time on Earth.”
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A positive attitude will positively carry you a long way.
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It takes worn out running shoes to finish a marathon; worn out brushes before you can paint a masterpiece; and well-worn pots and pans to create a seasoned chef.
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“Like” is, um, like, an overworked word; “love” an underused one.
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Gratitude is an underworked emotion.
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John Wooden was right about most things, including: Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out; Study and work hard, but make time for play too; and, Make today your masterpiece.
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We should all make a wish and blow out a candle 365 times a year because every day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be celebrated.
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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
Check out my new memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece”
- Personalized signed copies are available at WoodyWoodburn.com
- Unsigned paperbacks or Kindle ebook can be purchased here at Amazon