Rules: for my daughter and son

Being a coach, I've always stressed three important things for the teams that I have worked with:

• Try your best.
• Be a good sport/teammate.
• Have fun!

While I try to incorporate those rules in all aspects of my life, I've recently found myself thinking of the many tidbits of guidance that I've learned through my years - from both friends and foes.  Some good, some bad.
My list of rules for my daughter and son is as follows - you can decide if they're gender-specific, or good or bad:

• Doors:  always expect to have one held for you, or do the holding.  Neither kindness nor chivalry is dead, and neither are sexist.
• Stand:  for the flag, when shaking a hand or when a lady comes to the table.
• Introduce:  yourself to others and to new things in life.
• Sing:  loud and proud - remember, it's not how well you sing, but how you commit to the process.
• Smile:  it's not only contagious - it's fun.
• Run:  to open arms and away from negativity.
• Score:  be confident and determined - succeed.
• Protect:  others and your heart.  
• Respect:  yourself and others.  Be kind.
• Grab:  opportunity when it's presented and hands that aren't being held.
• Look:  both ways and others in the eye.
• Laugh:  often and loudly.
• Love:  often and fully, even when it may feel that it's not warranted - either by the giver or receiver.  
• Comfort:  those that need it and your soul.
• Cry:  in good times and in bad - never fear shedding a tear.  If others are uncomfortable 'cause you're crying, that's their concern... maybe help them understand.
• Wash:  often.  Smelling good is directly associated to feeling good.
• Strive:  to be your best and bring the best out of others.
• Learn:  from every opportunity and with situations and people who have different experiences than you.
• Challenge:  appropriately and what you believe to be true.  Never stop learning and growing.
• Strive:  to make yourself and the world around you better.
• Experience;  emotions through life.
• Be early:  both getting up and going down - as well as to parties.  Show importance to yourself and those around you.
• Talk:  when necessary.
• Listen:  with the intent to understand, not respond.
• Fear:  unfenced cliffs and poisonous snakes.  All other things should be explored.
• Read:  both books and others, not forgetting that both have a table of contents and CliffsNotes.  Know the difference.
• Pick up:  garbage and pieces that you had involvement in breaking.
• Save:  for the future, but don't be afraid to spend in the present.
• Live:  like there's a tomorrow and be ready for it!

This list is not complete... and certainly not exhaustive.  I reserve the right to change and/or update at my whim... as new tidbits of guidance come my way.  Please feel free to add or subtract as you see appropriate, as long as it works for you!