The Best Advice You Received
- Do something today your tomorrow self will thank you for. — Ava Shaffer, Cincinnati
- The real game doesn’t start until the fourth quarter. I take it to mean that you are never out of time, and it is never too late to make a comeback. — Annelise Medina, Los Angeles
- People who avoid their own feelings will neglect yours. — Jennifer Pagliaroli, Bethlehem, PA
- If you have a plant with mealy bugs, spray it with rubbing alcohol. — Joli Holmberg, Minneapolis
- Even one step a day gets you 365 steps farther in a year. — Andie Daniels, Charlottesville, VA
- It could be great? — Angela Southern, Pflugerville, TX
- “Shake the tree,” my mom advised. “You never know what will fall out.” Put another way: It never hurts to ask. I shook the tree this year and some great things came about: a new mentor, a penalty waived for a late submission, a free plate of zeppoles. — Jennifer Suzukawa-Tseng, New York City
- Attend funerals for relatives of people you don’t know really well. It is the kindest thing you can do for an acquaintance. — John Immerwahr, Bryn Mawr, PA
- Stop thinking about your problems and make someone else happy. — Sonja Jewell, Leesburg, VA
- Don’t just put things back. Put them away. — Tracie McGinnity, Rochester, N.Y.
- If you’re worried about something that really doesn’t matter and you know eventually you’ll say, “Who cares?,” why not just go straight to “Who cares?” — Kimberly Andersen, Old Bridge, N.J.
- Instead of trying harder, try softer. — Martha Bonnie, Phoenix
- Everything is better after you stretch. — Tal Hadani-Pease, Sherman, Conn.
- If you’re going to procrastinate, do something you enjoy. — El’isha Allen, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
- It’s never too late to have a good day. — Carolyn Kettler, Kansas City, MO
- Go to the doctor! — Amy Henning, Palatine, IL
- The only time you should look in someone else’s bowl is to see if they have enough. — Jess Wehmeier, Indianapolis
- Love shows up. — Kathy Fry, Grosse Pointe, Mich.
- Some seasons you produce fruit, some seasons you prune, and some seasons you let your roots grow deep. — Jonathan Berry, Berea, KY
- When someone is interpreting your behavior or actions without a spirit of openness, de-escalate the conflict by saying, “I would appreciate it if you could be more generous with me.” It really works and leads to conversation, not argument. — Kate Fessler, St. Paul
- Use up everything in your freezer. — Tess Hartman, Kennett Square, PA
- The world is run by those who show up. — April Conway, Reno, NV
- Retire as soon as you can. Time will always be your most valuable asset. — Julie Drew, Akron, Ohio
- Get off Tinder. — Will Boone, New York City
- If you’re unhappy, do something about it. If you are happy, do something about it. — Kelly King, Pittsburgh
- There’s a connection between novelty and joy. — Jacqueline Lovell-Lantz, Sandy, Utah
- Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me, now? — Astrid Moresco, Fort Collins, Colo.
- Don’t look at your medical test reports before the doctor has a chance to explain them to you. — Melanie Mullins, Walden, N.Y.
- Nothing is ever as good as you think it will be or as bad as you fear. — Gail Baron, Charlotte, N.C.
- Does your houseplant make you feel happy? If you’re just keeping it alive out of a sense of obligation, let it go! — Mary Ann Carter, Kensington, MD
- Don’t be the one to tell yourself no. — Skye Verhofste, Des Moines
- Sometimes the greatest act of kindness is to pretend you haven’t already heard that story before. — Sarah Schroeder, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich
