What I hope I have told you

Recently an old English actor passed away. I would imagine you have not seen any of his films. Let's see if we can find a copy of Who Framed Roger Rabbit an watch it together, see if you like it.

I was reading something his daughter wrote about what he had taught her over the years. It inspired me to put here some of the things I would like to teach you. I though it might be a good reminder for me, we can check if I still think the same, if I remember to tell you the things I wanted to tell you.

1. Don't take yourself, or life, too seriously. There is a time and place to be serious. People will want you to be serious most of the day. Ok, fine, but whenever possible, make sure you remember how ridiculous this big strange world of ours really is. With its paperwork, hair styles, latest technologies, tattoos, kings and queens and religions. Just look at the movie we are going to watch! What a way to make a living, pretending to talk to cartoon rabbits! The world is wonderful. Wonderfully ridiculous. Don't take it seriously.
2. Forgive yourself. You will make mistakes (I hope). If you don't make any mistakes, your not doing anything interesting in your life. So make a mistake, fix it, forgive yourself and move on. I still love you. 
3. Don't change for anybody. If other people in your life are telling you not to be who you are, they are probably not the right people to have in your life. The person that you have to be sure that likes you is you. If you really think you are doing something bad, stop it. If not, don't worry what others say, unless it is me or your mother. We made you and we can unmake you just as easily! :P 
4. Make peace with the things you cannot change. If you are not happy with something and you can do something about it, put effort into making the change. If it is not within you control, find a way to accept it, or make it less important for your happiness. 
5. Learn to love someone beyond yourself. It will guide you and make you feel important. Do not base your happiness on the love of someone else, but share you happiness with those you love. Doing things for you and mother brings me a sense of joy I never got when doing things for myself. 
6. Be kind. Always. 

Lets take a moment to see how we are getting on with this list, or if we should adapt it a little for the people we are now.