"Chocolate makes you lovely": Readers offer up their Pearls of Wisdom

In June I held a "Pearls of Wisdom" contest in honor of both the June birthstone—pearls, naturally—and in an attempt to replenish my own store of wisdom, temporarily entirely spent on finishing THE SECRET TO SEDUCTION, the third book of my trilogy about the Holt sisters (it'll be out in February of '07, kids!)  Many, many of you rose admirably to the occasion, as I'd suspected you might—judging from my letters and all the comments I receive in my contest form, you're a generous, sage, witty and frequently eloquent bunch, and clearly you all listened to your mothers and grandmothers when you were growing up as well as accumulated your own unique wisdom. And I'm guessing you did much of that the hard way, which is pretty much the best way to get wise. :). Below I'm sharing with you some of the wisdom pearls you shared with me, sorted into categories just for fun: We've got Practical Everyday Advice; Relationships, Kids and Families; Advice Featuring Food; Witty Ones; Perennial Favorites; and Inspirational. ("I'll take "Witty Ones" for 400, Alex!") Obviously, some Pearls belong in several categories (e.g., the one about cooking bacon naked). But in general, I think you'll find a little something for every occasion down below. :) Thanks so much for sharing, and have fun reading!


PRACTICAL EVERYDAY ADVICE:

Perfume attracts mosquitos.—Betty Breithaupt

Putting a smoke alarm too near the stove will give you lots of exercise — and give  your family lots of giggles!—Lynn Bushey

Keep cool—lower the window shades.—Raymond Isadore

My bit of advice to everyone is never cook bacon naked.—Amy Linsley

Don''t gossip!—Joanne Quarz

Reading calms the soul.—Joanne Willey

My advice? Get a mammogram every year!— Melissa Lawson

Always say "Thank you!" Thank you!—Sheryl SoRelle

Do it Now. This bit of wisdom saves me so much time and energy. Rather than procrastinating, I do it now!—Allison Stefanov

Life is too important to worry about housework!—Cherie Michale

Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.—Hannah Beck

Never trust someone who doesn't like your dog.—Joan Novak

When dancing: The sillier you feel, the more fun you will have and the better you look. And never forget to smile.—Lauren Cherry

Personal experience is worth far more than any knowledge we may gain from a book.—Karen Lewis
(Note from Julie: but have you read pps. 224-228 of BATS, Karen? LOL. I think a few men can learn a thing or two from those pages).

Enjoy your week!—Marilyn Wons

(Note from Julie: I wasn't sure whether this was a wisdon pearl or a comment, Marilyn, but I think I will enjoy my week, thank you very much!)

ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, KIDS AND FAMILIES:

You know it's time to get married when you can't think of any way to complicate your own life.—Julie Cuniglio

I have no wisdom as I currently live with two teenagers. I am lucky to remember my name.—Maureen Emmons

Advice from a teenager's Mom...When your teenager talks...you better listen...I mean really listen!!! There's no telling what you might find out!—Margaret Murray—Evans

I've told my children that any relationship is not 50—50. Its 100—100. You give everything you can offer on the table. Anything extra you may get is icing on the cake. People seem to think that life is a score board, especially when it comes to relationships. I asked them if I needed their dad, their answer was "no". They know I want to be with him. But when asked if their dad needs me? A resounding "yes!". My husband said, "I thought you guys were on my side". Just be yourself and be happy! —Arlene Kauffman

Kids grow up way to fast. Make sure you take time with them now, you can't go back and give them that time later.—Mark Kraus

Laughter will keep a relationship healthy!—Mical Holcomb

In love, be happy with what you had, not what you lost.—Joanne Sandes

ADVICE FEATURING FOOD:

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.—Amy Downs

Chocolate makes you lovely.—Juna Homrighausen
(Note from Julie: God, I sure hope you're right, Juna. If so, I should be exquisite any minute now.)

A Little Sauce now and than is Relished by the Wisest of Men.—Larry Wedick

Life is short, eat dessert first! —Mary Mccoy

WITTY ONES:

The world is full of willing people: some willing to work and some willing to let them.—Marcia Hodge

Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.—Karen Haas

Here is a funny pearl of wisdom that I read in a book(a romance of course :): "Ladies, when climbing the ladder of success make sure no one is looking up your skirt!"—Patricia Evans

Remember, amateurs built the Ark—professionals the Titanic.—Gail Leinweber

PERENNIAL FAVORITES:

Good things come to all who wait.—Kathy Boudoin

For every door that may close, may another one open.—Kathleen Evans

My favourite bit of wisdom? "What goes around, comes around." I truly believe it.—Barbara Liptak

Here is my pearl of wisdom even though it is not an original I try to live by it — "Learn something from everyone you meet."—Laura McLendon

My favorite bit of wisdom is "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive."—Monica Stokes

Treat others like you would want to be treated—to me if everone lived there life with this in mind the world would be a lot better place to live in —I always try to keep this in mind when i get upset at someone.—Carolyn Todd

"Patience is a virtue, apply it if you can, is seldom found in women, and never found in man."—Christine Womack

Never let them get your goat, that's what my grandmother always said when somebody was trying to make her mad.—Vicky Boackle

My little bit of wisdom: Lead each day as if it's your last!—Audrey Burke

Live before it's too late.—Katharine Davis

Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing! My mom's advice to me!—Michele Guinsburg

Always remember, tomorrow is a brand new day, live it that way.—Brenda Howard

No honey for me if it comes with a bee!—Selina Williams

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.—Teresa Sheaffer

Don't sweat the small stuff!—Margery Yeager

Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without. God Bless—Melissa Goodman

Keep your eye on the prize.—Julianna Lowchy

Never Assume.—Tamra Acheson

Never judge a book by its cover. LOL—Ayreann S.

THE INSPIRATIONAL:

My favorite advice is from the Dalai Lama..."It's always a good idea to know the rules. That way, you know how to break them properly." —Sandy Yashnyk

Life is a risk. all you can do is live it the best way you know how and be happy doing it.—Cassie Hodgin

Life is a journey, not a destination.—Barbra Schaener

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary.—Christy Hawkes

Always reach for the moon; the worst that can happen is you'll fall among the stars.—Donna Hunt

Believe that you can do anything because you can.—Beverly Brown

"Laugh and the world laughs with you, Cry and you cry alone." (Laughter is actually physically and mentally better for you.) —Patricia Cochran

Don't dwell on the past or obsess about the future. Both of those are surefire ways to ruin today.—Kathy Hafeez

Life is one big circle — the more adventures, the bigger the circle.—Pam Sixkiller

Remember to laugh every day——especially if it is at yourself. Life is too short and precious to take yourself too seriously.—Michelle St. James

Sometimes the truth hurts. If you don't like what the truth is, take steps to change it.—Jeanne Stonge

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."—Laura Watt

My pearl of wisdom is actually a Dr. Seuss quote: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." It is important to remember this!—Jennifer Yates

When seeking an answer to a question always remember you might not get the answer you want and you might not like the answer you get but above all strive for truth and all will be good in the end.—Shirley Hodge

Each day is a new beginning.—Belinda Moore

Know you're always going to be challenged with something new that isn't easy to accomplish.—Nancy Kashdin

Make a concerted effort to learn something new every day and to find one positive quality in everyone around you.—William Denney

Take a giant step outside your mind!—Patti Bartosch

Being is possibility!—Jean Frink

My own life wisdom "Laugh when you can, Cry when you must & Live life to the fullest!"—Mina Gerhart

Life's like a roller coaster — enjoy all the twists and turns that come your way, because that's what makes it fun and interesting.—Kristy White

Well, I'm in short supply of wisdom, but I'll share what I have: If you want to be heard ... listen. If you want kindness ... be kind. If you want love ... be loving. If you want trust ... be trustworthy. If you want to make a difference ... do not be afraid to do things differently—Zara Heflin

And on that lovely note from Zara, I just wanted to thank you all again! These pearls will find a permanent home on my website, soon. And if you have any more wisdom to impart, or if you'd like to expound on the wisdom above, by all means use the comments form below. :)

Comments

[Haven Rich]

My favorite is: Never trust a witch who can't spell.

Have I mentioned that I love it when authors put up blogs?? Anyhow, Julie your blog has been added on the RI site

Have a wonderful 4th.

[Julie Anne Long]

Hey Haven! Your PoW (my pearl of wisdom acronym, you see) made me laugh. Thanks for adding me to RI!! Your blog is great. Wish me luck on consistent blogging here at TJC. LOL. We'll see how it goes!! I've got revisions for THE SECRET TO SEDUCTION on my plate at the moment, but they're lite 'n lovely (the revisions are), and I'm going to have fun doing them. (Honest. I *swear.*)

[Ranurgis]

Okay, let's see if this will be "third time lucky". The posting on this seems to work differently from any other blog I've used so far. I think I've finally figured out what happened and will attempt to avert another "disappearance".

In the meantime, I've found this quote by Grace Kelly which sums up part of what I was trying to say: "The freedom of the press works in such a way that there is not much freedom from it."

My original quote was by the Danish philospher Soren Kierkegaard (1813=1855): "How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech." and "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

In his day there was no freedom of speech. People have always had freedom of thought. Nobody can take that away from them. However, the press has to be allowed to report all the vile things going on in the world: scandals, crimes in their minutest detail, the weirdest things people can make up, so that our minds will be filled with this detritus of the world instead of allowing us to think of things that are good, useful and helpful. I think that perhaps we are afraid to think because of how we might see the world then and change ourselves, help others to do their best.

I know, very esoteric and not in the spirit of the "pearls of wisdom". It's certainly something to think about if not actually a pearl of wisdom.

[Ranurgis]

Just went to my usual charity sites where I don't need to actually give money when I don't have any and came upon this which might interest you in view of another recent blog. They must have just changed it. http://www.therainforestsite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa/340/wa/gotoSite?destSite=RainforestSite&origin=arsTY&wosid=nC1000p0700sf300q&revisionCode=ARSthankyoupg_TRSlogo

[Ranurgis]

P.S. You might have to click a few times in order to get the pygmy marmoset.

[Julie Anne Long]

Ranurgis, feel free to share any kind of wisdom, whether everyday, wry, esoteric, sarcastic, classic, or what have you! You know that expression, "food for thought?" I'm all for laying out a Buffet for Thought. LOL.

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