List the 10 precepts (or quotes) that you live by

Since Day 1, my mom has raised me on certain strict rules that become my own personal laws that I have memorized and wish to teach and pass onto my kids as well. Thanks to the strictest school on this island, CCA had taught me to memorize the Ten Commandments by heart (kind of) and have taught me certain things to do and not do “if you want to be a mature lady.” The list would be terribly long if I took the time to sit back and think about how many times I was scolded not to do this or how to do what. But I do have ten precepts or mini laws that I keep in my heart, in my journal, etc. and hopefully for the rest of my life.

1. Don’t raise your voice. Improve your argument.”

I have only raised my voice against my mom twice. The first time was in the car about something I do not remember, perhaps something about my father having left, but it made me feel superior over her for once that she had nothing to say in return. The second time was when I was in the kitchen I think getting ice for a drink, and my mother continued bantering in such an annoying way that I couldn’t stop the anger that was rising in my stomach that I yelled at her to shut up. My Ate (pronounced AH teh), my house keeper since I was months old, snapped at me to not yell at her, and after that my shame swallowed me whole. I have forced myself to never yell again at an adult. The only person I consider an exception is my father. I’d rather talk things out with a person and voice “my argument” rather than raise my voice against an adult or someone I love or know and embarrass myself in the process.

2. “If you pray hard enough for something you want, like money or a Mustang, your prayer will come true.” – my history teacher in MBA

I believe in praying. I believe in praying when you have nothing else you could possibly do but pray for the goodness of God (or the gods, whatever) to shine on your situation. I believe in praying before bed. I believe for praying for giving thanks for good weather or good health. And when my history teacher said that, I believed him.  There’s a verse about that in the Bible: “ask and it shall be given.” I believe that what you really want is what you really want, and you work really hard and pray every single morning and night and Sunday, God will grant you your prayer.

3.  Do not cuss.

This is one precept I try ever so hard not to break, but I’ve noticed that I’m breaking it too much as I am surrounded by people who cuss more than necessary. I just do not like cussing. I find it unattractive when I do it. I do not care when someone cusses; I just want to whip myself whenever I utter a four-letter word. What’s even worse is when I don’t feel guilty after saying it. I do not like cussing, and I wish to never cuss. There are better words in the English language than the ones I accidentally use. 

4.  Make new friends.

I always want to make new friends. I always want to meet new people and learn who they are and what they want to be and what they have to offer to the world. Everyone has something to say, and I’d want to be that friend that would hear the out any time of the day.

5. Don’t do stupid things I would regret.

As simple as that. I do not like making a fool out of myself when I make a mistake or over exaggerate a situation, so I try to be as low key as possible sometimes as well.

6. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31

My mom always paraphrased this verse when she lectured me about behaving around my fellow classmates. Or around people in general. It’s a verse that everyone knows really. It’s something an atheist would understand. So if my children become atheists, I’ll paraphrase this verse and their agnostic hearts won’t be offended.

7. "Words are used to express, not impress.” – my grandpa

The rhyme was what made it stick in my head the second I heard it from my grandpa when he told it to my cousin. My cousin was trying to impress Grandpa by using big words to describe his story. My grandpa simply stopped him and told him this quote and I silently agreed. I intend to not use words to impress people with my vocabulary, but to use my vocabulary to express my mind thoroughly. Also, my resolution is to improve my vocabulary, so I can have the knowledge and familiarity to use those impressive words.

8. Be friendly to other people. Regularly and spontaneously.

9. Read. 

I love reading. I want to read at least one book of each genre. I just love books

10. Keep God in my heart forever.

 I think I’ll be ridiculed for stating that, but one thing for sure is I don’t care one bit about being ridiculed. I’m proud for loving, worshipping, and praying to someone that no one can prove to exist. I was convinced by my elementary teachers and high school teachers that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are potentially real. It’s not like they forced me to believe in Him. It was my choice. I chose to believe in such a religion. I had classmates who didn’t believe in God. I do not know this religion so well, even after studying it for a majority of my precollege life, but I plan to surround myself with those of Christian influence. I’ll continue to pray. I’ll still ravel at the sight of nature and how He created everything I see, touch, hear, feel, and taste in utmost perfection. I do believe He lives. I do believe in a Holy Spirit dwelling in me. Although I do not go to church every Sunday or read His Word every morning and night, I honestly should. I’m definitely not the best Christian. I do hope I will become one soon.