I don't know if this is the best advice I've ever received, but it's certainly the best I've received in my memory. I got it from a book. It was a story involving Professor Albert Einstein (perhaps you've heard of him) In the story, after he gave a talk he was approached by a journalist, and the journalist asked him to spell out the recipe for success. Einstein thought for a second and then said if success is equals A, then A= X + Y + Z. Einstein then elaborated. He said X is find something that you are good at and you enjoy doing. Y means work hard at it. Then, according to the story, Einstein went silent. So the journalist prompted him. 'What does Z stand for?' To which Einstein replied "Keep your mouth shut."
Apparently common sense is not so common. It takes a genius to figure it out. Since I read that, I've taken it to heart. And I gotta say it has improved my relationships. I get along better with my siblings, other relatives, my wife and kids. The only(?) time I open my mouth is when a decision is being made that impacts me. When my kids or my wife gives me grief about something I say to myself "I'm channeling Einstein" or "Serenity now (from Seinfeld)." I've discovered this keeps the little things little and more often than not they fizzle out.
How about the rest of you?
Apparently common sense is not so common. It takes a genius to figure it out. Since I read that, I've taken it to heart. And I gotta say it has improved my relationships. I get along better with my siblings, other relatives, my wife and kids. The only(?) time I open my mouth is when a decision is being made that impacts me. When my kids or my wife gives me grief about something I say to myself "I'm channeling Einstein" or "Serenity now (from Seinfeld)." I've discovered this keeps the little things little and more often than not they fizzle out.
How about the rest of you?