"Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as a hard duty."
        -Albert Einstein

I will try to locate my teachers, whose valuable gifts I have been thankful for my entire life, and tell them how grateful I am for the positive effect they had on my life. Miss Reed, Mrs. Pinkerton, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Cates, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Dickenson, Mr. Hurley, Mr. Hoag, Mrs. Gray...to name a few.

"So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me."
       -Albert Einstein

As my friends can attest, I lack the filter that most people have between their brain and their mouth. I don't intend to hurt anyone, but I realize I do at times, especially those who do not know me well; as a result I am sure I have lost the opportunity of wonderful friendships over the years because I didn't choose my words wisely.

...I will ponder the words I use and how I delivery them before I spit them out. Words have power, good and bad, so I will concentrate on the good. We can't have too many friends, can we?

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

I will not 'sit on my hands' and wait for 'someone' to do something. I AM 'SOMEONE' and I will act, rather than react. 

I will learn to play an instrument...maybe a harmonica...and, even though I am tone deaf and no one will ever guess what song I am playing, I will play with all the joy of a young child discovering a new toy.

I will not sit by the window on a rainy summer afternoon watching the children perform the sweet rain dance of innocence, as generations have done before them and generations will do after. I will join them in that ancient dance, with all the joy of the moment, remembering the days of my youth when, not only was it was acceptable to get drenched to the skin, it was expected. A time when we ran with glee from puddle to puddle to see who could make the biggest splash. A time before the inhibitions of our adulthood diminished the exuberance of our youth.

Italian, French, Spanish...I will learn a new language; at least enough of a new language to understand (a basic conversation) and communicate my needs.

"Life offers you a thousand chances...all you have to do is take one."
   --Frances Mayes (Author of Under the Tuscan Sun)

I will go to Tuscany (Cortona, Italy) and rent a small farmhouse on the outskirts of town, or perhaps an apartment in town just off the piazza. I will take Tuscan cooking and wine appreciation classes. I will wander through the streets and churches to admire the medieval and Renaissance architecture. I will stroll through the vineyards drinking in the sweet smell of the grapes.

I will not save that expensive bottle of wine for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion!

I will blow the paper off my straw just to see how far it will float on the air, then delight in the expression on the face of others.

I will fill my home with beautiful flowers just because I enjoy them. The scent of a Rose or Carnation; the smile of a Sunflower, Daisy or Snapdragon; the elegance of an Iris or Gladiola; or the simplicity of a Calla Lily--are worth the expense if they make me happy.