Thirty-three things I want my daughter to know

1. Always be polite and use the words please, thank you and excuse me not only with your grandma but with everyone. Good manners never hurt anyone.


2. Don't be afraid to voice your opinions but do it tactfully. Don't show off and boast about your achievements. They will speak for themselves. 


3. Listen to what other people have to say even if you don't agree with them.  


4. There is never a need to raise your voice when talking to someone even if you are really upset with them. If you feel like yelling, go for a walk outside instead. 


5. Love is the greatest gift in the world. If you find it, hold on to it and don't be afraid of your feelings. True love will bring you great happiness. But don't rush it, it'll come to you when you least expect it. 


6. Always be true to yourself.


7. Never lie, not even those little white lies. Honesty is always the best policy, even if you don't think so at the time.


8. Never let someone talk down to you or treat you badly, always remember you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.


9. Always treat other people with respect regardless of their background, ethnicity, religion (or whether or not they're religious), beliefs and values. 


10. Forgive and forget. Don't hold grudges - it'll give you wrinkles before your time. 


11. Don't ever be too proud to tell someone you are sorry or that you were wrong.


12. Try really hard not to say things you don't mean. 


13. Travel and open your eyes to the world. Visit places that are different to home. Experience different cultures, customs and foods. Take the road less travelled. 


14. Follow your dreams. If you don't know what they are yet, follow your passions. Do things you like doing. Try new and different things. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.


15. Keep good friends around you. Make time to see them and be there for them if they need your support. 


16. Listen to your mother even when you think you know best. Believe me, she's been there before. Listen to your father, too. Remember, your mum and dad will love you unconditionally until the end of time and beyond. Never be afraid to come to them for help or if you think you've stuffed up somehow.


17. Believe in yourself. Every day. If you don't feel confident, fake it for a moment and it'll come to you.


18. Always be kind to others. If someone is upset, talk to them and show them you care. 


19. Laugh out loud as much as you can. Surround yourself with people who make you feel happy.


20. Life is too short to worry, particularly about things that haven't happened and perhaps they never will, so don't worry about it.


21. Always look on the bright side of life. Things will go wrong, you'll make mistakes, people will let you down, you won't always get what you want, but it's all okay and tomorrow everything will be better, I promise. 


22. Care about the environment. One day you will have children, too. Make the world beautiful for them.


23. Read. Read books from the classics to best-selling fiction. Read as much as you can. Magazines, too. Don't be a snob, ever.


24. Keep a journal or a blog and record the every day, the small things that you may think don't matter so much but its from these things a life is made, you'll appreciate looking back on it one day - something to share with your own children one day.


25. Don't follow the crowd. Don't be afraid to try something different. And don't judge other people. 


26. Learn another language. Swim in the ocean. Learn how to cook. Eat well and drink water every day.


27. Go to university to study. Not only because it will lead to having a better job but because it will steer your mind on the right path to learning. Never stop learning. Be curious and question things all the time.


28. Don't always know everything. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to say you don't understand something. How else will you learn?


29. Always give up your seat on public transport to pregnant women and the elderly or someone who looks like they need to sit down.


30. Listen to your mum and dad. They love you very much and want the best for you even if there may be times you feel they don't understand you. 


31. Don't worry so much about finding the perfect job and don't get stuck in a rut at work. Remember, a job shouldn't define you as a person. It's one part of your life. Family is always more important. Embrace change and change careers often even if it feels scary at the time.  


32. Give back to the community. Volunteer your time. Help those who are less fortunate than you. Never turn down someone who asks you for help.


33. Reflect on your values once in a while and work out what's important to you.