Kathryn Petras - Dance First. Think Later: 618 Rules to Live By

The first and great commandment is: Dont let them scare you.

Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.

Never make a credit decision on a beach.

Believe in life!

Do not wait for the Last Judgment. It takes place every day.

Dont panic.

If youre alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Whos going to know?

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

Do stuff you will enjoy thinking about and telling stories about for many years to come. Do stuff you will want to brag about.

The only dream worth having... is to live while youre alive and die only when youre dead.

It depends is almost always the right answer in any big question.

Spend the afternoon. You cant take it with you.

Remember, you dont owe anybody any explanations, you dont owe your parents any explanations, you dont owe your professors any explanations.

Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.

If you cant get what you wish for, forget about it.

Dont forget that some things count more than other things.

Create a posse of dead people. Create an entourage of heroes. Put their pictures on your wall, and keep them in your mind.

A little money helps, but what really gets it right is never I repeat never under any condition face the facts.

Never refuse a chance to sit down. And never refuse an opportunity to relieve yourself.

Nothing important was ever accomplished without chutzpah. Columbus had chutzpah. The signers of the Declaration of Independence had chutzpah. Dont ever aim your doubt at yourself. Laugh at yourself, but dont doubt yourself.

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.

Never trust someone who cant eat a meal alone at their own kitchen table.

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.

Just because you like Jimi Hendrix doesnt mean you can play like Jimi Hendrix.

Never spend money before you have it.

No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is, you still have to get out of it.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.

If you dont get what you want, its a sign either that you did not seriously want it, or that you tried to bargain over the price.

Work hard each day.

Never practice two vices at once.

When you see a good move, look for a better one.

Live your life the way you want. Youll figure it out.

Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.

Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?

Better to do a little well than a great deal badly.

Question everything! You never know where a silly question may lead you.