Playground Lessons of Life

My Momma didn’t teach me much;
I learned everything on the playground.


1. The bigger kids run things;

2. You need to know the rules of any game to win; life is a game;

3. If you can help make the rules, you will be more successful;

4. You don’t always get picked to play; learn to entertain yourself;

5. Life’s a lot more fun if you have a buddy;

6. Girls aren’t as big or strong or as fast as boys; sometimes they’re smarter;

7. Avoid playing a position you play poorly; for that matter, avoid games you play poorly;

8. You learn better by doing something, not by watching someone else;

9. When you pick a team, your first choice makes a huge difference;

10. Some people aren’t as smart as you are, but some are a lot smarter; be their friend;

11. When you promise to do something, do it; you earn people’s trust by keeping your word; the only people to trust are the ones that keep theirs;

12. Only your mother likes to hear you cry; don’t waste your time on the playground;

13. Telling the truth is easier than lying; your memory isn’t good enough to lie well;

14. Always know the way to get home by yourself; you may have to, sometimes;

15. Your reputation is the only thing you carry from year to year; if it’s a good one, you have to live up to it. If it’s a bad one, you’ll have to overcome it.