Instructions for life
Aka a Tentra Nepalese Totem for good luck
Versions of a Tentra Nepalese Totem have been in circulation for years. I first came across it in 2002, and such is the joy of my ‘albums’ (a series of A3 books into which I have chronicled my entire life through collected memorabilia, tear sheets, diary pages and more), I re-discovered it and felt it was timely to share it once more.
The idea is that it spreads good luck to anyone who receives it.
It was said to have been written originally by his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. I rather like this idea, but it cannot be proven. I think it’s more likely that it was extracted from a book called Life’s Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations and Reminders on How to Live. Happy and Rewarding Life, originally published in 1992 by H Jackson Brown as a going-away-to-college gift for his son. Updated versions of this now exist too.
It did the rounds as a sort of chain email, that you were supposed to pass on, with the intention to spread the love of its message as far and wide as possible. No doubt this is how it turned up in my in-box. And while I can’t quite get my head around the fact that this was over twenty years ago, the ideas contained within it still resonate… so perhaps you’d like to share it too!
Eat plenty of whole rice.
Give people more than they expect and do this wilfully.
Learn by heart your favourite song.
Don’t believe everything you hear and do not sleep as much as you’d like to.
When you say ‘I love you’ say it truthfully.
When you say I’m sorry, say it with eye contact.
An engagement period of at least six months is crucial before marriage.
Believe in love at first sight.
Marry (or be with) the person you love talking to the most.
When you get old, conversation will be more important than anything else.
Never mock others dreams.
Love deeply and passionately.
You may get hurt, but this is the only way to live life to the fullest.
Deal with discontentment, fight fairly, but do not offend.
Do not judge others because of their relatives.
Talk slow, think fast.
Remember that the greatest love and the greatest successes also hold many risks.
Bless a person who has just sneezed.
Respect yourself, respect others, and take responsibility for your actions.
Don’t allow a small disagreement to hurt a great friendship.
When you notice you have made a mistake, take the appropriate steps to correct it.
Accept change with open arms, yet do not give up your values.
Remember that sometimes, silence is the best answer.
Read more books and watch television less.
Live a good, honourable life.
Later when you grow old and remember the past, you will enjoy it once more.
Believe and trust God, whomever/whatever you conceive God to be, but securely lock your car.
Do not bring back the past.
Read in between the lines.
Share your knowledge. It is the way to live forever.
Pray. Prayer has incredible power.
Never interrupt someone who flatters you.
Do not trust a man or woman who does not close their eyes when you kiss them.
If you make a lot of money, channel it so as to help others while you are alive.
This is the greatest satisfaction a treasure can reward you.
Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is very lucky.
Learn all the rules, and then break some.
Remember that the greatest relationships are the ones in which the love between two people
is greater than the need one has of the other.
Judge your success in light of what you had to give up in order to obtain it.
Relate to love, and to the kitchen, completely.
And if you liked that, below is the commencement address I gave to the Brighton University graduating class of 2024, which I recognise now, builds upon this piece…
I love little lines of wisdom like this. I have three:
Never cry at work
Always carry a tissue
Leave as you find
Not the greatest but they've done me well so far!