18 Comments
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Jules's avatar

Absolutely brilliant. I just don't know where to start. Great advice in here, and just to pick out one piece, the cautionary advice about the Be Kind philosophy is really important. An authoritarian commandment to be kind is worth very little. Genuine kindness is a blessing, and the responsibility of everyone in society, not just certain groups.

Brilliant as usual. Thanks for a great start to the day, Sharon x

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

Ahhh that’s so lovely of you to say Jules. We are aligned on many points - the dangers of glibly instructing people to ‘be kind’ included. As you say, the responsibility of everyone in society.

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Keith Bumgarner's avatar

Wonderfully funny and insightful. Nice commentary on elements of our culture. Oh, and you write brilliantly.

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

Keith, lovely to meet you, and thank-you so much for the compliment. I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece!

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Keith Bumgarner's avatar

Likewise, Sharon. I have a great respect and love for quality writing like yours. Sadly, I recognize it better than I can do it myself. Love your voice and style, looking forward to reading your other posts. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

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COLIN JONES's avatar

How did I miss this? I think I'm your most loyal fan but this gem somehow escaped me. Real Life intruding on fun time which is completely unacceptable. Even more curious is that someone actually said “Don’t come with your arms hanging,” last week (you know who you are) and I lost the opportunity for a wry smile. Anyway, I laughed out loud at every sage life pointer in your piece, beautifully written as usual. I love avocado, I think I've cracked that problem by buying little and often which is the same strategy I use for the "be useful" advice. Thanks for a joyful start to my day, Sharon.

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

Thanks so much Colin. How lovely to hear. Glad you enjoyed!

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Tracy Haynes's avatar

Two things: I have never won the fight with the avocado. I still have the plaque you gave me: "I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong."

Love the piece doll xx

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Daisy's avatar

Very accurate shaz!!

I wonder if johnny ever looked at my tips… wishful thinking

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

He claims he has! 🙄

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Prajna O'Hara's avatar

The important stuff we learned by taking the wrong turns and then figuring it out.

Another great post, thank you.

I’ve written many of those manuals only to get used as doorstops.

Own your choices. Boom!

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

Thanks so much Prajna.

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Petra Khashoggi's avatar

Loved this! Great advice. The avocado game - hilarious.

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Maria McCarthy's avatar

Your advice re the household reminded me of when I left my teenage girls for a few days, with instructions. One of them was "remember to put the bin bags out on Tuesday". I called them on Monday, and got the accusation, 'You're just phoning to check we put the rubbish out." Still they forgot. When I got home, the eldest and I looked at the black sacks in the yard, which were crawling with maggots. "I'll never forget to put out the rubbish again," my eldest said.

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Wise, wise words. Love it!

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Francis F's avatar

Love this , can imagine what the teenager thought when he saw the manual 😆😆 I would have done the same 🤣

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Jason Hayes's avatar

Just saw the Jimmney being taken out on a drive and wondered if that was “in the manual”. Well written.

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Sharon Joslyn's avatar

Good to hear! I’ve requested they keep the engine running over - just on the mountain mind!

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