How does one make for oneself a satisfying and successful life? Do we not all strive for just that? I've listed here fifty things (in no particular order) I think can help in this quest. You might quarrel with some of them. You might also wish to add to the list. Surely, the list is incomplete.

Keep uppermost in mind that family is the foundation of society, and it must be held forever sacred.

Honor and hold proper respect for your mother and father.

Honor and hold proper respect for each of your offspring.

Assure that you act to honor and dignify your family name.

Strive for the truth and adhere to the truth, even if doing so is disappointing, embarrassing, or inconvenient.

Adopt a strict moral code and be faithful to it.

Refuse to take that which is not rightfully yours.

Pursue creative endeavors, as they yield great gratification.

Share a portion of your wealth and time with others who are in need.

Try not to be envious or selfish or stingy or greedy or impatient or timid.

Choose your friends wisely and cherish with passion their friendship.

Be faithful and true to your spouse. Treasure the love you share.

Understand that from the very beginning, life is not fair and you will often encounter unfair treatment.

Embrace humor and rely on it frequently. It will serve you well.

Choose to excel at all that you do.

Remind yourself occasionally that you are not infallible. Sometimes you are wrong, and sometimes very wrong.

Relish fully the truly happy times, for they are all too often fleeting.

Take time to seek out and marvel at that which is beautiful.

Try to be energetic, sincere, kind, and compassionate.

Listen to the wisdom of those you respect and trust, and take that wisdom to heart.

Treat others not as you wish to be treated, but as they wish to be treated. Accept that all men are created equal and should be treated equally.

Practice modesty and humility, as they are sometimes difficult behaviors to master.

Resist the temptation to play the role of victim. It is a weakness too many succumb to.

Give others the benefit of the doubt, until there's clear evidence it's unwarranted.

Take responsibility for your life. Make your own decisions and don't blame others when you take their poor advice. And take responsibility for those inappropriate actions you are responsibility for.

Apologize, though it is so often hard to do, when you have wronged someone, and make the apology sincere and meaningful. When appropriate, make an effort to forgive others who have wronged you, and tell them you forgive them.

Develop an attitude of thankfulness, of gratitude, and take time daily to acknowledge how thankful you are for the many blessings you receive. (I've found it useful to keep a list of things I'm thankful for, and I try to add to the list every day.)

Understand the impact social pressure has on your behavior and on how you are viewed by others. Realize that if you stray from social "norms," there are consequences, and some are severe.

Seek out the strength and comfort that religion can afford. Religion can be a tremendously powerful and beneficial influence in your life.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Treat yourself with compassion. When appropriate, forgive yourself for your misdeeds.

Be reliable and true to your word.

Work at being a better person.

Understand that your good deeds and bad deeds cannot be erased, and they become part of the fabric that defines who you are. And how you are thought of. And how you'll be remembered.

Compliment those who deserve a compliment. It will brighten their day. And it may brighten your day as well.

Try to be optimistic.

Smile at others. It's a kind gift to them, and you might receive a similar gift in return.

Make plans for something pleasant in the future (an event, travel, a purchase, that sort of thing). It will give you something to look forward to.

Keep busy with meaningful activities. Achievements can bring great personal reward. But also, take some time for fun and relaxation.

Get enough sleep.

Do not offer criticism unless it is solicited, or unless it's part of your job (for example, being a parent). Ignore unsolicited criticism, which may, unfortunately, come your way on a frequent basis.

Understand that you have control of your attitude and you can decide how you wish to react to whatever life throws at you.

Do not physically harm others, unless there is valid, moral justification to do so (as in self defense).

Choose your words with care when you speak. Careless words can be exceedingly hurtful.

Be slow to be offended. But when offended, act thoughtfully, not emotionally.

Keep your temper in check. An unleashed temper can cause untold damage, with lasting negative effects.

Get a tight hold on hope. It is an essential element throughout life.

Let music enter your life, and enjoy the powerful spell it casts.

Don't believe everything you read, see, or hear. There are those who wish to deceive you. Sometimes discerning what's true is a formidable task.

Take good care of your mind and body. They are your most precious possessions. Do not take them for granted. Do not abuse them.

Realize there is much good in the world and celebrate that fact.

Just because I've compiled this list, please don't conclude I'm able to abide by the items listed. Far from it! But, I'm trying. I believe that following the actions listed can indeed lead to a satisfying and successful life.