My February 12, 2002 Rootin' Tootin' Headlines

Dot Your I’s by Steve Brawley

May he find his way

All the clichés are true: In a New York minute. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Stop and smell the roses. Lying in my own blood on the floor of Arby’s – on that cold February night, my life did not pass before my eyes - but these sayings came to mind.  I pray I can muster the strength to once again trust my fellow man. It won’t be easy, but with the support and friendship of those who have reached out to me over the past two years, I’m sure I’ll continue to muddle along.

If I’ve gained anything (besides a permanent bullet in my shoulder), it’s

perspective. The perspective that everyday you should carefully - dot your I’s.

First, everyday remember to dot the I on Ideals:

Ideals. Have them. Be true to them.

Next, dot the I on Integrity.

It will define you. It will sustain you. Others will measure you by it.

Identify:

Put yourself in others shoes every day. It keeps us humble and grounded.

Inhale:

The smell of freshly cut grass, an oncoming rainstorm, mom’s cooking.

Be Innovative:

Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

Illuminate:

Make the world brighter everyday by being a great human being.

Dot the I on Inclusion:

There’s increased strength (and knowledge) in numbers. The more the merrier.

Accept Incremental change:

Patience is indeed a virtue we must nurture

Be Impeccable:

In your dress and your manners. Grace and style are never out of fashion.

Eat Italian food:

Put a big dot here. My St. Louis has some of the very best.

Try to be Impartial:

Never be judge and jury. Always hear both sides.

Become Impassionate:

Find a cause. Make it your own. Go the distance to support it.

Trust your Instincts and Intuitions:

Any woman will tell you it’s the way to go.

To be Inconsiderate:

Of others feelings, beliefs or opinions. Not acceptable.

Be Introspective:

It will allow you to see both who you are and who you want to become.

Initiate:

The early bird gets the worm. Make things happen.

Embrace your Insecurities:

They help keep us in our place.

Become Indebted to someone:

Not financially - spiritually. Have a mentor.

Be a mentor. You’ll never regret it.

Take Inventory:

How much “stuff” do we really need?

Watch I Love Lucy Reruns:

Indeed, laughter is the best medicine.

Fight Injustice:

Fight against it in whatever shape or form you see it.

Input:

Seek it. Take others opinions into account. You’ll be glad you did.

Inspire:

It’s the most important thing I believe a leader can do.

Be an Instrument:

Let your higher power use you to make a difference.

As well, be Instrumental:

Put your talent to use for a greater cause, not just to make a living. 

Remember life changes in an Instant:

Say I love you to your family and friends. And say it a lot.     

Intelligence:

We’re all students and teachers.

Be Intentional:

Don’t let there be any mistake about where you stand on an issue. Be clear, consistent and concise.

Be Intolerant:

Of hatred. The golden rule survives.

Image:

Remember a pig in a dress is still a pig, albeit a fashionable. Set your own style.

Be Invisible:

Sneak away once in a while. Spend a day with your best friend - yourself.

Get Involved:

You name the cause or the charity. They need you.

Impossible:

Eliminate this word from your vocabulary. There’s no such thing.

Idolize someone:

Be it friend, family or even foe. Make someone your hero. In return become a hero to some else.

Self-Involvement:

It voids you of life.

Ignorance and arrogance:

Who do we think we are anyway? Wine snobs and bad tippers need not apply.

Dot the I on the Itty bitty things:

Yes, little things mean a lot – and can make a big difference.

Be a little Insane:

Life is so complicated; a few crazy moments can’t possibly hurt.

Yet, stop the Insanity:

People say guns don’t hurt people. People do. That’s crap. They both do.

I: Thank you.

Copyright 2004, Steve Brawley

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Crime Victim Advocacy Center of St. Louis.