Words of ADVICE
Reader's Digest US|July - August 2023
My grandmother told me to "clear a path to the door every night before bed." It makes for a smooth escape if there's ever a fire in the night.
Words of ADVICE

Clear a Path to the Door

But "clearing a path to the door" came, in time, to mean so much more. I learned I'll be much happier tomorrow if I tidy all the clutter tonight.

And it's a good habit when getting involved with new people or activities. Trying mountain climbing or whitewater rafting becomes possible when I know I have a safe exit plan if it becomes too risky. That "clear path" is always a wise plan.

-GLYNDA HAMILTON Vancouver, WA

Bring the Ball

My family moved to a small Virginia football town when I was in fourth grade. I loved football, but I had three strikes against me. I was the "new kid," from "up north" and-gasp-"a girl." When I came home from school dejected that nobody would let me play, my mother said, "If you want to play football, you bring the ball." By next season, if you wanted me on your team, you had to take my little brothers too. I never forgot the lesson. I've been "bringing the ball" ever since.

-JACQUELINE TRAVERS Woodbine, MD

Know When to Go

I was on a four-day float trip down the Colorado River with a large, fun group. At the end, when I said I didn't want to get off the river, another woman said to me, "It's always best to leave while you're still having fun." It changed my outlook that day, and I've applied it to many other circumstances since.

-MAREN HIRSCHI Cedar City, UT

Silence Your Inner Critic

While learning to paint landscapes with my boyfriend, I complained that I couldn't turn off the critic in my head. He told me, "When that happens to me, I say 'Be quiet, I'm painting here. I'll talk to you later." It worked for me that day, and later in graduate school while I was writing papers. His advice made me a more confident person.

-KATE JOHNSON Conway, SC

Esta historia es de la edición July - August 2023 de Reader's Digest US.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July - August 2023 de Reader's Digest US.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE READER'S DIGEST USVer todo
Cookies for Forgiveness
Reader's Digest US

Cookies for Forgiveness

My blowup was half-baked. The apology wasn't

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
Puff the Magic Pastry
Reader's Digest US

Puff the Magic Pastry

It always rises to the occasion

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
New Year's Traditions Around the World
Reader's Digest US

New Year's Traditions Around the World

1 MOST OF US spend the final seconds of each calendar year watching a nearly 12,000-pound geodesic sphere descend over Times Square in New York City.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
Mom's Wall-Sign Wisdom
Reader's Digest US

Mom's Wall-Sign Wisdom

She never met a plaque or bumper sticker she didn't quote

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
Protect Your 'Holiday Heart'
Reader's Digest US

Protect Your 'Holiday Heart'

This joyful time of year can also be dangerously stressful

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
Heroes of the Holidays
Reader's Digest US

Heroes of the Holidays

It's not just Santa Claus bringing the holiday magic this season. As you'll see, he's got elves all over.

time-read
10+ minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
The Man Who Looks After His Wife's Ex
Reader's Digest US

The Man Who Looks After His Wife's Ex

For him and his bride, \"in sickness and in health\" meant something really special

time-read
8 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
How Risky Are Those Holiday Cocktails, Really?
Reader's Digest US

How Risky Are Those Holiday Cocktails, Really?

The latest recommendations about drinking and your health

time-read
7 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
HOW ONE KENTUCKY TOWN SAVED ITSELF
Reader's Digest US

HOW ONE KENTUCKY TOWN SAVED ITSELF

Downtown Hazard had lost its small-town mojo to drugs. Former addicts are helping to bring it back.

time-read
8 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025
Dream It, Do It, Done!
Reader's Digest US

Dream It, Do It, Done!

Your bucket-list goals, accomplished

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2024/January 2025