With time on my hands, some words of wisdom...

For a man who works at 8am, it is better to wake up at 7.55am than 7.45am. With the former, he knows that he is late and there is a sense of certainty and acceptance. With the latter, he will always have the nagging doubt that he will make it on time, and thus he finds himself in a hinterland of frustrating uncertainty.

It is best to know something about everything, a little about most things, a lot about some things, and everything about one thing.

Before entertaining guests at your home, or before going to meet someone at their home, have a shower, a shave and clean your teeth.

If someone is speaking to you, really listen to what they are saying. Too often we spend this time planning what we will say next. Making someone feel that they are the only person in the room that matters is a worthy quality to have.

For a few minutes each day, look around you at the things you normally take for granted - books on shelves, the rain on the window pane, how your partner walks. Apply this when you find yourself needing to kill time, or when waiting in a queue, and you will never succumb to boredom.

When looking after a loved one during illness, remember that anyone can opt for the easy option of a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates, a bought card. Making sure that they have fresh, ironed clothes at the hospital, and that the house is being well looked after will show that you really care.

Always carry mints in your pocket.

When a man falls in love with a woman, he should make every effort to look after her, listen to her, and make her feel like she is the centre of his universe.

When a woman is telling you about the terrible day she has had, or that she has a thousand things on her mind, never offer solutions, only listen attentively, and make her feel good about herself.

When in a bathroom, for whatever reason, wash your hands. It is a good habit to get into.

Do not be tempted to fill silence with idle talk. If you have something to say, say it, but if not, bask in the tranquillity of quietness.

Upon waking, stretch luxuriously, yawn luxuriously, and think of nothing else for a full minute.

When parking the car, pull into the space front ways, and leave the steering wheel as it is. Then, when you come to leave, you can simply reverse, and the steering wheel’s position will guide you out perfectly.

Always have two or three ready excuses to hand, just in case you are stuck at a boring party, or receive an unexpected phone call from someone wanting something.

When watering a garden in the summer, it is best to do so at dusk. Not only is it more tranquil, watering plants in the heat of the sun can be fatal for them, as the sun’s rays are magnified through the water droplets.

The kind of coffee you receive in city coffee houses is easily reproduced. Simply put milk, sugar and a spoon of instant coffee into your cup, then whisk vigorously until frothy, adding hot water immediately.

A knowledgeable man has knowledge. An intelligent man uses that knowledge.

Other people’s sandwiches always taste nicer than your own. Do not despair, for yours will have the same effect on them.

If learning how to use chopsticks, use them for every meal, oriental food or not.

Chess is a game to be savoured. Play with intelligence and thought, but never at the cost of enjoyment. After a game, much gratification can be had in discussing strategy.

First thing in the morning and last thing at night are often the times that we are at our most creative.

It is an advantage in life to have some knowledge of body language.

As a general rule, sandals are almost never to be worn, except in certain casual situations, or when at the beach. It goes without saying that socks should never be seen anywhere near sandals.

Driving at 5am is one of life’s true pleasures. So to is walking familiar streets at the dead of night.

It is worth noting that when we look upon a coal fire, we are actually witnessing the lost rays of trapped prehistoric sunlight.

Preparation is the key to success in life.

Honesty and tact are forever intertwined, yet seldom balanced.

The Japanese adage that there is sadness in all things is very true. A yellow flower is yellow, only because it absorbs every ray of the colour spectrum except yellow, which it reflects. Thus, it is what it isn’t, and that is fundamentally sad…

Often, our only way of seeing ourselves is in the mirror. However, this is not truly us, as it is an opposite reflection. Thus, someone who looks great in the mirror might be less so in reality, and vice versa.

Unless the service is terrible, treat all those in customer service impeccably, and always with fairness.

When faced with an embarrassing or frustrating situation, remember that it is probably trivial in the context of your life as a whole.

The most attractive people in life are those who have minor cosmetic flaws. These are what make them truly beautiful.

The fact that we humans are top of the earth’s food chain is often dismissed as a given thing. Were we to be superseded by another species, we would soon succumb, due to our reliance on technology.

Do something selfless everyday, big or small.

To be respected by those around you, simply be moral, mannered and honest, especially to yourself. Respect is only given when it is earned.

We will probably never know the depth and extent of our dreams, as the very process of waking and trying to remember a dream clouds its clarity and infects its purity.

If you do not feel comfortable in the presence of certain friends, perhaps your friendship is more tenuous than you realise. Surround yourself with those you feel akin to.

Everything that you do has a consequence, every action a reaction.