Free How to Build a Fire: And Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew by Erin Bried Page A

fresh cocktail, then life is good. Just don’t overdo it with the martinis, or you’ll simply be trading one mind-numbing place (your office) for another (drunk town). You’ve got to be in the right head to enjoy the good stuff at home, too.
Remember that your life is not solely defined by your work. Sacrificing all your time and energy on work alone won’t make you successful; it’ll make you boring and unhappy. Strive to live a well-rounded life. Don’t work all your days away.

Dry Tears
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“Sometimes a hug means more than anything you can say.”
—A L S ULKA

    H OW TO C OMFORT A L OVED O NE
    Step 1: Be there. When you know your loved one is upset, don’t avoid or confront her. Just be available and ready to listen when she’s ready to talk.
    Step 2: Offer a shoulder. Even if you don’t think there’s anything you can do to make your loved one feel better, asking if you can help can make all the difference. Float the idea and see if she’ll accept. Then be prepared to hear what she has to say, and rather than immediately offering advice or trying to fix what ails her, validate her feelings and show her that you understand.
    Step 3: Be patient. Continuing to comfort your loved one beyond the time you think she should have bounced back can be a challenge. Just remember that everyone heals at their own pace, and ultimately you want your loved one to thoroughly work through her emotions so she can be happy.
    Step 4: Offer encouragement. Remind her of how much you love and appreciate her, and set a good example of looking on the bright side. Your joy and strength can elevate those around you.
    More Handy Tips
You don’t have to fully understand what your friend or family member is going through to be supportive. Just because you don’t feel her pain doesn’t mean she shouldn’t, either.
You’ve got to take care of yourself first in order to be able to take care of others. If you need support, too, reach out to your own friends, family members, or even a professional. You don’t have to go it alone.
If all else fails, try to make her laugh. Turn to this page to learn how to tell a clean joke.

Do the Right Thing
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“I still haven’t come to a conclusion as to what life is about other than this: Strive to do the right thing. Use the golden rule as your cornerstone. It’s most beneficial to humanity.”
—B UCK B UCHANAN
    H OW TO B E A R OLE M ODEL
    Step 1: Always be yourself. When you have confidence in the skills or qualities that make you an individual, you’ll earn respect and admiration from others. Authenticity, and having the integrity to be who you are, is something to be admired.
    Step 2: Find consistency. Those who look up to you will learn as much from you when you’re “teaching” them as when you aren’t. Be aware of yourself at all times, show off your strengths, and be mindful of your weaknesses.
    Step 3: Be generous. It’s not your success that determines what sort of leader you can be. It’s how you handle that success. Be humble in your achievements and quick to share credit where it is due.
    More Handy Tips
Never bully or look down on others who don’t enjoy your good fortune.
Imagine who you’d like your role model to be, or who you would’ve wanted as a child, and be that person. You can be your own role model.

Be Critical
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“Turn off your TV and think for yourself.”
—A L S ULKA
    H OW TO T HINK ABOUT P OLITICS
    Step 1: Get educated. Our government is run by the people (that’s you!) for the people (hello, you again!). So to participate in a meaningful way, first you’ve got to know what’s going on. Go to your local town hall meetings, read your newspaper, talk to your neighbors, write to your congressional representatives, heck, even watch C-SPAN. Politics may seem like a word that describes old white guys in suits arguing over things that don’t affect you, but that’s not true at all. Well, at least the part