1) Say them out loud in class one by one.

(1) What a great day!

(2) That didn’t fit the bill.

(3) Life’s been good to me.

(4) Things couldn’t be better.

(5) This doesn’t (quite) suit me (at all).

(6) It feels good just to be alive.

(7) It’s not up to par/standard.

(8) This is far from what I had in mind.

(8) Everything’s coming up roses.

(10) That leaves a lot to be desired.

(11) I don’t have a care in the world.

(12) That’s it. I’m calling it quits.

2) Play the roles of Terry and Nancy in the following dialogue, paying attention to the underlined expressions.

Terry: I’m finished. That’s it. I’m calling it quits.

Nancy: Come on, it’s not all that bad! Obviously not the end of the world. 

Terry: But this is so far from what I had in mind. No comparison to what I planned.

Nancy: Be realistic. You got to know the difference between what’s possible and what’s not. 

Terry: I do know, but still. This doesn’t suit me at all.

Nancy: Take it easy. Don’t get stuck on the things you clearly can’t change.

Terry: I just learned that the letter E is for Enthusiasm. I was enthusiastic about it — at first. But this really leaves a lot to be desired.

Nancy: OK, well, let’s not forget that the letter H is for Happy, and the letter J is for Joyfulness. So just let the whole thing go. Be happy. 

Terry: You seem like you don’t have a care in the world. How come?

Nancy: Life’s been good to me.

Terry: How so? What’s your recipe?

Nancy: Well, it just feels good just to be alive , that’s all, honestly. Usually seems to me everything’s coming up roses, pretty much.

Terry: Oh yeah? I’d sure like to smell those roses in my life…

* Draw up your own code of conduct for life, as indicated below. The following serves as an example. 

My Personal Code of Conduct for Life

My code of conduct for life is made up of three letters, A, B and C:

A is for Action. Impossible is nothing, but it’s your actions that make everything possible. Actions speak louder than words. Have you heard that saying before? Well, just do it.

B is for Belief. Hold to a belief in life and it will help you carry yourself in a positive way. And that, in turn, will make your life meaningful and successful. A positive attitude towards life is infectious. Everything catches its power. 

C is for Change. Adapt yourself to changing times. Be realistic and don’t get stuck on an idea of what should be. Modify or change that view accordingly. 

These three letters have been guiding me well for a long time.