Sleep When They Sleep

Back when I was pregnant with Noah, everyone (even people I didn't know) advised me to 'get all the sleep you can, cuz when they come you won't be getting any!'  Then after I had Noah people would say,  'sleep when he sleeps!'   I have to say, that is some of the best advice I have ever received...and I still sleep when he sleeps.  Not every nap mind you, but I figure why can't I lay down for a little 30 minute nap while Noah takes his.  Is that a crime?

At one of my wedding showers (which I had jointly with my BFF Chelsea) everyone went around the room and offered Chelsea and I advice about marriage.  I don't remember most of them, there were probably some like 'don't go to bed mad' or 'always put your spouse before yourself' - you know, the usual.  But one gal (I can't even recall who) said, ' If you are in an argument, argue naked.  It's hard to be mad when you are standing around with no clothes on.'  To which Chelsea's aunt replied, 'Unless you're my age, then it only makes things worse.'  Although I have never tested this advice myself, I am sure it works.

I have received many pieces of advice - some I have sought out and some I have just been given.  I likewise have given my fair share of advice.  But what good is the advice you give, if you aren't living by the things you say?  I rarely read advice columns, in fact rarely doesn't even apply - I never do.  But while reading through a religious article I ran across this letter that was written to Anne Landers (probably many years ago):

“Dear Ann Landers: A year ago our two-year-old son, Earl, had difficulty breathing, so we took him to a doctor. We learned Earl is allergic to cigarette smoke. My husband said we both had to quit smoking right then and there. He hasn’t touched a cigarette since. I went back to smoking that same night. My husband doesn’t know I smoke. I have to sneak around and smoke in the basement. And it is making a nervous wreck of me. Do you think it would be wrong if we let a nice couple adopt little Earl—a nice couple, who don’t smoke? The only problem is that my husband is crazy about the boy. I love him, too, but I am the more practical type. What do you think, Ann?” 

"Dear Mrs. ____: I think a lot of people who read this letter are going to say I made it up. It’s utterly fantastic that a mother would put cigarettes ahead of her own child. Don’t present your wild idea to your husband. I wouldn’t blame him if he decided to keep little Earl and unload you.” Taken from: Thomas S. Monson, “Only a Teacher,” Ensign, Jan 1990

I couldn't believe my eyes.  How selfish could one woman be, to even feel the need to write a letter and ask Ann Landers a question where the answer seems clear.  Sometimes that's what advice is I guess...asking someone for answers that we may already have ourselves!   So tell me, what is some of the best advice you have been given- no matter how cliche' it may be.

My source for great advice:  www.lds.org