Ivy and stone stairs at Millesgården, Stockholm (Sweden). Photo by Mihaela Limberea

Whatever you think matters—doesn’t. Follow this rule, and it will add decades to your life. It does not matter if you are late, or early; if you are here, or if you are there; if you said it, or did not say it; if you were clever, or if you were stupid; if you are having a bad hair day, or a no hair day; if your boss looks at you cockeyed; if your girlfriend or boyfriend looks at you cockeyed; if you are cockeyed; if you don’t get that promotion, or prize, or house, or if you do. It doesn’t matter.

Roger Rosenblatt (b. 1940), American memoirist, essayist, and novelist.