The 2019 Ten Commandments

As our 2018 holiday season comes to an end and we look forward to a New Year with new hopes and new expectations, let us remember to follow a few rules for the New Year. These are not “New Year’s Resolutions.” They are New Year’s Rules. We will call them “The 2019 Ten Commandments.”

1. Leave hatred and animosity behind you. Replace it with forgiveness. Hostility and bitterness will destroy our communities at all levels — locally, statewide, nationwide, and globally. Let there be peace, and may we all say, “Let it begin with ME.”

2. Show your love and support to your community, your neighbors, your friends, and your family. Appreciate people now. We never know when it will be the last time we see a loved one.

3. Help those who are less fortunate. They may need help because of circumstances, or because of their own choices. They still need for you to care.

4. Be generous. Generosity is very rewarding. Not only does it help others, but it helps you as

well. It has been proven that generous people are happier and healthier than those who do not consider the needs of others.

5. Get involved in a church and/or a service organization. Helping others is an individual decision, but we are better able to help when we join our efforts with others.

6. Shop locally. The small businesses need you, and when you care about the small businesses in your community, this means you care about your community.

7. Work no more than six days of the week. God intended for us to rest one of the seven days he gave us. He himself rested on the seventh day, and He knew what he was doing when he asked this of us.

8. Don’t be rude on the road. Having the right of way does not always mean your way is right. Be courteous, and consider that the other driver may have something happening of which you are not aware.

9. Laugh a lot. Laughter is contagious. Your laughter will lighten someone else’s burden, as well as your own.

10. Support your local newspaper. Whether it is The Madera Tribune, or another publication that is in your community, your local newspaper is your connection with others in your town. Consider its need for you as much as your need for its service to your community. Newspapers are not supported enough these days, and many of them do not survive.

I would like to end the year 2018 with words of gratitude for the readers and for the advertisers of The Madera Tribune. You have allowed this community newspaper to survive tough times, and I ask you for your continued support, as The Madera Tribune will continue to love and support our community. Thank you.

As I promised before, I will soon be sharing with you the “heart” of The Tribune. Until then, Happy New Year 2019! May you have a happy, healthy, and blessed year.

My love to all,

— Nancy The (Real) Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other Gods but me.

2. You shall not make for yourself any idol, nor bow down to it or worship it.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4. You shall remember and keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Respect your father and mother.

6. You must not commit murder.

7. You must not commit adultery.

8. You must not steal.

9. You must not give false evidence against your neighbour.

10. You must not be envious of your neighbour’s goods. You shall not be envious of his house nor his wife, nor anything that belongs to your neighbour.

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“Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”

— 1 John 4:7