Manners and politeness will never become old-fashioned.

How to win in life:1 work hard 2 complain less 3 listen more 4 try, learn, grow5 don't let people tell you it cant be done6 make no excuses

You can escape completely, seeking an alternative life, or you can play the game and go absent without leave. How you do it is up to you.

Being able to read well in public and talk about your work in an engaging fashion is part of most writers' job specification.

Don't be timid. You're a writer, use your role, test it, make something of it. These are decisive times, everything is turning upside down. Participate, be present.

But pearls are for tears, the old legend says," Gilbert had objected."I'm not afraid of that. And tears can be happy as well as sad. My very happiest moments have been when I had tears in my eyes__hen Marilla told me I might stay at Green Gables__hen Matthew gave me the first pretty dress I ever had__hen I heard that you were going to recover from the fever. So give me pearls for our troth ring, Gilbert, and I'll willingly accept the sorrow of life with its joy." -Anne