If you can, always be cheerful.

If you can, resist complaining.

If you can, accept that your loved ones cannot always give you their time.

If you can, take criticism and blame without resentment.

If you can, conquer tension without medical help.

If you can, relax without alcohol.

If you can, sleep without the aid of drugs.

If you can do all of the above, then you are probably the family dog. But just in case you are not, make the family dog your role model. Inner peace and happiness will be yours. Guaranteed.

— Anonymous

If you can … try to handle stress like a dog. J. Elke Ertle, www.walled-in-berlin.com

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, “Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom,” click “Download a free excerpt” on the home page of http://www.walled-in-berlin.com