By Scott Schmeltzer, Thank for Listening

I need my reader&8217;s help &8230; all 73 of them (and growing).

Life outlook

My philosophy on life is simple: Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

I believe that my life philosophy was ingrained into my head since I was about 4 years old.

Isn&8217;t it funny how everyone has a different life philosophy? Some are long, some are short, some are funny, and then some are very thought provoking.

With 2008 just starting out I would love to hear from our readers about what their life philosophies are.

Seriously, please write to me at: Albert Lea Tribune c/o life philosophies, 808 W Front St., Albert Lea, MN 56007 or e-mail me at scott.schmeltzer@albertleatribune.com.

It can be as simple as what you think is the key to life or as long as a couple paragraphs on what you think are the reasons for living or having a life.

You do not have to leave your name, but I will share some of the better ones in an upcoming column.

I think sharing different life philosophies is a great way to get a new or different look on life.

Thanks for sharing.

Critique me

I want to be critiqued as a writer because you are only as good as what you are writing about, and with that said I encourage everyone to write in or e-mail me at the same above addresses as to what you like or dislike about my columns.

I will then take what you say and try to be better at writing about what you want to hear about.

I normally try to write things that are uplifting and funny as I think it is better to laugh at things than to let them get to you, but I also try to be the defender of, and I have mentioned this numerous times, children and dogs. I think that if you mess with people or animals that are defenseless, then you are a worthless person.

The last topic that I would like to write about is champions in our community &8212; the dedicated people from Relay for Life, United Way and the many good things that we have in our county.

So if these things have touched your heart or have made you mad, please write to me and let me know either pro or con on what I should really look at writing about weekly in my column.

I much appreciate input as we are a community newspaper and you are what we are all about.

Thanks.

Quotations

I like quotes and from time to time. I like to share some of my favorite quotes. This is one of those times:

&8220;Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.&8221; &8212; Paulo Coehlo from his book &8220;Eleven Minutes.&8221;

&8220;When every day seems the same, it is because we have stopped noticing the good things that appear in our lives.&8221; &8212; Paulo Coehlo from his book &8220;The Alchemist&8221;

&8220;Don&8217;t compromise yourself. You&8217;re all you&8217;ve got.&8221; &8212; singer Janis Joplin

&8220;If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet, they&8217;re about to announce the lottery numbers!&8221; &8212; cartoon dad Homer Simpson

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer&8217;s column appears every Thursday.