Life lessons from "Star Wars"

If you've ever tried winning an argument with a toddler, a pet, or even a drunk friend, you probably already know:

There's no point trying to reason with someone who's making decisions based on anything other than logic.

Instead, allow C3PO to suggest a new strategy: "Let the Wookiee win."

Looks don't last forever

It's a tough pill to swallow for many people, but you can't stop the clock.

No, you can funnel your money into all sorts of plastic surgery, fillers and skin therapies; but in the end, Yoda's right:

“When 900-years-old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.”

Don't get cocky

It doesn't matter how awesome the thing you've just done is; you can turn a situation sour fast by getting full of yourself prematurely.

Instead, next time you do something good, just remember what Han Solo told Luke: "That's great, kid. Don't get cocky."

There's always a bigger fish

Next time you're feeling super cool and you're thinking about using your influence to bully or beat down someone else, remember what Qui-Gon Jinn taught us in "The Phantom Menace:"

"There's always a bigger fish.”

So, relax. Okay? There's probably someone bigger and cooler than you, waiting just around the corner.

Evil leads to unnatural abilities

"The Dark Side of the Force is the pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural." - Senator Palpatine

It's difficult for most people to understand the things evil people do. They aren't natural. They're the Dark Side at work.

Never judge a book by its cover

"Your eyes can deceive you, don't trust them." -Obi-Wan Kenobi

Sometimes evil masquerades as good. And sometimes good masquerades as evil.

So, never judge a book by its cover. You'll probably be wrong.

Something vaguely religious...

"Remember...the Force will be with you, always.” -Obi-Wan Kenobe

The "Star Wars" galaxy contains no organized religion; only meditation and an omnipresent sort of faith, called the force, which is all around us.

Don't try to predict the future

"Impossible to see, the future is." - Yoda

Here, Yoda reminds us that it's pointless to try to predict the future. Better to just set your intention and focus on the present.

Sometimes the odds are ugly

"Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid field is approximately 3,720 to 1.” - C-3PO

Sometime the odds are really stacked against us, but -- even in 3,720 to 1 -- someone has to be that one.

Children are wonders

“Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.” - Yoda

Children... They're untainted by the world. They have no reason to restrain their creativity. And they can think outside the lines.

Children have it right.

Hate and anger can be tools

“I sense great fear in you, Skywalker. You have hate… you have anger… but you don’t use them.” - Count Dooku

When they're harnessed, hate and anger can be powerful tools... dangerous, but powerful.

Put your money where your mouth is

“No! Try not! Do. Or do not. There is no try.” - Yoda

So, get off your butt and put your money where your mouth is already!

Teach a man to fish...

“Always two there are, no more, no less. A Master and an apprentice.” - Yoda

So, you know, teach a man to fish, and he'll turn into Darth Vader.

Size is never a good gauge

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is.” - Yoda

Never judge a person, based on their size. 'Cause the next time you do, that guy could be Yoda.

Fear leads to evil

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” - Yoda

'Nuff said.

You can change a bad boy

 "I can save him. I can turn him back to the good side. I have to try." - Luke

Ladies, Luke Skywalker here would have you believe that, contrary to all the signs your bad boy is sending you, you can change him.

Hmmm jury's still out on that one, though.

Jealousy is an ugly thing

“Attachment leads to jealously. The shadow of greed, that is.” - Yoda

What can we say? The little green guy is pretty wise.

Stay open-minded

"You will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

Stay open-minded, friends.

You have to fail to get better

"Strike me down and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." -Obi-Wan Kenobi

Here, Obi-Wan reminds us that we have to fail, before we can ever truly improve.

Death is natural

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force.” -Yoda

There's no need to grieve. The people who leave us never truly leave. They simply become a part of the force.

"Star Wars" isn't real, and neither is Yoda. But that's a pretty comforting thought anyway, isn't it?

Bad guys were once good

"There is good in him. I've felt it.” -Luke

It's always good to remember that, even bad guys, start out good. It's just... sometimes they've gone too far into the Dark Side to be pulled back.