Plays Well With Others

Sheri and Bill Eppright
Oct 22
4 min read

Updated: Nov 2

Play Well With Others - Sheri & Bill (original photography by Sheri & Bill)

Since childhood, we’ve been told, “Play well with others.” It was good advice then, and its good advice now - mostly because it’s more fun that way.

Somewhere along the way, though, we became grown-ups. We learned the “rules.” We got a little more selective about who we play with. We even started keeping score.

But wait - don’t the rules sometimes change? And people… oh, they definitely change. So, what’s a fair-minded, rule-following, people-loving person supposed to do to keep up?

Bill: I read the second half of “How to Make Friends and Influence People.” So, I nailed the “influence” part. Still working on the “make friends” part. Maybe next week. However, I did pick up a few helpful pointers along the way.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

1) Share your candy. Too much sugar’s not good for you anyway.

2) Don’t intentionally start arguments - accidents happen easily enough.

3) Listen to understand, not just waiting for the moment to jump back in the conversation.

4) If you’re going to lie, don’t …at least remember them. Easier still: just tell the truth.

5) Don’t tell the same joke to the same person more than three times. It’s hard to fake a 4^th laugh.

6) Encourage your friends in the right direction. Words matter.

7) Be on time and keep your promises. Don’t be a flake.

8) Aim for win-win. It’s golden.

9) Clever is good – if it still works for everyone…see #8

Sheri: I have a couple more for the list:

9 ½) If you borrow something, return it in better condition than you got it (unless it’s fruitcake.)

9 3/4) Never underestimate the power of snacks to turn enemies into allies.

10) Know when to end the list. (Like now. :) )

In short, playing well with others isn’t all that different from the playground days, except now the sandbox is bigger, the stakes are higher, and we have to bring our own snacks.

The rules? Still kindness, fairness, and a dash of humor… plus knowing when to quit while you’re ahead.

Positive Reflections...

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.” – Charles Dickens Lightening someone’s load — with help, humor, or even snacks — is how we keep the sandbox fun for everyone.

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Friendship isn’t complicated: bring your shovel, share your bucket, and play fair. The rest takes care of itself.

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese It’s not the long workweeks we treasure — it’s the little moments of laughter, kindness, and connection that stick.

Music is our Happy Place - Sheri & Bill — Music Corner - Sheri & Bill.

Music Corner…

Songs have a way of reminding us of truths we already know deep down — like the fact that life really is better when we don’t go it alone. The right melody can turn “play well with others” from a childhood lesson into an adult survival skill.

Whether it’s leaning on a friend, showing up when someone needs you, or just remembering we’re all part of the same game, music has a way of carrying those lessons straight to the heart.

“With a Little Help from My Friends” – The Beatles (1967) A reminder that life’s better when we’ve got people to lean on, even if we have to ask them awkward questions like, “Would you stand up and walk out on me?”

“You’ve Got a Friend” – Carole King (1971) Gentle, heartfelt, and timeless, Carole King’s ballad feels like a handwritten note you tuck in someone’s pocket to let them know you’re there. It’s the kind of song that makes you think, Yep, that’s the person I want around.

“We’re All in This Together” – Ben Lee (2005) A sunny, singalong anthem that says we’re better off when we’re connected. Ben Lee’s easy, conversational delivery feels like a friend getting ready to say, “Come on, let’s play.”

Tell us, what songs would you have selected?

Sheri & Bill, Storytellers in Word Image and Song

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