40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. (Especially on those days when yelling at your kids just doesn't make you feel any better.)
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep. (OR stop watching TV, cancel your cable, 'cause most shows are streamed anyway..and get MORE MONEY!!....I still need to work on this one.)
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today..' (Most mornings mine is filled in with "to take a shower")
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008. (and try to borrow them from the library because your house can get really cluttered if not..and that does NOT make for a good 2009)
7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 80 and under the age of 6. (They really know how to make a person laugh...no seriously!)
9. Dream more while you are awake. (But NOT while you're driving your kids to school..that can be super dangerous!)
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. (Dangit!! What about canned corn??)
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. (I still didn't see canned corn...did you?)
12. Try to make at least five people smile each day - including yourself!
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and
flowing energy into your life. (Or in my case, try hard NOT to let NEW clutter flow into the areas I just cleaned out!!)
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. (or Postive Gossip...there IS such a thing..Like the other day, I saw my neighbor with this positively divine clutch and I had to ask around to see where she got it at! I felt so much better after I got the same one!)
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. (But like some of Lifes Lessons, problems can still pop up in a nightmare...much like that Algebra II problem I had my junior year. The fix is to get a drink of water..it helps you get back to sleep and have better dreams..oh, and a Better Life!)
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. (Everytime I read this one, I'm still not sure how this will make for a better 2009. It might be because we still are the "college kids" eating on a maxed out credit card...)
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away. (Be careful with this one though, don't overdo it..it could also chase friends away, because they might think you're a bit crazy!)
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. (AMEN!)
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. (I was a bit devastated when I read this one...I hope my kids at least take me seriously...baaahahahahhaha!)
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. (or your perfectly good dinner!)
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. (and your dryer...to explain, the dryer's been shrinking my jeans and that makes me very unhappy! Dang you Dryer...DANG YOU!!)
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26. Forgive everyone for everything - including yourself.
27. What other people think of you is none of YOUR business. (So Stop Stressin' About it!)
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything. (yes, even that cut you got from your baby who accidentally scratched you with his scratchy fingernails...)
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. (so don't get your hopes up...baaahahahahahahahaha! I'm just kidding folks!)
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch..(thank you Facebook, for helping find a whole gaggle of friends who will take care of me when Affleck just won't.)
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. (like that aforementioned cute clutch!)
33. The best is yet to come. (Thank you Gillete & Sinatra for helping me realize this!)
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. (And if people laugh at you, it's probably because stripes and polka dots DON'T go together.)
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often.
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________. (Depends; feeling dry today)
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. (and 2Legit 2Quit)
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. (with the least amount of puking possible.)
40. Please share the wealth of your "new knowlege" gained from this list, with everyone you know!!! (Minus the stuff I had in parentheses, OF COURSE!)
May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!
