Tuesday, December 8, 2009

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2010

I'm not waiting until January 1st to make big changes in my life. I've learned it's better to make daily/weekly/monthly goals instead of yearly resolutions. It seems too easy to break those big yearly resolutions and once they're broken I would just wait until the next year to break them again. Not anymore.

My life has changed so much in just the last month. I'm overjoyed to no longer be working in a high stress job, I'm relieved I'll be able to collect unemployment while I figure out how to make a living without having to look at another lawyer, I joined the gym and have time to go, I got LASIK eye surgery and don't need to wear glasses/contacts anymore, and I'm having some major dental work completed. I'm getting excited just thinking about what 2010 will bring. Where will I be this time next year? Where will you be?

Tips for a Better Life:

1. Take a 10-30 minute (or more) walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

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.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to _____ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year.

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 70 and under the age of six.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

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.

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.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince & dinner like a college kid w/a maxed out charge card. (I believe the saying is "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a price and dinner like a pauper." Junk food is too cheap that it's all a college kid w/a maxed out charge card eats.)

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

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.

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.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

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.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

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.

40. Love Yourself.

May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

10 comments:

  1. Great post , I just may copy it down and post it up on my fridge, great advice , thanks for sharing !

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  2. Thank you for those tips.
    It's a lot to live up to, but if you achieve at least half of all this, you must be living a good life.
    It's good to read this and take a good look at your own life and compare. I'm going to take these on board in my Look Back at 2009.

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  3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE NUMBER NINE.

    Totally what I believe yet had not crystallized in that clear manner.

    and also have to ask :) have you read Rage Against....


    Did you like it?
    I cant get into it---but I wanna...

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  4. Susan: I'm going to post it on my fridge and try to live it as much as possible.

    Me: Most of them are things we generally strive to do but it is good to be reminded about what's important.

    Miz: I love #9 too. I'm doing more day dreaming now that I have some time and less stress.

    Yes, I read "Rage Against the Meshugenah - Why It Takes Balls to Go Nuts" and loved it. It's hard to believe a book about depression could be funny but Danny Evans makes it work. You should check out his blog too - Dad Gone Mad.

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  5. Amazing amazing amazing post! I am going to print these things out and keep them somewhere prominent....like by my secret stash of cookies or something. ;)

    I've actually started waking up and defining my purpose for each day since the divorce. It's so great to see that it's actually emotionally healthy to do so.

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  6. Thanks for sharing the list. I'm gonna study it more and see what I haven't been doing.

    I love the last tip. I think loving myself has been a pivotal moment in my life.

    -Denise

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  7. The feeling is mutual!

    The end of my year has been insane but I am determined not to end it off that way :)

    I'm in a rush but shall return to read your list.

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  8. Those are some great ideas. I am with Susan. Copying and print! And attribute to you.
    Thanks.

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  9. Great list! Many of the things I try to do, or have incorporated into my life. But lots of others I need to be more mindful of.

    Had to go check out #9--yes, I love this one too! I am really working on #13 and #31!!

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