I’ve been around for a lot more than a few years. And,
stubborn as I can be, I’ve learned some things along the way. Oddly enough,
it’s not the big lessons that have made a difference in my life, but a series
of small rules for happy living that I’ve learned to make a part of my daily
life.
1.
Do at least one thing a day that gives you
pleasure.
2.
Live your life in chapters. Focus on the chapter
you’re in now. You don’t have to do/have/be it all now!
3.
Don’t get overwhelmed. Break everything into
baby steps. One page a day is a book in a year. Fifteen minutes a day on any
overwhelming or distasteful task adds up and eventually will lengthen on its
own. The ordinary kitchen timer is your friend.
4.
Always clean up your messes.
5.
Be kind to yourself and others.
6.
Give something back.
7.
Use it, appreciate it, or lose it. Your body,
mind, belongings. Remember, unapplied knowledge is wasteful (if not tragic).
8.
Make time to do often what you do well and
enjoy. Spend time with people who think you’re great. When the world isn’t
noticing you, notice and reward yourself. Give others recognition, in turn.
9.
Make quiet time for yourself alone every day. And
a corollary is have a place, even merely a spot, that’s just for you. Use it
for devotions, meditation, journaling, or just reading. Give yourself 10
minutes of silence every day.
10.
Pay attention to your breath. Conscious breath
control can help you control stress, worry, and fear and replace them with calm
and peace.
11.
You create the path you’ll walk on in life with
your words. Think before you speak. Remind yourself that, to a great extent,
you are creating your reality when you speak.
12.
Pay attention to your own emotional needs and
desires.
13.
Decide what you want your life to look like. Write
it down. In detail.
14.
Act “as if.” Imagine if your desired life were
here now, if you could not fail. What would you do? Do it.
15.
Conserve your energy. Rid your life of energy
thieves—negative people and habits.
What about you? What rules would you add to my list?
There is also the rule of three, expressed by an old saying in Yiddish: If one person calls you an ass, laugh at him. If two people call you an ass, consider that it might be true. If three people call you an ass, get a saddle.
ReplyDeleteDon't hold yourself responsible for what you didn't know. Humans aren't omniscient. Don't allow people to hold you responsible for what you didn't know or had no control over.
ReplyDeleteSome people think if you reveal your weaknesses, you are weak. Keep away from those boneheads. They lack self awareness and live in denial. They only value those who can enhance themselves with perfection and power. They are delusional. In other words, most of Washington, D. C.
If your great plotting break through happens while you're driving, pull off the road before writing it down. Seek serenity, find joy in every day, and mine your memory for the perfect place to dump a body.
ReplyDeleteLinda, you have great rules.
ReplyDeleteI would add to make sure to allot time for improving your skills in whatever you are doing.
And Warren, I love the saying. I'd suggest that depending on who the three people are, you should either keep the saddle for yourself or put it on them.
~ Jim
ReplyDeleteLinda, great rules. I guess I'd only add don't hold grudges. Anger at others harms you more that the one who has wronged you. Forgive and get on with your life. That includes hanging on to past grief, too. It's not that memories of those you've lost go away, but don't let grieving become who you are.
Great rules, Linda! Especially the one about energy thieves, aka emotional vampires.
ReplyDeleteA rule I like is to remember is to count my blessings. Trying to think of one thing every day that I am thankful for keeps me sane and puts things in perspective.
How's the wrist?
I love, love, love, love act as if. I would add two things. Forgive yourself and learn something new every day. Life is an adventure.
ReplyDeleteGreat rules, Linda. And the additions are great, too. It's easy to let yourself get waylaid by disappointment and other people's expectations.
ReplyDeleteI love these, Linda. I would add: Never make an important decision on an empty stomach or when tired.
ReplyDeleteLove that rule of three, Warren!
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late responding, but just got back from getting xrayed, getting the cast removed from my wrist, and getting fitted into a big bulky wrist brace. Yay!!
Elaine and Margaret, great additions!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jim.
Gloria, Shari, and Kait, fabulous additions!
Km, you're so right!
ReplyDeleteKara, perfect addition!