The New Year is just around the corner. This is often the time when people look back on the year just lived and make resolutions for how they will live in the new year differently. While there’s typically not a shortage of ideas out there on how to live a better life, I didn’t want this period of self reflection to go by without adding in my two cents. So if you’re a little short on time this holiday season, please feel free to use any or all of my ideas for making 2012 a stellar year.
1. Make time for you. There’s a reason the airline industry tells you to put your oxygen mask on before tending to anyone else.
2. Play more and work less. No one dies wishing they had spent more hours working.
3. Don’t just do something, sit there. Create some quiet/meditative time for yourself. You might be surprised how much better you feel and how much clearer life becomes.
4. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Your body needs to recuperate from the day.
5. Walk or exercise at least 20 minutes per day. Don’t say you don’t have time, make the time. (see #1)
6. Drink plenty of water.
7. Eat more plants and less food manufactured in plants.
8. Spend more time with family and friends.
9. Read more good books; life is too short to read the bad ones.
10. Don’t take yourself or life too seriously.
11. Travel to someplace you’ve never been before.
12. Stop holding grudges – they just add ugly pounds to your soul.
13. Argue less. Would you rather be right or happy?
14. Accumulate more memories and less stuff.
15. Laugh. People who laugh more live longer.
16. Live life to it’s fullest; this is not a dress rehearsal.
17. Dream more, even when you are awake.
18. Don’t spend time hating, envying, or dwelling on negative thoughts. They just use up the time you could be loving and happy.
19. Perform random acts of kindness.
20. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
21. Keep in mind that no one can make you feel inferior without your permission.
22. Be the change you want to see in the world.
23. Stand up for what is right, even if you’re standing alone.
24. Live each day as if it’s your last; one day it will be.