One of my friends sent the following list to me, and in 2009 I'm going to put many of them into action in my life. I thought some of you might also enjoy reading it too.
40 Tips for an Exceptional New Year...
- Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. (This will help me loose the end of my baby padding... right?)
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you must. (I do this now and love the focus it gives me)
- Buy a TiVo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep. (We already have a DVR, and tape entirely too many shows. I need to get away from watching as much TV, but love the convienience of it!)
- When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to__________ today." (I love the idea of starting out my day with a specific goal or purpose!)
- Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
- Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2008. (I read almost 150 books in 2008, and there weren't many movies I really wanted to see. I love to play games - not electronic ones though.)
- Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. (This is going to be a big one for me in 2009. I've let too many things which are important to me slide.)
- Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. (Pretty sure I have this one covered plenty over)
- Dream more while you are awake.
- Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are not manufactured in plants. (This one is also brilliant! I would love to get back to not eating sugar, and processed foods.)
- Drink plenty of water. (I'm going to work on cutting out the caffeine. With a baby with his schedule backwards, it's going to be REALLY hard though!)
- Try to make at least three people smile each day.
- Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life. (I love this one, but don't tell Steve. I'll work on clearing out my clutter without his input)
- Don't waste your precious energy on gossip,energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. (This is fabulous! I'm going to also work on ignoring the comments and thoughts that are the same about me.)
- 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. (No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Accepting that we're all going through learning experiences is key. I definitely want to learn and change in 2009!)
- Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. (This is how they eat in Europe - I miss it! YAY for bringing it back!)
- Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
- Life isn't fair, but it's still good. (Amen - and I need to keep this in mind always!)
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
- Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
- Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
- Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy underwear cause today IS special.
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
- Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" (This will be great for me to keep in mind for many situations especially with Steve.)
- Forgive everyone for everything. (Consider everyone's slate clean starting today.)
- What other people think of you is none of your business. (I worry entirely too much about what others think of me. I need to get away from it...)
- Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. (Enough overtime - now I'm moving into Family Time!)
- Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. (Back to the clutter point earlier... I'll work on it.)
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
- The best is yet to come.
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. (This will be especially important over the next 4-6 weeks as I get acclimated into being a mommy!)
- Do the right thing!
- Call your family often.
- Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________." and "Today I accomplished _________." (Love closing the day out with a positive reinforcement.)
- Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. (I am VERY blessed and need to keep that in mind)
- Enjoy the ride. Remember that 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.
