HANDBOOK FOR 2010

HEALTH:  Drink plenty of water.  Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.  Eat more foods that grow on plants and less food manufactured in plants.  Live with the 3 E's: energy, enthusiasm and empathy.  Make time to pray.  Play more.  Read more books than you did in 2009.  Sit in silence at least 10 minutes a day.  Sleep for 7 hours.  Take a walk daily.  And while you walk, smile.

PERSONALITY:  Don't compare your life to others.  You don't know what their journey is all about.  Avoid negative thoughts or worrying about things you can't control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.  Don't overdo.  Keep your limits.  Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does.  Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.  Dream more while awake.  Envy is a waste-you already have all you need.  Forget issues of the past.  Don't remind your partner of past mistakes, it will ruin your present happiness.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Make peace with your past.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.  Realize life is a school, you are here to learn.  Problems are part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you apply will last a lifetime.  Smile and laugh more.  You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.

SOCIETY:  Call your family often.  Each day give something good to others.  Forgive everyone for everything.  Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 7.  Try to make at least three people smile each day.  What other people think of you is none of your business.  Your job may not take care of you when you are sick, your friends will.  Stay in touch.   

LIFE:  Do the right thing!  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.  God heals everything.  However good or bad a situation may be- it will change.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.  The best is yet to come.  When you awaken alive in the morning, thank God for it.  Your Inner Self is always happy.  So, be happy.  And share.

Insights like these abound on the internet and we often look past their meaning.  Our pace is so fast, our lives so cluttered that we may disregard the significant things, mistaking the urgent for the important. 

What would happen if in this New Year of 2010, you decided to live consciously, lovingly, and healthfully?  What would happen in your life if you extended yourself a little more for the people you live with and work with, and what would happen in your life if you allowed your blessings to truly impact your decisions?  Every minute of every day has the potential to change your life, for better or worse- are you up to the challenge?  If so, you can make this your year, and if not, it might look a lot like last year.

It's up to you to make 2010 your best year yet.  Join me on the journey of self-development, high standards, empowering beliefs and unflagging appreciation for this gift of life.  You'll be amazed how adopting such time-honored principles as your code of conduct lightens your load- try it and see!