I received an email this morning with the subject header that says: "Fwd: 2011 Handbook." Firstly, I rarely bother to read anything that starts with Fwd. Secondly, it had graphic images that needed downloading. So I was about to delete it, when I noticed it was a list. Ooh, how I love lists. I started skimming the list and giving some credence to this email. It was simple, to the point, and spot on. But I thought why should this be a life's handbook for just 2011 only. So I altered the title, tailored the contents to 'my' likings, removed the part about forwarding it for luck, posting it on my blog, and voila:
"Life's Timeless Handbook" (in no particular order):
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 trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
- Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
- Make time to pray or meditate.
- Play more games outside.
- Read more books.
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
- Sleep for at least 7 hours.
- Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
- Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
- When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
- Laughter is the best medicine.
- Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
- What we think, we become.
- Be truthful or be quiet. Lies are hard to keep track of.
- Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
- Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
- Dream more while you are awake. Dream big.
- Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
- Take lots of pictures.
- Don't wait. Time will never be just right.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff.
- Move on. Let go. Always look forward.
- Don't worry. Be happy.
- Call your family often.
- Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.
- Forgive everyone for everything.
- Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
- It's okay to let your children see you cry.
- Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
- Smile, it's contagious.
- What other people think of you is none of your business.
- It's okay to be different
- Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
- Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.
- You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
- In the end people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you’d made them feel.
- Do the right thing!
- Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
- Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
- Remember, everything happens for a reason.
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
- Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.
- Seize the day and place not trust in tomorrow.
- Be grateful. If the only prayer you said in your whole life was "thank you," that would suffice.
- Practice compassion. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
- Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
- Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
- The love we give away is the only love we keep.
- Be faithful to yourself.
What would you add to "Life's Timeless Handbook"?
...and no, you will not have bad luck for 7 years if you do not pass this on to 10 friends in the next 2 minutes.
