Tips for a better life.

This isn't ironic. Today I was forwarded an email from a friend I care about. We all receive those awful "pass it on" emails full of idiotic platitudes, but this one felt a little different. Yes, you've heard them before, but it made me happy to reminded of them. I'm sharing it here.

• Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
• Sleep for 7 hours.
• Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
• Play more games.
• Read more books than you did the previous year.
• Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
• Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
• Dream more while you are awake.
• Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
• Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
• Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
• 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.
• Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
• Smile and laugh more.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
• 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 spoil the present.
• Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
• No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
• Forgive everyone for everything.
• What other people think of you is none of your business.
• 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.
• Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
• 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.
• Do the right thing!
• Call your family often.
• Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
• Each day give something good to others.
• Don't over do. Keep your limits.