A list for the journey

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

The long holiday season causes anxiety, stress and severe burn out. People are caught in the frantic, frenetic whirl of activities, events and the traffic snarls. The spider web of commerce and materialism entraps the majority.

In the spending, shopping frenzy, we sometimes forget the real significance of the birth of Jesus. We need quiet time to reflect, pray and nourish the spirit.

Oscar Wilde once wrote, “In this world, there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

Human beings have needs and many desires. One needs discernment to know the difference.

Success is having what we want. Happiness is being content with what we have and loving those who love us.

Here is a list for our journey.

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water. (A drop of lemon juice is good.)

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince. Have a very light dinner.

3. Eat more food that grow on trees and plants. Eat less processed food. (Avoid preservatives, MSG, transfats, too much salt and sugar.)

4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.

6. Play more games. (Board games, team sports. Not intrigues.)

7. Read more books to broaden your outlook. “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attraction,” Einstein remarked.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. (Meditation is good for the soul and relaxes the body.)

9. Sleep for 7 to 8 hours. Or take a power nap when you lack sleep. It protects the brain.

10. Take a 30-minute walk every day. Exercise. Be active. The heart needs stimulation. ( You will release happy hormones.)

Personality:

11. Don’t compare your life to others’. Don’t judge or be selfrighteous.

12. Avoid negative thoughts or things you cannot control.

Invest your energy in the positive, present moment. Einstein wrote, “I never think of the future. It comes soon enough.”

13. Don’t overdo anything. Keep your limits. Know your priorities.

14. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip. (It is negative.)

16. Dream more while you are awake. (This is a favorite!)

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all that you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner about his/ her mistakes. That would ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. (Pray for them!)

20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present. Move on.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. The lessons you learn will last a lifetime. ( Or else, you will keep repeating the same mistakes.) 23. Smile and laugh more. 24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

25. Spend more quality time with your family.

26. Each day, give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything. Move on.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 75 & under the age of five. You will learn so much about perspective.

29. What other people think of you is THEIR problem, not yours.

30. Your job and your work colleagues won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your true friends and some members of your family will. Stay in touch often.

Life:

32. Do the right thing! 33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or cheerful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. Have hope.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

37. The best will happen. Think positive. Be patient. 38. Be true to yourself. 39. Count your blessings. Be grateful and show your appreciation. 40. Be kind and compassionate. 41. Do what makes you happy. Charlie Chaplin said: “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”