Like so many of you, I have several friends who faithfully send me forwarded e-mail material. They ask me from time to time if they are being a nuisance; and when they do, my general response is to say, “I don’t mind it at all. I need the ammunition!”
What I mean by this is that I have learned that people like me who communicate for a living are almost always in need of material. As a result, we who communicate are usually appreciative of quality material that comes their way. One might say that communicators are forever “on the prowl” for meaningful material. And they usually “pounce” on any worthwhile opportunity when it presents itself.
Thus, ever so often, something I receive will strike me as appropriate for my post. Such is the origin of the following piece, titled simply “2011 Handbook”. I hope you enjoy it.
2011 HANDBOOK
HEALTH:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with “The Three Es” -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And, while you walk, smile.
PERSONALITY:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your spouse about the mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Don't hate others. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. 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.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
SOCIETY:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day, give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. So stay in touch.
LIFE:
32. Always do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your innermost is always happy. So, be happy.
This is probably not all that bad advice for most of us; especially as we stand on the threshold of a new year.
What I mean by this is that I have learned that people like me who communicate for a living are almost always in need of material. As a result, we who communicate are usually appreciative of quality material that comes their way. One might say that communicators are forever “on the prowl” for meaningful material. And they usually “pounce” on any worthwhile opportunity when it presents itself.
Thus, ever so often, something I receive will strike me as appropriate for my post. Such is the origin of the following piece, titled simply “2011 Handbook”. I hope you enjoy it.
2011 HANDBOOK
HEALTH:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with “The Three Es” -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And, while you walk, smile.
PERSONALITY:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your spouse about the mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Don't hate others. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. 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.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
SOCIETY:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day, give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. So stay in touch.
LIFE:
32. Always do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. God heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your innermost is always happy. So, be happy.
This is probably not all that bad advice for most of us; especially as we stand on the threshold of a new year.