having posted the list of tips to a better life – i decided to really implement them for a change. not just in a “nice thought” kind of way – as i usually “implement” so much of the wisdom that i stumble across.
so let’s look at what i’m already doing – and where i can improve:
1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
i walk more than i used to in SA, and most stints last about 10 minutes *lol* Okay, sometimes 7 minutes. but i always smile – it keeps the locals happy to see the teacher smiling ;0) i think i’ll push the average up to close to 30 – as i’m always filled with an enormous sense of well-being after smiling at the world whilst wandering about.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
this is not difficult for me to do – some would argue that it’s too easy for me sometimes. but especially since i started teaching, taking 10 minute breaks in silence has become a necessity for sanity.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
admittedly i usually get about 8 hours of sleep per night – when i’m not soaring or plummeting the extremes of my bipolar nature, that is. perhaps i should shave them to 7 and see what happens?
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
i’ve got Empathy down pat. will have to work on the Enthusiasm, which will surely sort the Energy out too.
5. Play more games.
hmm… honestly, outside of school i don’t play any games. i should start. i do have a deck of cards here somewhere…
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
way ahead here! just bought a new Paulo Coelho on sunday :0)
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
meditation and prayer are pretty much one and the same thing for me – and part of every moment of my life. yoga… erm… problem is finding an instructor that speaks English. cool – i’ll make this one (or Tai Chi) a priority for summer.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
i teach kindergarten ;0) getting into the over 70 crowd will require serious improvement in my Chinese ability.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
no problem there – doing it all the time.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
doing famously since moving here! daily fruit intake has gone up by 100% and dinner is always rice-based *lol*
11. Drink plenty of water.
getting there – though i still “substitute” with oolong tea…
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
okay, so my kids at kindergarten are easy. does it have to be three different people every day – or does my rice lady and the buxiban staff count?
13. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
i’m sooo out of the loop anyway.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
difficult one – but i’m willing to keep working on it!
15. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
aha! here is one where i need to be more mindful of what i allow into my head-space. admittedly i still have some threads of nastiness i cling to – above and beyond the negative thoughts associated with bipolar depression.
16. 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.
this very nearly captures the entirety of my personal philosophy on life.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
right – so i currently have yogurt, rice rolls and tea for breakfast, big lunch at school and one portion of “chicken rice” with a “green egg” for dinner… looks like i’ll have to up my breakfast and downgrade my dinner slightly ;0)
18. Smile and laugh more.
and more and more – every day. good idea, methinks.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
no hating – gotcha!
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
i need to remind myself of this more often. maybe make a poster of it on my door?
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
this is so true – and something i try to implement whenever the situation arises. (note: “try”)
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
part of my 12 step program too ;0)
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t compare your partner with others.
i thank my Mom for teaching me this one when i was little!
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
in more ways than i care to admit!
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
a daily task i gladly take on.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
and i wish i could remember that more often than not!
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
change is, after all, the one thing you can bet on ;0)
28. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
NB! NB! NB! i’ve been really awful at keeping in touch these last few months.
29. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
done *lol* welcome to expat living!
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
another one for the poster on my door.
31. The best is yet to come.
i should have this as a screen saver on my mobile!
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
happy meds or no ;0)
33. Do the right thing!
even if it hurts.
34. Call your family often.
thank Heaven for Skype!
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
worth reminding myself when Aunty Debra (Debbie Downer) pops ’round.
36. Each day give something good to others.
love and respect are the best – and they’re free!
37. Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
another one for the poster!
38. Share this with someone you care about ;0)
hehe – i blogged this, didn’t i ;0)
love ya!
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