Everyday Reminders

I'll be honest here--I'm not much of a chain email kind of person. We get so many chain emails (I guess that's what they're called) forwarded from friends and family and I simply don't have the time to read them all but I do read some here and there. Sorry. Ryan, on the other hand, takes time to read each one so you're good. I'll occasionally forward an email if I think it's interesting or funny, but I try not to too much because I'm sure you're all busy and have oodles of emails too! But here's one I received today from a friend and it's really good. I think a similar one gets circulated every January because it seemed really familiar to me. I have to admit that some of the things were a little cheesy so I deleted them and some of the things I elaborated on because they are ones I have found I need to work on and that I think are so crucial to obtaining inner happiness and to becoming a well-rounded person. Here's the list going up on my fridge today:

Health:

♥ Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
♥ Read more books than you did in 2009
♥ Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
♥ Take a 10-30 minute walk daily, and while you walk, smile.

Personality:

♥ Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
♥ Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
♥ Don't over do. Keep your limits.
♥ Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
♥ Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
♥ Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
♥ Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
♥ Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
♥ 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 (and beyond).
♥ Smile and laugh more.
♥ You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...Be willing to compromise, respect other's opinions and differences...HUMILITY.

Society:

♥ Each day give something good to others.
♥ Forgive everyone for everything. ARE YOU PERFECT? FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE THEY AREN'T EITHER.
♥ What other people think of you is none of your business--so don't sweat it!

Life:

♥ Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
♥ God heals everything.
♥ However good or bad a situation is, it will change...
♥ No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up--and put a big smile on your face whether you feel like it or not.
♥ Instead of stressing over things tell yourself, "No worries". Let things go. Choose your battles. Go with the flow but stand firm to your beliefs always. And one last thing, Be Happy. Nobody's life is easy. We're all in this together. You can choose to be happy in life or choose to be grumpy--the choice is yours.