40 Tips for a Powerful New Year

I know I mentioned in my last blog that I would talk about a pet peeve of mine that I've notice in college and pro football, but I read something today at school that speaks volumes to how we should rededicate ourselves this year. I found this in my mailbox this morning after a relaxing snow day yesterday (Any personal asides to these will be in parenthesis):

40 Tips for a Powerful New Year
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement:
"My purpose is to _____________ today."
5. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games, and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. (Not a problem- Ethan is 2 and I still have my grandparents to talk to.)
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea & plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day. (Being a teacher, that's easy- as long as they don't cross me!!)
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. 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. (In my case algebra class never fades away...)
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away. (I wonder just exactly who or what these energy vampires look like...)
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. (Someone please say that to my 8th-graders!!)
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business. (AMEN!!)
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful. (All news about Britney Spears fits in perfectly with this one...)
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come. (Where's Tony Bennett to sing this when we need him?!?!)
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing. (Somewhere Spike Lee is smiling at this one...)
37. Call your mother and father often. (I don't do this nearly enough as I should, I'm working hard on this one...)
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
"I am thankful for _________." "Today I accomplished ___________."
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. (Another AMEN!!)
40. Enjoy the ride. Remembe that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

I've read these tips at least five or six times today. I know I'm going to do my best to follow as many as I can, and I challenge you to do the same. Until next time...