A Handbook for 2010

I'm still feeling under the weather, so how handy that I got this in an email from a friend this week. On all the loops people are talking about resolutions, and this seems like a great guideline to use. Take what you need from it, and have a great year!

HANDBOOK 2010

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 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
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 or 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 partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
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 w/ 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. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. 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.

Miniature Golf, Anyone?

Well the birthday celebrations are almost over--dinner last Thursday, and a cake last night, and got a phone call yesterday that said one more gift and a special activity coming...

Maybe we'll go play miniature golf--I love miniature golf. Found out this summer when my parents came to visit that I am really, really into it. I've always enjoyed it, but this summer I was intense about it, made it a priority to go and play. When I feel that intensely about something, I always take time out to stop and wonder why.

I like the precision. I like the planning. I like the way you have to look ahead and examine the possibilities. I like how if you let someone else go first, you can see what not to do :) I like the way you have to sail past or around, or use the obstacles placed in your path to your advantage. I like the way you have to keep your eye on your goal to make the shot.

I like beating par, and even better, getting it right in one shot.

I like it because it's a metaphor for Life :).