List To Live By from Marc and Angel

List To Live By
http://www.marcandangel.com/2006/11/11/a-list-to-live-by/


Okay, this list isn’ perfect. Some of these bullet points may be a little cheesy, and there are a few too many “God” comments. However, you caught me a little drunk on a friday night, because right now I think this is a fairly decent list to live by.

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. Its OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14 If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years will it matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family will.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
The author is unknown.

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2009/03/how-to-change-your-life-in-30-seconds.html
I'm sure you can find thirty seconds somewhere in your day, or better still, once every hour to make small, yet frequent positive changes to your life.

Here are some ideas.; take them or leave them. The point is that major change doesn't always have to take major effort or major amounts of time.


Start a 30 second savings habit
All it takes is 30 seconds to grab some cash and deposit a coin or note into your daily savings jar in the kitchen. I have a little pink pig which I feed happily each day in under 30 seconds.


Reduce your electricity bill
30 seconds is all it takes to walk over to the wall, bend down and turn all your electrical appliances off at the wall that are not being used. After one month, my kids are now experts at this new money saving habit.

Lose the frown
All it takes is less than 30 seconds to turn a frown into a smile. A smile literally relaxes hundreds of muscles and releases pockets of stress and tension held in your face. Feel your face now for any unnecessary squinting, frowning, or tight muscles.


Start a 30 second clutter clearing session
Walk to a cluttered draw/cupboard and spend a huge thirty seconds grabbing one thing that you no longer need and throw it out. No fuss and no stress. Allow thirty seconds each day to clear at least one thing from your chosen draw/cupboard. The beauty of 30 seconds is that you haven't got any time to have a discussion or argument with yourself. If in doubt, throw it out.


Take a chill pill
How often do you hold your breath and suck in the stress. Spend longer on your exhale to support your body in releasing built up stress and tension. Ten seconds on the inhale and twenty seconds on the exhale is a good formula for inviting space into your body and creating distance between you and your worries.


Get unstuck
Always keep a copy of your favorite inspirational book close by. Open randomly and read a few paragraphs to bring insight, to your current situation. I often pick up a book when my mind is going around in circles to regroup/refocus an unproductive mind. One of my favorites is The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer. No matter what page I read, it always seems to put me back on track again.


Repeat a mantra
When confusion hits, step back, take a breather, and spend a valuable thirty seconds calming those erratic thoughts with a sanity saving mantra. My favorite "I trust" allows me to "let go" and relax into the situation.


The 30 second detox
Did you know that 70% of waste is eliminated via your lungs? Improve the efficiency of your lungs by breathing deeply into your lower abdomen. Place your hands on your belly and feel it rise and fall with each breath cycle. A thirty second detox every hour will do wonders for your health.


Stay hydrated
Your brain needs water to think clearly. It's the first place in the body to lose water. Get into the habit of sipping on water for thirty seconds every hour.


Do nothing for 30 seconds
Put some space between you and your hectic schedule. Treat yourself to regular 30 second breaks and give your body an opportunity to re-balance itself. Close your eyes, cup the palm of your hands over your ears and listen to the blissful sounds of the ocean playing inside your head.


Cancel a complaining thought
Each time you catch yourself complaining, spend thirty seconds focusing on the opposite and increase your ratio between helpful and unhelpful thoughts.

Take a 30 second exercise break
Stand up, roll your shoulders, stretch or try some wall push ups. Better still keep two cans of food beside your computer. When reading an article, grab a can in each hand and lift up to your shoulders and back down again, repeat as if lifting weights.

Adjust the speed of your day
Take some time out and notice if your mind is racing, your breathing shallow or your body feels rushed and uptight. Simply by taking thirty seconds to observe your body, you can slow down your thoughts, your breath and the speed of your day.You might even realize that your body is hungry, thirsty or simply needs some fresh air.

Turn off the TV
Value your time. All it takes is 30 seconds to get up off your seat and turn the TV off. Do something meaningful like talk to your family or connect to nature by talking a walk.

Eat mindfully
Take thirty seconds before you eat your meal to make sure you are settled, present and ready to smell, taste, eat and enjoy your food consciously. Breathe in "I am calm" Breathe out "I smile" Repeat five times.
What do you think? Can small decisions make major changes?

Written on 3/19/2009 by Carole Fogarty. Carole is the Editor of the Rejuvenation Lounge, a blog focused on sharing ways of living a relaxed lifestyle.