One More List to Start 2009

I really don't have a whole lot to say, so I'm going to share with you all something that my mom sent to me to help kick off 2009:


TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE - 2009

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 least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.


3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'


4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.


5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, and almonds.


6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.


7. 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.


8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.


9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.


14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'


17. Forgive everyone for everything.


18. What other people think of you is none of your business.


19. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


20. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.


21. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


22. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

And, yes, I deleted a couple from the list so that I could make it a list of 22 for those special people out there, and you know who you are!!

To Do Lists

I just read a blog regarding a list of 30 things to do before turning 30 (see Skinner Family News) and it sorta made me cringe. I am far, far past 30 so it is too late to do that list. So I'm going to shoot for a list of 45 things to do before turning 45.

Any recommendations on where I should start to create my list. I don't want it to be 45 things to be done in the next 5 years, because that would just be way too much, but I do want to challenge myself.

I guess I'll then need to come up with a project plan with sub-tasks and dependencies, etc. to make all of this happen.....

Maybe I should look more long term and go for a list of 60 things to do before 60. Should I make another list at 45 to be "5 more things to do before 50", and then so on?

Perhaps the first thing I should put on my list is "Have voices in your head agree on the parameters of the list and the rules around creating the list..."