A dear friend passed this on to me and I tweaked it just a bit to reflect my thoughts and wanted to pass it along.  Enjoy!

Life has enough obstacles and challenges by itself that we don’t have to make it harder by adding a bad attitude or a stupid decision (ok, I know that SOMETIMES we are going to do that just because we’re human!) BUT, I believe we really can make it easier on ourselves. We can prepare ourselves for a successful day, a wonderful life, by setting up patterns and habits that support the life we want!  It can be as simple as changing some of the basic decisions we make and actions  we do everyday .   (My personal belief is that we need to get rid of strife – in all forms – and focus on embracing each moment, and BTW, I have found this to be a lifelong challenge!)  Here are 30 suggestions to help you keep the anxiety and complexity OUT and the simplicity and peace IN your life.  Don’t laugh, some of these are simple, but trust me, they carry amazing value!

1. Drink more water

2. Take deeper breaths

3. Respect your feelings, assess what you are truly feeling and why, then respond accordingly

4. Let go of the past

5. Stop spending so much money in hopes that it will bring more happiness

6. Depend upon yourself to discover happiness, not others

7. Move your body – walk, run, take a zumba class – move your most precious gift – a healthy body

8. Involve yourself in relationships that are uplifting, healthy and respectful

9. Stop the competition mindset and instead focus on discovering and embracing YOUR strengths

10. Give yourself at least 30 minutes a day to just be by yourself

11. Care about someone or something (pet, charity, etc) as much as you care about your own life

12. Clean up after yourself  – as you go

13. Never go to bed mad, especially at a loved one

14. Read more

15. Cook more meals at home

16. Let go of jealousy and instead recognize and foster your own gifts

17. Say less, listen more

18. Stop being involved in gossip – whether sharing or receiving

19. Change your oil every 3 months and rotate your tires

20. Keep your standards high instead of lowering them to be accepted

21. Never leave a dirty kitchen, clean it up after each use

22. Tell the truth – good heavens just be honest!

23. Send thank you cards

24. Be true to your word

25. Don’t take things personal, everyone comes from their own perspective, their own dream of their life, it has nothing to do with you

26. Limit your alcohol

27. Let go of perfection, and instead simply DO YOUR BEST

28. Take responsibility for yourself – stop blaming others

29. Don’t assume anything, if you don’t know, ASK!

30. Accept that you will have to work hard to attain what you desire and then get busy

I know there are many other habits that you could come up with that have helped you to overcome and secure more happiness and an inner joy and peace, so why don’t you share them with us!!

Here are a few love poems I have written while pining for love, recovering from a broken heart, or awakened by my muse in the midst of love’s good times – hopefully there will be something you can relate to!  Love and Peace and Happy Valentine’s Day! Sandy

UNANNOUNCED
Love doesn’t come unannounced
No, this time it comes with trumpets sounding in the heart
Heralding the entrance of royalty
I want to run into the arms of my lover – he will hold me
Enraptured by his kisses he speaks soft
Burning me with a passion long forgotten

*****
ONE DUMB LIZZY
One gazes on me while another looks away
Where’s your desire?
What do you say?
And you, why do you say so much?
Are you for real?
I think you should shut-up
My head hurts and I feel dizzy -
One Don Juan and one dumb lizzy!

*****

HOW LONG
I didn’t want to let go – still really don’t – but how long
Do we play with hearts before they turn to blood?
Just to hear your voice makes me cry
To think of how i would have died
To hear you say you needed -
Wanted -
Cherished -
My love
What could be so hard for your girl?

I will miss you.

*****

Inescapable Destiny

By Scott Mitchell

A nomadic voyage, a heart’s quest
Quiet and alone were an attractive option
But your music makes me dance
Your beauty induced a trance
What do I have to offer, but this heart
I could swim the sea to you
I can drown
or take this love to my last breath

The warmth while holding you, oh….
creates an infinite confirmation
My moist eyes looking into yours are not sad,
no…
I’m jubilant and thankful
You held resilient to your promise
and gave all that you are
I was lost and you restored me

My caramel coated aspirations live
in memories
Dark brown eyes and a body of firm silk
my hands and soul are deprived of you
My heart’s demise begins one minute apart
A day or more is torture lancing outward
through my flesh
Inspirations defeat all lucidity
I need you

Every future thought, you are there
Your motivated smile is a victory for me
and I can smile
My endless home is now wherever you are

Flying to Chicago

I love the feeling of taking off

Kinda helpless

You just let go of all control

To feel the speed in your muscles

And the roar of the engine in your head

All that force

Gently tacks you to the back of your seat

You simply have to submit

To the gravity upon your body

Not to worry

You don’t do anything – just let go

To another’s control

Trusting

Feeling everything in your body

Knowing there is nothin you can do

But just be

Oh dear
you talk about love
but do you even know the meaning?
Do you know what it is to connect so totally to someone else
that you become irrelevant?

Thank you for love that has brought me unspeakable joy
Thank you joy for transforming my life with just a simple change in attitude
Thank you  change of attitude for helping me remap my own feelings so that I experience honesty and awareness in my life today
Thank you today for giving me NOW, the moment I live, the opportunity to love, learn, explore, play and work, and for every imaginable opportunity that life holds
Thank you opportunity, thank you for always being there
Your voice is often soft and quiet, and many times you are not in the light where I can see you, but if I pay attention, you are always there!

Luminarie laid out like a Rosary
Winding like a ribbon
Binding the girl
to his heart
flowing
tasseling along Aphrodite’s heels
reeling like a circus wheel

Photo found at: razzmatazzblog.blogspot.com

The voice of the chipmunk went to someone else. The lover announced he was marrying another. The alien wasn’t worth fighting for. But the sun is out, and she’s still an actress.

NO is ok with me, just don’t tell me NO slow!

My Business coach, Michael Tannery of Tannery Wealth Advisors, said this to me recently and I couldn’t let it go!  How often have you been involved in a project, job, or relationship that wasted more time than you really had all because someone didn’t tell you no up front.  Think about it!