Living the positives

Getting ready for the exciting opportunity for another year on our planet? Thinking about your New Year's resolutions? Looking for a touch of inspiration?

1.) Be comfortable with yourself, accept yourself. There will always be somebody richer or prettier than you. Also, there will always be things that you are good at which you can be proud, and simultaneously somebody who is better at doing things than you. That is just the way it is.

2.) Appreciate what you have and be careful of comparing yourself with others. Just keep developing your skills, advancing your education (even if not in a school setting), and maintaining a positive attitude.

3.) See the positives in every situation. When a person does not feel good, it is very easy for them to see the flaws of everyone they know --and the negative of every situation.

So before you criticize anything, take a thorough look at your own physical and mental health. Then focus on the good and give the people around you support and compliments on the good things they do. Those things you water will grow!

4.) Let go of your need to control others. You can control your attitudes and actions of your life, but if you expect this world to go perfectly, you are definitely going to be frustrated, angry, and disappointed.

So we plan, we build --yet we do so in our imperfect reality.

5.) Although at times we need strong leadership, teamsmanship, and consensus should be tried first both at home and at work.

6.) Drop the resentment within. If you're always thinking about the past and angry about something, it's like putting a bunch of mud on your life today. If there is a lesson from the past that can help you, then go for that. Your brain will automatically let go of the negative parts of your past when you eat good food, exercise, and hang out with positive people.

The more oxygen you get into your body the happier you will be! The body is made to move. Many foods you can cook with water (steaming) and use no oil at all, keeping your internal plumbing cleaner.

7.) Live in the moment more. Avoid overanalyzing. How can you stop over-worrying about the future? If you have a master plan (and a couple backup plans) you won't need to worry so much.

It is wise to prepare for the worst while expecting the best. So have a med kit ready, a savings account, and see an attorney when needed. Then relax.

8.) If you feel trapped or stuck, usually you need more good information about your health, career, etc. Don't be too proud to ask for help. Be careful in believing sensationalistic garbage on the internet.

9.) Dreams are not enough. They must be backed up with effort. A life is empty if you do not act and make decisions.

10.) Be open to failure. Remember Thomas Edison making hundreds of light bulbs that didn't work.

I don't think there's anybody on the planet that hasn't made a mistake. (I've made a thousand so far!) Try to see your lesson, then move on.

11.) Sometimes you need patience while waiting for a dream to manifest from your efforts. Work on other things in the meantime.

12.) Intentionally fight for meaning and purpose in life.

First, we have our high ideals. We do our best to live them ourselves, and continually work to make the planet better for its people, animals, and our entire ecosystem. Our children learn more from our example than our lectures.

13) Embrace the reality of life. Have a plan. Don't let your life flow mindlessly by. When you are eighty, nobody, including yourself, is going to be proud of you if you spent 40 years playing video games or half drunk!

14.) The past cannot change and is dead; our future is unknown, unborn. The present is when you're alive. Act now to fulfill your dreams and goals.

No job, no school? Make a list of everything you want to learn and find the free websites to spend your time well. Khan Academy is a good start.

15.) Join organizations. Work with teams of people with high ideals who respect people of all faiths and all nationalities, who cherish our planet and the miracles of life.

16.) We tell each other "Happy New Years!" because that sets us up to feel positive. Then we can turn that positive energy into creating activities and plans.

Happy New Years!