While
reading the fabulous book, “12 Rules for Life” by Jordan Petersen, I started
thinking about my own “rules for life”. Do I have a set of ideals that I live
by? Do I have a kind of philosophy that I aspire to? Well yes, I do.
Some
of the way I live my life is based around positivity, confidence and kindness
and some around self –preservation. I
believe self –preservation is important and not nearly as narcissistic as it
sounds. You cannot be any good to anyone else if you don’t look after yourself.
If
I summed up my way of life in short paragraphs it would look like this:
·
Walk
with confidence. The old adage of walking into a room like you own it serves me
well. If I feel and look confident I will come across better. I urge people to
try this because, even if you are having a bad day, it can lift your mood. I
have also taken on board Jordan Petersen’s “stand up straight with your
shoulders back”. This instils a sense of purpose to your stance and, again
makes you look more confident. ( Ladies, a little tip, it also makes your boobs
look better J)
·
Smile
at as many people as possible, you will feel so much better and so will they.
You never know, you may be the only person who has smiled at them today; you
may actually make their day. If nothing else it just makes the world a happier
place.
·
Take
time to do something for someone else, it really will make you feel good. This
is not a myth, it is a fact and I am speaking from experience. No one wants to
be that selfish, bitter person who is totally self-centred and thoughtless.
There are many of them about; I have come across a lot in my life.
·
Take
time for yourself. This is not selfish, it is just essential. Self-preservation
is important. If you are falling apart you will not be able to help anyone
else.
·
Look
after your health as much as you can. I know it does not stop you getting ill,
but just do what you can to help yourself.
·
Make
every second count. If you are resting then that is essential so still counts.
Don’t look back in twenty years and realise you attached yourself to the sofa
and did nothing.... you will regret it. If you want to go on a big adventure
then do it but even the small things are worth doing.
·
If
you have something you don’t want try giving it away to someone who needs it or
giving it to charity. Giving rather than selling something feels so much better
and it is a good way of recycling too. In my past I have had others help me
when I really needed something and I have also done the same. When I downsized three years ago I gave away so much stuff that I didn’t need. It felt fantastic
every time someone took something away that they needed.
·
Never
give up! However low you feel keep trying, keep pushing and always try really
hard to get on with life. I know this is not possible for everyone, but at
least try. If you know you gave it a go then, however small the achievement, you
will feel better about it.
·
Talk
to someone if you are not feeling your best, never isolate yourself even if it
is the only thing you really want to do. Pick up the phone and call or message
someone. It helps and you will be surprised how many good people are out there
·
Be
passionate about people, life and whatever makes you smile.
·
A
strange one but something I do..... Always check out the room. I like to know
where I am, get my bearings, and see who is there and what is going on. This is
also helpful with people watching.
·
Be
the best person you can possibly be, the very best version of you. Never be a
clone, you are not someone else; you are a unique person.
·
Be
open to new ideas and be adaptable. You may not think you can do something or
want to do something but you never know what the future holds. Trying new
things can be fun, it can be interesting and it can be scary. You never know
until you try and you never know what you might achieve.
·
Never
be anyone’s second choice. If you are not important to them, then walk
away..... Self preservation!
·
Be
organised, be efficient and be clean. You can’t live in mess and chaos. Get the
jobs done first and done efficiently and you will have so much time to enjoy life.
·
Read
the books you want to read, listen to the music you like and watch the films
that interest you. If something is popular but does not appeal to you that is
fine. We are not sheep or lemmings, we are individuals. Always take opinions on
board but don’t compromise your choices.
·
Finally,
be happy, be cheeky, have that glint in your eye and that smile on your lips. 🗢
