Day 120

11 Ways to Create Joy by Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Try One, Laugh, Be Silly and most of all be Joyful!

1. Be the wearer of a smile. It is contagious by nature. It will astound those who would rather see us angry. And it will brighten our day and multiply the joy for ourselves and others.

2. Spin the thoughts back to positive ones when they turn negative. [And that happens really often, especially some days, doesn’t it?!] Deciding to actively manage our thoughts may allow us to avoid many bothersome ones.

3. Instead of reacting to a slow server or clerk, taking a deep breath and enjoying the time to visit on the phone or watch the clouds in the sky can shift the whole experience for us.

4. Say something nice to a stranger. Comment on the nice weather, hold the door open and share a greeting, find something positive to say. It feels good to share a bit of joy this way.

5. Use laughter as the powerful tool it is. The writer e.e. cummings once wrote, “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” While I don’t agree that it is the most wasted, I do agree that with a healthy dose of laughter, any day is a better one and a happier one.

6. Sing. We can sing to ourselves, we can sing to the walls, in the car, to the birds, or hum along as we walk down the halls at school or in the nearby mall. Who cares if we get a few strange looks? Happy music is a great way of sharing joy. I think of the hymn that includes the great counsel to “Scatter sunshine all along the way…” and believe it is a great tool.

7. Speaking of music. Dieter Bonhoeffer once wrote, “Music…will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.” Music is a wonderful way of gathering and sharing joy! It infers that we choose carefully the music, of course, charting a path of “up” and “light” in order to feel that fountain of joy. But hey, I love to “rock out” every now and again to one of my favorite radio hits.

8. Act silly. Not obnoxious. Just silly. If we are not afraid to laugh at ourselves, we can let in more joy. This is hard for those of us who are more reserved and shy, I realize. Those of us who have to be ‘in the mood’ – I get that, too. For those of us who can go for it with gusto most of the time – you can perhaps teach and assist those who have a tougher time “going there”. I do know it makes for more fun, more smiles, and more joy!

9. Give something away. I read of a person who buys inexpensive umbrellas, and on a rainy day will choose a busy corner, pick a person who looks like they could really use it [the umbrella and the uplift], and gives them the umbrella. Just gives it as a little gift. Tell them that this is your way of sharing a little bit of joy. What a fun and creative idea!

10. Be a doer. When someone needs five cents in order to pay for their drink, their gas, or their burger, we can be the one to hand the few pennies to the cashier. It is not a big deal, but it shows kindliness and good will. It spreads joy.

11. Focus on righteousness. There really is no happiness in wickedness. The world’s morality, acceptable boundaries, and behaviors by many around us may be dark, ugly, or so very far away from the path of peace and happiness that comes from doing what is right. Regardless, we have our agency. We can do whatever it takes- with the Spirit’s loving help- to steer our course in the way of peace and goodness. There is incalculable joy therein.

Day 119

Final Part of Making the Kindness Cards

Diamonds - For Yourself

2 - Play sports with people you don't know in the park.

3 - Write a list of what you are grateful for RIGHT NOW and share with friends.

4 - Smile! And say hello to 5 strangers.

5 - Offer inspiring reading to someone in the room.

6 - Post a list of random kind acts in a public place.

7 - Learn a statement of gratitude in another language and share it.

8 - Leave flowers on the doorstep of someone you don't know and run!

9 - Use physical comedy or your wit to be funny and laugh with the group :)

10 - Pay for an unknown person's meal anonymously.

J - Give away something important to you.

Q - Hand out balloons to kids while skipping around in public!

K - Close your eyes and practice absolute silence for 15 minutes.

A - Give away one of your possessions RIGHT NOW.

I hope that you will try all or some of these. Pick a card a day or when the mood strikes your fancy. Or when your Karma needs a boosting. There is so much ugliness going on around us currently. Maybe it's time to spread some kindness to help turn things around.

Be kind to one another.

Day 118

Part 3 of the Kindness Cards

Spades: For Our World

2 - Research the most eco-friendly materials for clothing and personal care and share them with your friends.

3 - Clean up litter on your block.

4 - Send a thank you note to a person or business helping the world.

5 - Go to the nearest park and clean up as much as you can!

6 - Find 3 stories of earth-friendly people and share them.

7 - Call an animal shelter and donate at least one item they need.

8 - Stand outside a supermarket and give people reusable shopping bags.

9 - Hand out long-life light bulbs to those around you.

10 - Give an eco-friendly gift to at least 1 neighbor.

J - Plant a fruit tree where it will thrive.

Q - Green your food! Cook a locally grown, organic, or vegetarian meal for your friends.

K - Hug a tree in public, inspire another to do the same.

A - Make and post signs with tips to reduce water use.

Day 117

Kindness Deck of Cards

Hearts - For Those Unknown

2 - Hide spare change where a stranger will find it within the hour.

3 - Tell a public service employee how valuable they are.

4 - Play the role of doorman for 15 minutes.

5 - Strike up a conversation with someone who looks like they need a friend.

6 - Buy bottles of water and hand them to passers-bys with a smile.

7 - Pay for the person behind you in line.

8 - Acknowledge an act of kindness by someone else and thank them.

9 - Donate your favorite book to the nearest library with a note inside on why you love it!

10 - Strike up a conversation with an elderly person.

J - Knock on 10 doors and give them a snack-- reverse trick-or-treat!

Q - Create 5 cards with positive messages and leave them in a coffee shop for someone to discover.

K - Pick someone unknown around you, make them smile at any cost.

A - Hug the first 5 people you see!

Day 116

When you want to show kindness and you have run out of ideas the following is a cute way to give you inspiration. Please let me know if you try any of these ideas.

Make a kindness deck of cards and write these different ways to show kindness on them and when you are ready draw a card and fulfill the task.

Clubs - For People You Know.

2 - Leave a snack for an unsuspecting co-worker or friend.

3 - Give a friend your favorite inspirational book with a personal note attached.

4 - Connect two friends who had not previously met each other.

5 - Share an inspirational story from today's news.

6 - Make a lunch for someone and slip a joke in it.

7 - Write positive notes about your family or friends and share them.

8 - Help someone with a chore, unexpectedly.

9 - Do a 'dance of joy' for someone close to you.

10 - Using crayons, make your own card for someone you love.

J - Write a song, poem or a note for a loved one.

Q - Get in touch with an old friend who you'd like to reconnect with.

K - Write a thank you note to a teacher who inspired you.

A - Call a mentor to say thank you.

Day 115

Day 114

Happy Saturday. A little chilly and windy but its going to be a great day. I saw the interview of the Powerball winner and his girlfriend. They seem like very nice people. I was saddened to hear of Brett Michael's condition and am wishing him a speedy recovery. This guy has been through alot, but always seems to bounce back and land up on top.

Today I am going to start a Saturday series where I will feature my favorite places in Spokane.

Today I drove out to Log Cabin DryGoods. I learned about them at the Quilt Festival last fall. I finally decided to give them a look see. They are a little tricky to find. Just go east on Trent and turn left on Waterworks and then right on Union. They took over an old office building. The store is broken up in rooms and each room is filled with handmade goods and bolts of fabrics. I thought the quilted bags and purses were a little pricey, but, beautiful. I thought they would have a larger selection of fabrics. I did find and purchase a Hawaiian print in teals, browns and some yellow. I will make my first sun dress out of it.

The closest coffee stand when heading back towards town was Grand Finale on Trent where it splits into Trent in one direction and Mission in the other direction. She actually made me the best coffee I had all week.

Stopped at Walmart for a few household things. Saw an old friend, Jo, from Travelers. Sounds like not much has changed since I left.

Last stops of the day was the mailbox. My new cookbook came! I had checked it out from the library and liked it so much, I search Amazon for a like new-used copy and ordered it. The Best Quick Breads by Beth Hensperger. I had to make the Banana Nut Coffeecake when I got home.

Then to JC Penney. They had the polo shirts Michael likes at buy one and the second for 88 cents.

Then to Joann's - had to use that 50% off Penny Saver Facebook coupon. I bought some fusable interfacing and some lining material for the vest I'm going to make.

Last stop was to cash in my winning Lotto ticket and buy more Lotto, Powerball and Mega Millions tickets. Can't win if you don't play, they say. Wish me luck.

Day 113

Congratulations to the newest Powerball winner. I wish it could have been me, but, I hope this improves his life and only has happy days ahead of him.

We daydream alot about winning the lottery and what we would do if we did actually win.

First, we would fix everything that needs fixing on our house and give it to one of the kids or they did not want it, we would sell it.

With the house gone from our responsibilities, we would be free to go anywhere we want. I don't think I would want to buy property of any kind. We are both too old now to maintain land, house or property. So I would live in nice hotels with maid service and room service. That way you are not tied to a place for a long period of time.

If I could choose the cities I would want to stay awhile...The first place would be Key West, Florida.

Gulf breezes, warm sand between my toes, conch fritters and enough art galleries to wander through to give me inspiration. I'm one of those people that love thunder & lightning storms. We could go deep sea fishing, snorkeling and other water fun. Maybe rent space on a modern day pirate ship and sail away for awhile.

At night there are plenty of bars and restaurants to pick from. Sometimes in the cold winter of the northwest I pull up the webcams from Key West and watch people having fun wearing shorts while those gulf breezes are blowing in through the open doors and windows. I look out at the snow out my window and think, Damn, we should be there!

Day 112 Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. We can all help save the oceans by using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic shopping bags. Sure, its a small step - but it can make a big difference in the health of our oceans. Last week the gray whale that floated up onto the shore of western Washington had a stomach full of garbage.

Have doubts? Then dive in to a firsthand account from Conservatory Caribbean program director, Phil Kramer, about why plastics are so damaging to the ocean. Or, read how the Conservatory's Cara Byington had a crisis in the checkout line - after seeing the skeleton of a whale that died from eating plastics bags.

Such a simple thing.

Day 111

Wednesday Recap for the last week.

We paid our taxes. No refund like last year. We got it down as far as we could. We voted and dropped off our ballots for the EMS bond. So with our civic duty completed, we were ready to enjoy a 3 day weekend.

Saturday we went and both got manicures and pedicures. It was the first pedicure for both of us. We are now hooked and are trying to feenaggle enough each month to do it again.

Sunday we took a drive out to Post Falls to find a mythical barbeque restaurant. Never did find it, but, the weather was so beautiful it made the drive so much more enjoyable.

Monday we went out seeking coffee. The coffee stand we chose has a vacant lot next to it. A couple of vendors were set up, one selling those thick mink blankets and another selling vinyl cut outs for your car. After coffee we stopped at the vinyl cutouts. Found out the guy makes custom ones, so we both had lettering made saying "SHIH-TZU HAPPENS". I have to get my car washed before I can stick it on my car, but, for the last 2 days they have been predicting rain. If it doesn't rain today, I'm going to get my car washed and stick it to my back window.

New television show I'm now watching is Billy the Exterminator. I forgot how much fun living in Louisiana can be. Racoons in your attic and gators in your lake...and snakes. I think I'll stay up here in the Northwest for the time being. We have a few racoons, marmots and skunks and a occasional lost moose...but no snakes and no bugs.

Day 110

Kindness Suggestion Five

Offer Helping Hands

Do you ever see homeless people and feel overwhelmed by your inability to make a difference? Even if you cannot save them all, you can do alot with one small act. Buy a pair of gloves or shoes or dig up and old unused blanket and give them to someone living in the cold streets or to any organization that serves the homeless. Give to you local food bank. Donate your time and services. These organizations will have many suggestions on how you can help homeless and needy people in your own community.

Day 109

Kindness Suggestion Four

Compliment Someone.

There's usually an awkward silence when you're stuck in an elevator with a stranger. Instead of staring at the floor, find something you like about the other person amd compliment him/her on it. Not only will it make him/her feel good, it might kick off a conversation with a new friend.

Day 108

Kindness Suggestion Three:

Say Thank You

Think of all the people in your life whose faces and names you'll never know but who serve and protect you day after day. Send some prepackaged treats to your local police or fire department with a card letting them know how much you appreciate their service to the community.

Maybe take your turn at work and bring in a special coffee blend and some treats to share with your co-workers and boss to thenk them for being there everyday.

Or just send a handwritten special thank you for anyone who helped you along the way or showed you kindness.

Day 107

Kindness - Suggestion Two

Put someone else first. If you get to the grocery store check out line at the same time as someone else, you can decide to smile and wave them though first. Or, when stuck in traffic and the last thing you want to do is let a car get in front of you, just remember that somebody else had to let you in, and repay the favor to the next person!

Day 106

People with the best intentions sometimes get overwhelmed by the idea of charity. They think they need a great deal of time or money or courage to make a real difference in the world. But you don't have to be a philanthropist to help. By practicing random acts of kindness, you can help every day with small important acts of encouragement and generosity.

Kindness Suggestion One

Write a letter to a stranger. It only takes a few minutes to write, but a letter can make someone else's day, or even their week. Think of all the people who are lonely, isolated or just in need of cheering up: soldiers fighting overseas, kids in juvenile detention centers or elderly people in nursing homes. Do a simple search online and you'll find services that will provide you with a list of people who would love to hear from you.

Day 105

Things I must work on!!

1. Do not interrupt

2. Take turns

3. Do not take advantage of people who are down.

4. Never gloat in victory.

5. Never be sullen in defeat.

6. Be fair.

7. Have integrity.

8. Find role models.

9. Be the person your dog believes you are.

10. Be kind.

Day 104

Wednesday Weekly Update

I have decided to do a personal update entry every Wednesday.

This last week we took our little dog to the vet only to find out he is diabetic. Two shots a day. But what a change in him after just the first short. No more gulping water like there was no more tomorrow. No more peeing in the most unappealing places. He lost 2 lbs since his last visit. The new diet dog food must be doing its trick. But now he can only have cheerios for treats. No processed food or treats for my boy.

Saturday afternoon I went to Lorna's. It is always great seeing and spending time with her. She showed me the proper way to crimp. We also took a short trip to Joann's and bought crim beads and covers. I am confident now to start making wire necklaces and bracelets.

Paying alot of the small hospital bills for both Michael and myself. I wish they would come in one bill instead of dribbling in for this service and that lab. The big one for the hospital stay will need to be paid in payments. This is why we need health insurance reform!

We both got hooked on a new show, Justified. It is so good. I guess because we lived back in Kentucky, where the show takes place, we feel a kin to it. I'm just saying they are not making up how backwoods and awful some of those people are. I'm going to show how much of a dork I am when I say I am so sad that tonight is the series finale of Ugly Betty. Bummer! But there are so many great new shows coming on. We still have from Netflix Departed and the first 2 discs of Season 1 of Sons of Anarchy to watch.

Seems the trees have blossomed all over town in the last few days. The weather is getting warmer and this will be the first weekend we will feel like a barbeque. Spring has finally arrived.

Day 103

Organize your life - Encompasses things that are planned and ones that are not. You can sort through and declutter your life with the things you know about.

-Organize Your Bills - Put them into weekly folders so you can create a budget or put them on auto pay on your computer.

-Organize Your Schedule - Keep a calendar, either in paper format or electronic, so you know what is coming up that day, week, etc. Use this to schedule your 'mental health' time.

-Organize Your Meals - Know what you plan to serve/eat each day of the next week. Use your calendar to know what events to plan around and who will be home to eat.

-Take time to look at yourself and your lifestyle. What does not need to be done or is not an emergency? Sort out your daily activities and this will help bring about changes that enrich your life in the future.

When you declutter your life you see what is important and can focus on those people and things.

This has been an interesting series. I found these steps on Howto.com - Some I can use some and some don't apply to me. But I will definitely use the ones to help improve me and my life.

Day 102

Day 101

Organize Your Mind

Your mind is full of worries, thoughts of what is happening and what is going to happen, work kids, bills, friends, social life, and on and on. Time to declutter the mind.

-Take a mental health vacation - Take some time for yourself each day to relax with a good book or CD, a bath with scented candles, time alone in the garage doing something you want at the workbench, etc.

-Everyone needs some time to do what they enjoy. Can your family life be changed to accomodate 'down time' for everyone in the house? One person could be surfing the web while others are watching their favorite show or reading.

-Fit some private time into your family's daily or weekly schedule and everyone will feel refreshed and ready to take on the next sports season, project at work, and the rest of your busy schedule.

Day 100

Organize Your Car

Bringing home a new car is wonderful because it looks and smells clean. Look at your vehicle now. Is it still clean and does it smell good? Chances are the answer is 'no' to both. Time to declutter.

-Park your car where all the doors can be open so you have full access.

-Turn on the radio/stereo and turn up your favorite song or CD.

-Start with the trunk. This is where the items are buried that you just flung in. These items can be thrown out, cleaned and put where the belong, or be given back to the proper owner.

-The back seat - When you are busy items tend to be placed (or thrown) into the back seat to get them out of the way. It may be a mystery what all the items are now, especially when it comes to food covered with some spilled liquid, but dispose of all items properly.

-The front seat - The ash tray and garbage bag need to be emptied, go through and glove box or extra storage area to take out what is not needed, and remove the extra cd's, dvds, or other media and bring it back into your residence.

-Clean everything - Take the floor mats out to vacuum or wash, use the appropriate armour all to clean seats, dashboard, inside the doors, steering wheel, etc. Use a window cleaner to wipe down the insides of all windows and anything else that has a shiney finish.

-Finish with a car wash and wax and an air cleaner with the scent of a new car or whatever is your favorite.

Now it is time to take it for a drive and enjoy the clean look and smell again.

Now that it is spring this will be a great Saturday morning project for Jiffy and Spendy (our cars).

Day 99

Organize Your Life - Home

Start with your closet. This is where you are storing items you will 'use later'. Make three piles to make the sorting quicker and less overwhelming. Look at each item for a short time and decide quickly which pile it should go into.

Pile One - 'I have not looked at this for one year' pile. If you have not used the items for one year or more or you forgot you had it then you probably do not need to keep it around. These are great items to give to charity for someone else. There is nothing wrong with it and will be useful for someone else.

Pile Two - 'This is just garbage' pile. If you have kept something around long enough to show its age and has become useless to have. The electric can opener that does not pierce the can, a vacuum so old they do not sell the bags for it anymore, or a piece of clothing you were going to mend but you realize the tear is too big to mess with.

Pile Three - 'I was wondering where that was pile'. These are items that you still use. This pile will need to be sorted out and the items placed where they belong so you can use them.

When your closets are clean, don't use them to store your 'keep for another day' items. Now it is time to move to your drawers, cabinets or anywhere else you may be storing "stuff". This is a first step in how to declutter and home organization.

This will be on-going spring project. Maybe I can tackle a closet a weekend. I will update you with the progress made.

Day 98

Step 6

Be Your Own Best Friend

You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you. When you start the process of self improvement you will begin to notice more self confidence and you will like what you see when you look in the mirror and think about yourself. Now you can use yourself as an example of a transformed, more disciplined, and self improved to others. Self improvement will make you a better person and this will inspire other people, and the rest of the world will follow.

This seems to be a running theme through alot of these self improvement courses. There must be some truth to it. Even my Mom would say, "If you don't like yourself, how is anybody else going to like you?"

Such a long road to go before becomming this better person that I want to be.

Day 97

Step 5

See Yourself From Another Viewpoint

Another tactic that will lead to self improvement is bouncing things off someone who will listen to you and give you contructive criticism. Ask specific questions like "Do you think I am ill-mannered?", "Do I always sound so arguementative?", "Do I talk to loud?", "Does my breath smell?", "Do I ever bore you when were together?". Listen to their response, accept it as constructive input, do not give excuses why you are or act that way, and actually write it down. This is a great list of how you are now and gives you the opportunity to decide if that is okay or if you want to change. And in return, your friend may want to ask you some pointed questions about themselves. This may be a difficult process of self improvement but both you and your friend will come out respecting each other even more.

I really do not have a friend here that would be that honest, except Michael. But I can try. I know the things I want to work on to improve, but, I guess, I could be open to new ones also.

Day 96

Step 4

How To Change Habit

Habits are formed by doing somethingover and over at least 12 times. After that point the action is set and the habit is formed. The best way to create new habits, or modify an old habit, is to reward yourself. When you take smaller bites and wait to speak until you swallow, take yourself out to eat with friends. They don't need to know why but they will notice a difference in you. When you stop procrastinating and begin to get that large (or small) project don take a quick break and treat yourself with something. Make sure you get back to your prject right away.

Habit formation is just another synonym for character development. Changing habits will change how you see yourself. Rewarding yourself is important because you are worth it.

I kind of do this now. When at work after I tackle a difficult or tedious project I reward myself by taking a few minutes to cruise Facebook to see what everyone is up to. At home, when I finish something I have been putting off I reward myself with watching a recorded television show.

How do you reward yourself when breaking the habit of being too chatty or interrupting conversations? I will have to think about those.

Day 95

Step 3

Watch Yourself Closely For Habits.

Pick a day or two to really focus in on the way you present yourself. Do you have bad habits that may annoy others? These may include interrupting during a conversation, eating with your mouth open, talk with your mouth full, bite your fingernails, proscrastinate etc., etc., etc. Bad habits are behaviors that do not benefit your life. Write them down. Look at the list. Now act to change those habits.

Do I procrastinate? Yes. Do I bite my fingernails? Yes, when I'm nervous or worried. Okay, that means most of the time.

I chatter way too much. I do interrupt in conversations, but, I don't mean to. I've been working on that. I'm working on listening more.

My other bad habit is saying I will be somewhere or go somewhere and later regret and make excuses to bow out. I have come to know I am not a "goer". So now I'm just saying no. That way I'm eliminating the part where I have to get out of going somewhere and the guilt that goes with it.

Day 94

Sunshine abounds this Sunday morning.

Continuing the improvement steps.

Step 2

Accept Who You Are.

When you are stuck in that envelope you may think yourself as second-rate person. Do not focus on 'I wish I had', or 'I wish I had' scenarios. Stop the negative thoughts and scenarios and replace them with accepting who you are.

Accepting your true self is the first step to self improvement.

I think we all get stuck with the 'should of, would of, could of' thoughts. I will try and stop thinking back and wondering if I had just done this or that life would have turned out so differently. Like I said yesterday life hasn't turned out half bad, but, I want to improve the things I can make better and accept what I cannot change.

Day 93

On my journey of improving myself and life around me, I have found some more great steps on the internet.

Step 1

Don't Compare Yourself to Others

When you see other people and how sure they are of themselves or how much "stuff" they have remember it is all a grand illusion. Things are not always as they look so do not compare yourself to others. Anyways, they are probably looking at you, with envy, wishing they were you. You need to compare yourself with who you want to be and take action to improve yourself.

I do get a little envious when others make more money than I do, are smarter than me and when they take real vacations. But I have only myself to blame because I spent most of my life bouncing around and traveling. I look back and I know I would never have lived any other way.

I do have a great job and make an above average wage, so no complaints there. We have 2 nice cars and everything I could ever want. I have a husband who loves me and is faithful. We bought a house a few years ago. I wish sometimes we would have stayed renters. I hate the responsibilities and expense of owning a house.

I would like to learn more. I may even go back and take a few classes. I would love to master my craft of making jewelry. Really learn bending wire and buying a kiln and make my own pendants. I think this will be my first goal of becomming who I want to be.

Day 92

I just finished reading the book, "Rescue Ink, How 10 Guys Saved Countless Dogs and Cats, 12 Horses, 5 Pigs, 1 Duck and a few Turtles." I love these guys. Big, strong, tattooed, bad boys with hearts of gold when it comes to saving animals. I love their television show that airs on National Geographic Channel.

Their motto:

More than 1700 Pounds of Muscle

Over 80 Tattoos

One Unlikely Mission: To rescue Helpless, Abandoned and Abused Animals.

They have a list of what we as regular people can do to save animals.

Volunteer At Your Local Shelter

Spending even an hour a week walking or training shelter dogs can have a powerful ripple effect. Well-excercised dogs are less likely to develop neurotic habits such as tail-chasing or spinning, which can happen in dogs that are kenneled for too long. Also, because calm, obedient dogs are more adoptable, spending time teaching a dog basic manners can literally mean the difference between a new home or the unthinkable.

Donate To Your Shelter

Money isn't the only thing shelters need. Good quality food, toys, beds, treats, towels for bathtime and warm blankets are all apreciated by shelter cats and dogs. If your beloved pet has recently passed away, donating their toys and possessions to a shelter is a great way of honoring their memory.

Day 91

Happy April Fool's Day. I hope any pranks pulled on you are harmless.

Rule 8

Take care of your body: Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about excercise. What kind of excercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

This is one of the most important rules for me. Getting older has really affected my health. Taking Avandia was the worst mistake I have made concerning my health. It put my life in jeopardy. It all comes down to diet and excercise.

Rule 9

Mirror work: Look into your own eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say "I love you, I really love you!"

I have forgiven my parents. We don't come with instructions and they did their best. All these rules comes down to taking better care of yourself, your attitude and outlook on life. It will take practice, practice and more practice.

Rule 10

LOVE YOURSELF - DO IT NOW! Don't wait until you get well or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin NOW - do the best you can.

That's all you can do - is the best you can.