Birthday gift time! Mine is just around the corner, and I bet you can figure out which one I am hitting this year! ;) I didn't come up with all of these, but I think all are true. Maybe you'll get some inspiration for action reading through.
All my best to you!
xo, s
49 Things
1. Have a firm handshake. 2. Look people in the eye. 3. Sing in the shower. 4. Make a deliberate decision to appreciate at least 3 things every day. At the end of the day, consider those three things. Every day, this will build your gratitude; every day, too, it will get easier and easier to find more to appreciate. 5. A goal is not always something meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something at which to aim. 6. Keep secrets. And, think twice before burdening a friend with a secret. 7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day. 8. Always accept an outstretched hand. 9. Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference. 10. Life is hard, yes. But know this: so far, your success rate for getting through the day has been 100%. 11. Pick a day and stay off devices. Nothing is so urgent that you can’t gift yourself 8 hours of tech-free moments. Encourage your family and loved ones to do the same. 12. Marry only for love. And, choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness and misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out. 14. Lend only those books you never care to see again. 15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have. 16. When playing games with children, let them win. But make them really work hard for that win. 17. Give people a second chance, but not a third. 18. Be romantic. 19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems. 21. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. The phone is there for our convenience, not the caller’s. 22. Be a good loser. Be a good winner. Be a good game player. 23. Everyone’s body is beautiful, but a much more liberating realization is that, also, everyone’s body is disgusting.
24. Sometimes you have to accept the fact that life has changed again, that things will never go back to how they used to be, and that this ending you’re thinking about is really a new beginning. 25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go. 26. Do not settle for less. If you haven't found it, keep looking. 27. Trust the journey of your life, and you will gradually outgrow what you thought you couldn’t live without, and fall in love with what you didn’t even know you wanted. 28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose. 29. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river. 30. Remember, peace does not mean being in a place where there is no chaos, trouble, or hard realities to deal with. Peace means being in the midst of all those things and still remain mentally, emotionally, and physically centered. 31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did. 32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. 33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you. 34. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you. 35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in the hospital; you only need to stay a few minutes. 36. Begin each day with some of your favorite music. 37. Once in a while, take the scenic route. 38. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, ‘Someone who thinks you’re terrific.’ 39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice. 40. You will never get any more out of life than you expect. 41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job. 42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later. 43. Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you. 44. Become someone’s hero. 45. Allow yourself to be happy before you 'succeed'. 46. Be the friend who makes a decisive call when everyone else is waffling about what to eat. 47. Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home. Pick one specific thing you appreciate, and tell your host. 48. Wave at the children on a school bus.
49. Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.