Happy Happy New Year

Last night I dreamt of my beautiful Lucy girl. In my dream, she was sleek and lithe, leaping in the air and running like the wind. No gray hair or cloudy eyes. A ballerina, an athlete. I miss her so much. I woke up in tears but happy to have seen her as she once was. I wish I could see my Dad that way. I've only had one dream where he wasn't wearing the ugly mangle of Alzheimer's. I trust I'll see more of the real him in my dreams soon. 2015 was a year of loss for me. My husband got married. My daddy died. I lost my Lucy. Rose. Now we start 2016. A time for new beginnings, for moving out of the past. I will turn 60 this year! So, let the good times roll. I for one plan to make it a stellar year!  Now, let's review shall we?

words to live by

still apropos in 2016

HANDBOOK 

Health:

1.        Drink plenty of water.

2.        Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess and dinner  like a beggar.

3.        Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less  food that is manufactured in plants.

4.        Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5.        Make time to meditate.

6.        Play more games.

7.        Read more books than you did in 2015.

8.        Be in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.        Sleep for 7 hours.

10.      Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.       Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12.      Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13.      Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14.      Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.      Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16.      Dream more while you are awake.

17.      Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18.      Forget issues of the past. That will ruin your present        happiness.

19.      Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20.     Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 

21.      No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.     Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23.     Smile and laugh more.

Society:

24.     Call your family often.

25.     Each day give something good to others.

26.     Forgive everyone for everything. 

27.     Try to make at least three people smile each day.

28.     What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.     Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your

          friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

30.     Do the right thing!

31.     Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32.     However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

33.     No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34.     The best is yet to come.