1. Laugh!

Keep life in perspective. Find ways to bring joy into your life. Place a favorite photograph of you and friends or loved ones laughing where you can easily see it on your desk. Spend time with people who make you smile rather than frown.

2. Listen to Music

Music can indeed soothe the savage beast. I just discovered a fantastic folk/rock singer Sarah Hickman. Check out her website at http://www.sarahickman.com Her song “It’s alright, It’s OK” was written for her baby when she had the colic. But it sure works for me whenever I have a stressful day. And her song “We Are Each Other’s Angels” is a good lesson for us all. Turn off the news and turn on the tunes!

3. Keep the Faith

Now more than ever it is important to recognize and acknowledge what is important to you, what you cannot live without. My guess is that regardless of religion or culture, your own personal faith may be most important. Faith is abandoning the known and embracing the unknown. Faith and fear are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Once you have stopped to face your fears, your faith springs forth like a geyser.

4. Solitude.

If you are faced with a situation or problem that is confusing or seemingly impossible to solve, take time to separate the outside voices or “yammering” and be still to your own wisdom. Be true to yourself and your own voice within. Listen to trusted friends/mentors but in the end listen to your own voice and trust that only you know what is best for you.

5. Have the courage to say “I love you” and mean it.

Life is short, don’t waste it thinking “My parents, friends, siblings, children, and significant others know I love them, so it’s not necessary to say the words.” It IS necessary to say the words. Too many people have regrets of “if only I had.” Look into the eyes of someone important to you and say “I love you.” The gift you give and the gift you receive will be immeasurable.

6. Walk.

Walking will tone muscles, increase the oxygen to your lungs and it will clear your mind. Ten minutes is all you need to make a difference.

7. Don’t forget to breathe.

So often we are so busy we don’t take time for deep cleansing breaths to refresh our body and mind. Here is a 10 second exercise on breathing and relaxing from the internationally recognized Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hann (www.parallax.org):

• Breathing in, my body is relaxed.
• Breathing out, I smile.
• Breathing in, I am in the present moment.
• Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.