Everyone is producing their rules for life these days. Each set of prescriptions provides guidance and direction to one group of people, while generating major outrage and excoriation from others. I don’t need to mention any names here. Anyway, these are my rules for life. You may find some of them useful, some of them difficult to follow, others utterly pointless and bizarre. Take what you want from them, or ignore them altogether. Your comments and feedback are welcome, within reason.
1. GET UP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY MORNING
The most productive days are the most organised ones. If you get up at the same time each morning you’re getting into a good habit. Establishing a routine will allow you to plan your days more effectively,
2. GO TO BED AT THE SAME TIME EVERY NIGHT
This point logically follows on from the first one, and for the same reason.
3. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
There’s no point following the first two points if you don’t schedule enough slumber in between. Aim for eight hours a night, and don’t settle for less that seven. Those who try and get by on less will feel the effects.
4. EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST EVERYDAY
There is some dispute about whether it’s the most important meal of the day, but a good bowl of porridge in the morning, augmented with fruit, nuts, seeds or whatever, is more likely than not to set you up for a good day.
5. MAKE YOUR BED AND DO THE WASH UP A.S.A.P.
Life is made up of a series of small tasks. Do them when they arise and don’t delay as then they build up. Don’t put off until later what you could do immediately. Make your bed in the morning, do the wash up after each meal. If something needs to be done immediately and can be done immediately then do it now.
6. TAKE THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE LIFT
Take every opportunity for physical exercise. When there’s a choice between the stairs and the lift, take the stairs. Don’t waste time trying to get a parking space next to the supermarket entrance. A short walk will do you no harm. Get off the bus or metro one stop earlier and walk the distance. You’ll start to notice the difference over time.
7. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Cook only what you’re going to eat, buy only the things that you’ll use, turn off lights when you leave the room (this is one of Donald Trump’s tips, and eveyone can agree with him on that), give away or sell things you don’t need, find new uses for old stuff, and use everything you have until it completely wears out. On a fine day you can wear shoes with holes in them, as everyday you wear your old shoes your new shoes last a day longer. You’ll save a lot of money this way.
8. DON'T SMOKE
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Smoking does nothing but erode your health and bank balance, while simultaneously keeping you addicted. If you do smoke, be aware that the only thing you “enjoy” about cigarettes is the relief you get from the cravings that cigarettes create in the first place. Break that cycle and you’ll live longer to tell the tale.
9. DON'T PUT TOO MUCH FAITH IN STUFF
Once you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and enough food to eat, then other material concerns should be of less significance. The pilgrim survives with what they can carry on their back, and survives quite well at that. Learning to be content with your lot will eliminate a lot of unnecessary anguish.
10. YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE THE LAST WORD
We all have our beliefs and our values, and we’ll often come into conflict with people who have an entirely different world view from ours. Even if what people say or believe is entirely without foundation, they may believe it without question and will fight to the death to make their point. Although you may have facts, arguments and statistics to contradict them, many people will never change their mind and concede defeat on the basis of reason or evidence. Sometimes it’s better to let others believe in their world view rather than losing sleep and sanity trying to convince them that they are wrong and you are right. Don’t forget you could be wrong too.
11. TRY NOT TO JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR APPEARANCE
Those who look respectable may not be so, and vice versa. People can surprise us in all sorts of ways. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt, but always watch your back as well.
12. TRUST THAT THE UNIVERSE WILL PROVIDE
Things don’t always work out the way you’ve planned, but things usually do work out okay in the end. Don’t despair when disaster strikes. There’s always a way out of the darkness, and day always follows night.
13. ALWAYS GREET A FRIENDLY DOG
The greeting of a dog is one of the most heartwarming feelings in the world. Never miss an opportunity to say hello to a dog.