As we have completed the first month of the year 2010, have we set the best course for the year? As I asked myself this question, it came to mind that what is important to me should always be within my sight — sort of like tying a string around my finger or writing a note on the back of my hand. Perhaps, you keep a daily journal or diary where you note everything important to you – your plans, hopes, joys, special dates, and all of the important stuff. If so, then you know my reason for writing this column.

    This week, I received a “forward” from a dear friend.  In the world of computer-talk, a “forward’ is an ongoing email that is passed around to all of your friends.  Now some of the “forward” emails stop with me, and I do not pass them along to clutter up the cyberspace, but others are too valuable to keep to myself, and I do share them. Most of these are written anonymously such as the one I am about to share with you, therefore, I can’t give the well earned credit due to the writer, but I’m certain this person would like for you, my readers, to enjoy the richness that the words teach.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:

    1. Drink plenty of water.

    2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, 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 pray.

    6. Play more games.

    7. Read more books than you did in 2009.

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

    9. Sleep for 7 hours.

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

 

Personality:

 

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

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

    3. Don’t over do.  Keep your limits.

    4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

    5. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

    6. Dream more while you are awake.

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

    8. Forget issues of the past.  Don’t remind your partner with His/Her mistakes of the past.  This will ruin your present happiness.

    9. Life is too short to waste hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

    10.  Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

    11. No one is in charge with your happiness except you.

    12. 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.

    13. Smile and laugh more.

    14. You won’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

 

Society:

    1. Call your family often.

    2. Each day give something good to others.

    3. Forgive everyone for everything.

    4. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

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

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

    7. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Friends will. Stay in touch.

 

Life:

    1. Do the right thing!

    2. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.

    3.  GOD heals everything.

    4. However good or bad a situation is — it will change.

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

    6. The best is yet to come.

    7. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

    8. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

 

    Well, there you have it. This is an easy, sensible, kindhearted, wholesome, body-healthy, mind-healthy, salt-of-the-earth type handbook for the New Year. I think it’s the type of advice your granny would have recommended. Again, when these words of wisdom came my way earlier this week, I knew it was too good to keep just to myself. Dear friends, let us read each one carefully in order to parallel the meanings, as they should compare with our lives.

    I think I will make a copy and hang it on the frig, oh, and put one on my desk, maybe another on the bedside table, one in the car, and oh, yes, one especially in the TV room (near my husband).  Our Handbook for 2010 – live it day-by-day and moment-by-moment to see us through to another year.

 

Upcoming Happy Birthday Meridian Events:

Tuesday, Feb 9 @ 10:30 – The third grade students at Poplar Springs Elementary School will present “Happy 150th Birthday Meridian” including the play “Meridian: The City that Would Not Die” by Anne McKee at 10:30 am in the auditorium. Open to the community.

 

Wednesday, Feb 10  – The City of Meridian celebrates Meridian’s Sesquicentennial at Dumont Plaza.

 

    Anne McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.