Handbook for 2009, pt. 4

We talked last week about the things we should be doing this year to improve society in general. This is the fourth and final week of the Handbook for 2009. This week it's all about how to improve our lives (though it could be argued that everything we've talked about for the last three weeks improves our lives).

Life

31. Do the right thing!
I try to always do the right thing. Though as we know, the right thing is not always the easy thing. I'm an honest person and can't intentionally do anything to hurt anyone else.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
This is good, too. Periodically throughout the year I feel the urge to purge our house of stuff we have accumulated and do not need. J and I both tend to keep stuff "just in case" and then we have way too much stuff. We take several big loads of things to the Goodwill each year. If I were more internet savvy I would figure out how to sell some of it on e-Bay, but I'm not so I don't. Plus, I don't know if I would have time for that. But, after I have purged, I do feel much better. I feel lighter, and happier. Things shouldn't weigh us down so much, right?

33. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
This is simultaneously pessimistic and optimistic. J would say it's neither pessimistic or optimistic, but realistic. I think that there is always hope. If it's a bad situation, you always hope for the best and do what you can to make it that way. If it's a good situation, you hope it stays that way, and do what you can to make it. So as long as you are hopeful, every situation is manageable. (Side note: YAY!!!! I can feel some of my Pollyanna attitude coming back!!!)

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Sometimes this is harder than it seems. Especially because I am intensely awkward in social settings. I often let me talk myself out of doing things because they intimidate me. I need to get over that.

35. The best is yet to come.
Is there anything else to say?