“The most wasted of days is one with laughter.”
e. e. cummings
Joe: “I don’t play favorites.”
Pete: “That’s great, Joe.”
Joe: “I offend everyone.”
The first step to living a stress-free life is to stop overanalyzing imaginary scenarios. It’s easy to spend time in the world of worst-case scenarios. People tend to cultivate this world for one of two reasons. First, because if you know what the worst-case scenario is, then it won’t surprise you when it happens. Second, if you know what the worst-case scenario is, then you can do everything in your power to control the universe so the worst case never happens. If that’s really the world you want to cultivate, then become a professional risk assessor. If not, then ask yourself how you are benefiting from continuing to live that way.
If your answer to these three questions is no, then stop it!
“Try to be the rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Maya Angelou
Everyone has a bad day now and then. It’s all part of living. It’s a priceless gift when we take the time to lighten someone’s load. It may be a needed hug, a listening ear, or surprising someone with a home cooked meal. The possibilities are endless. Make someone’s day, be the rainbow in their cloud.
“It’s not what other people believe you can do, it’s what you believe.”
[since feeling is first]
e. e. cummings
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don’t cry
—the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids’ flutter which says
we are for each other: then
laugh, leaning back in my arms
for life’s not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
Decluttering sounds like a big project, but setting aside just 20 minutes a week can have a big impact. What can you do in 20 minutes? Lots. Set a timer on your phone and take 15 minutes to tidy up a specific area of one room — say, your closet or that out-of-control junk drawer. Put everything in its place and toss or give away any extra clutter that’s not serving you anymore. Keep a designated box for giveaways to make things a little easier (and avoid creating more clutter).Use the remaining 5 minutes to do a quick walk through your living space, putting away whatever stray items end up in your path. You can do this trick once a week, once a day, or anytime you feel like your space is getting out of control.
Note: Decluttering around your office, home, or apartment will help you to feel better. Think about decluttering your mind. Let go of other people’s business. Let go of things you can’t change. Let go of anger and resentments. You’ll add ten years to your life.
