22 Things To Start Doing Now That Will Improve The Rest Of Your Life

 On Quora, the social question-and-answer site, a 23-year-old student asked: "What can people start doing now that will help them a lot in five years?" Hundreds of answers poured in, and this one by Quora contributor Andy Giroux was one of our favorites. By Andy Giroux

  Go to the link to read it in full:
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/20/22-tips-life_n_6906880.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

If you email me yours I add them to the end of the posting.

The brief rundown:
1. Exercise.
2. Don't say "I'll do it tomorrow" or "I don't have time."
3. Don't make excuses.
4. Read books.
5. Make sure you understand your credit score.
6. Save money.
7. Don't hold grudges.
8. Laugh and smile.
9. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Be thankful and grateful.
11. Be charitable.
12. Be selfish.
13. Keep your phone in your pocket when with friends and family.
14. Don't be shy.
15. Listen.
16. Be yourself, but don't be an A-Hole.
17. Travel.
18. Be open minded.
19. Love like a puppy.
20. Ask why and be curious.
21. Follow your passions and your dreams.
22. Be a child
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 Always do the bonus question!

Forgive your parents for not being perfect.

Take responsibility for your own life.

Stop blaming.

Know that being loving is much more important than being right.

Pay attention and be mindful of the world and people around you.

 

 

A Clever Container You Can Make!

Go to the link to learn more: http://www.oprah.com/own-show/A-Lunchbox-Hiding-in-Plain-Sight?playlist_id=52173

Egg Dying Made Easy!

19 Things That The Most Creative People Do Differently (Do You Do Any Of These Things?)

1.They Like To Surround Themselves With Beauty

According to a recent psychology study, musicians of all kinds showed higher sensitivity to musical and artistic beauty than others, which makes sense because, you know, they’re around so much of it in general.

2. They're Always Changing Things

Creative people are good at keeping things different. They're aware that if they remain stagnant or focus on one thing for too long, they'll lose that creative spark that drew them to that thing in the first place.

3. They Look For New Experiences

Creative people are always looking for that new sensation or experience that can stimulate them in a new and unique way. Getting out there, whether via intellectually attacking something or by actually going to a new place, is a great way to broaden your horizons.

4. They Tend To Observe Pretty Much Everything

At any given time there are many, many things happening around us in our environment. Those who are really creative will be the people observing all those tiny details and putting them away for use later, regardless of how they'll be interpreted.

5. They See Life As One Big Chance To Express Themselves

Those who are creative are likely to fully believe in the idea that one's life should be viewed as one big piece of art, and will therefore be more likely to act in ways and do things that show to the world who they are.

6. They Learn From Their Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, but the most creative people will look at their mistakes and come away with the most to learn. They may fail again and again and again, but they'll keep approaching whatever problem they have with a new and ingenious approach each time.

7. They Make Sure To People-Watch

Creative people are also naturally curious, so they'll spend time watching the people around them. They'll be able to glean all sorts of interesting things, whether it's something big like a philosophical idea or a small insight, and they'll also appreciate the differences in every individual more.

8. They're Good At Making Connections

These are the people who will come up with the answer that no one else could think of or design something totally different from what everyone else is doing. When really creative people tackle a problem, they don't think through possible outcomes.

9. They Get Lost In The Flow Of Things

When they're doing something stimulating, whether it's painting or writing or dancing or anything else, creative people can get into the flow of things. It's also called "being in the zone." There are those times when someone is so invested and so focused that there's nothing beyond their immediate task.

10. They Daydream As A Tool

It turns out that when creative people daydream, they're not just slacking off. Instead, creative people use those daydreams as a way to grow and nurture their ideas. By letting their mind run free, they can imagine things that they then work to create in real life.

11. They Continuously Ask The Big Questions

The more creative a person is, the more they also have a thirst to learn. When they have a question they won't be afraid to ask it, and it'll usually be something thought-provoking that leads to gained insight.

12. They Take Others' Perspectives

Getting out of our own heads allows us to take positions we would otherwise be unfamiliar with and gain a better understanding of the world. It's no surprise that really creative people are exceptionally good at this skill.

13. They Work When They're The Most Productive

Some people are morning people, some are night owls, and some people fall someone in between the too. Regardless of when they're at their state of highest functioning, creative people know to use that period of time to tap into the deepest reservoirs of their abilities.

14. They Build On The Obstacles With Which Life Challenges Them

No one can go through life without experiencing different kinds of loss and pain. These things are universal, but everyone responds to these hardships differently. One look around at various pieces of art shows that the truly creative people in the world can take that pain and anger and turn it into something beautiful that resonates with people on a basic level.

15. They Always Strive To Be Mindful

Artists and other creators of things know the value of being able to clear their minds and focus on the task at hand, whatever it may be. Meditation and other forms of mental control comprise the arsenal with which creative people can obtain such clear-headedness.

16. They Know To Take Risks

Simply being creative in the first place involves taking risks; there's no guarantee that the resulting product will be of quality, or even that it will be finished. However, taking risks beyond the studio or desk will lead to more ideas and sparks that will in turn help the creative juices in the future.

17. They Surround Themselves With Differently-Minded People

When someone hangs out exclusively with people who think and behave similarly, a certain malaise starts to set in. To combat such a funk and to remain fresh and full of ideas, creative people seek out those that are different in order to be challenged and expand their horizons.

 18. They Make Time To Be Alone

At the same time, creative people know when they need to be alone and let the dust settle, so to speak. Being alone allows for the mind to wander without distraction, as well as giving the individual time to get down to work.

19. They Chase What They're Passionate About

When creative people find something they're truly passionate about, that passion tends to be from an internal force, not something external. They're about that thing for that thing itself, not for fame or money.

From:

 http://www.brainjet.com/random/9937/19-things-that-the-most-creative-people-do-differently-do-you-do-any-of-these-things?org=t#slide/0

51 Of The Most Beautiful Sentences In Literature

Do you have a favorite beautiful line from a book? 

Check out these here: 51 Of The Most Beautiful Sentences In Literature

Can’t Meditate? Here’s Why You Should Try Art!

 "Many of us have heard about the benefits of meditation, but sometimes find it hard to do so! Fewer of us know about the profound benefits of artistic expression. Creating art, however, is another way to access a meditative state of mind and the profound healing it brings."

"Art therapy has a healing effect for a variety of ailments (depression, trauma, illness, etc.) and is effective across age, gender or ethnicity. In a recent study performed on cancer patients, an art therapy intervention — in conjunction with conventional treatments —(chemotherapy, radiation, surgery etc.) not only diminished symptoms typically associated with cancer such as pain, fatigue, anxiety, but also enhanced life expectancy. The study was based on the belief that “the creative process involved in the making of art is healing and life enhancing. It is used to help patients, or their families, increase awareness of self, cope with symptoms, and adapt to stressful and traumatic experiences.”

1. Art is a vehicle for meditation and self-connection

2. Art provides a feeling of flow & freedom

3. Art allows for true self-expression

4. Art helps us become steady & centered

 To read in depth go here:
http://www.fulfillmentdaily.com/cant-meditate-heres-try-art/

35 Genius Google Tips And Tricks That Most People Don't Know About

"Everyone uses Google for random queries, but it's way more powerful than a traditional search engine. Check out these Google tips and tricks that'll change the way you look for stuff online for good. "
 Check them out here: http://news.distractify.com/mark-pygas/google-tips/

10 Rules to Live By for Those Who Want to Live a Positive Life

by: Mo Seetubtim 
Founder of BrandMentalist - an inspirational blog about modern life wisdom & Happiness Planner - a planner that is designed to help you achieve happiness from within.

To read in depth go here: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6692440?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

1. Be comfortable in your own skin.
2. Appreciate what you have and never compare yourself with others.
3. See the positive in every situation.
4. Let go of your need to control.
5. Drop the resentment within.
6. Live in the moment.
7. Avoid over-analyzing.
8. Stop worrying about the future.
9. Drop your ego and be true.
10. Have an open mind.

Be sure to look just below the article and see the slideshow of 10 Habits of Optimists

 1. Have Gratitude
 2. Share Your Stories
 3. Forgive
 4. Be A Better Listener
 5. Turn Envy And Jealousy Into Energy
 6. Smile More, Frown Less
 7. Exercise, Eat A Healthy Diet And Take In Vitamin D
 8. Be A Positive Forward Thinker
 9. Stop Blaming Others
 10. Understand That The Past Is Not A Blueprint For The Future