Giving Flowers To Strangers On Streets of Tel Aviv
- Give thanks for being alive before getting out of bed
- Smile at yourself in the mirror when brushing your teeth
- Wear an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself
- Read some passages from an inspirational or spiritual book
- Sit quietly and take some deep breaths
- Think of your day as an adventure
- Give your children hugs
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Listen to music
- Go for a walk in nature
- Sing a song that you love
- Select a mantra to repeat throughout the day
- Break some rules
- Give flowers to strangers on the street
- Offer your seat to someone if taking public transportation
- Say ‘good morning ‘ to people you pass in the hall at work
- Think of everything that happens as a learning experience
- Have patience
- Forgive yourself
- Practice being non-judgmental
- Be agreeable rather than argumentative
- Stay calm under pressure
- Have faith that things will unfold perfectly
- Take time to ask someone how they’re doing…and mean it
- Listen rather than talk
- Practice compassion
- Buy fresh fruits and vegetables
- Learn something new
- Mix up your daily routine
- Check in with a friend to see how she’s doing
- Work at creating great relationships
- Don’t lash out at others
- Slow down when feeling rushed
- Take care of yourself
- Look at the bright side when things don’t go as planned
- Be playful
- Focus on the stuff that matters
- Put out positive energy so that you can attract it
- Do one thing at a time rather than multi-tasking
- Have fun
- Laugh
- Be silly
- Limit the amount of information you take in
- Take a time out from e-mails
- Do something you love
- Turn on music and dance
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Turn off your phone in public places (and while driving)
- Let drivers in a hurry pass you
- Give the pedestrian the right of way
- Buy fresh flowers
- Be inspired by someone
- Prepare a homemade snack for your kids
- Speak out when you see an injustice taking place
- Pick up litter
- Live your life as if it was your last day
- Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’
- Help a colleague who is overloaded with work
- Adopt the attitude of ‘it’s not what you do’ but ‘how you do it’
- Pause before saying something impulsive
- Trash your ‘to do’ list
- Volunteer for a cause you believe in
- Embrace chaos
- Practice humility
Wow, what a great list. I already feel inspired to turn today into an awesome day. I’ll start with #45 (do something you love) and by going to a heated yoga class right now. Maybe you have a blessed day yourself. Loving blessings
Andrea…
I’m impressed that you do hot yoga…bikram? That’s intense stuff. I’m sure you’re turning your weekend into an awesome one. Fran
OK, the burning questions are…. Is that you in the picture and is the white stuff yogurt or whipped cream or egg whites? (Inquiring minds want to know!)
On a more serious note, just reading the list and stopping to think about some of the entries is enough to motivate me and brighten the day. And on that note, I am off to put on something that makes me feel “good” and try to be more patient with my frisky pups today. I am feeling miserable (spring head cold) and had opted to stay in bed in my nightgown all day. But after reading this, I’ve decided that a comfortable, pretty, lounging outfit would definitely improve my mood and I want to go outside and cut some daffodils, forsythia, and cherry buds for the kitchen where I plan to prepare the chicken soup Steve brought me the other night for the lunch time feeding.
Thanks for some much needed inspiration!
Cathy…
HA! I wouldn’t mind being that woman in the picture. Sorry to hear that you have a head cold…no fun. But if you have daffs, tulips, and forsythias to cut for your kitchen, just that alone will make you feel better. And you can never go wrong with chicken soup. Hope you feel better soon 🙂 Fran
Ah I love this list. “Practice kindness” and “Give something away” every day.
Beautiful compilation, Fran. Instant day-brightener to read this.
Thank you for the mention!
Vidya…
A day brightener sounds good to me. I must tell you, anytime that I think of cooking a meal in relationship to creativity, I think of you. 🙂 Fran
Thanks so much Fran. As Vidya says, reading list list was a beautiful way to start my day.
Now I’m off to have an extraordinary day!
Dear Claire…
I loved doing this list. It helped to jog my memory about what’s important in making a day extraordinary. Am glad you enjoyed. Fran
Wow! What a wonderful list! One that’s worth printing out. These three fit me best right now:
Put out positive energy so that you can attract it
Get out of your comfort zone
Laugh
Thanks for the link as well!
Dear Betsy,
I always feel like I’m working on getting out of my comfort zone and putting out positive energy. Laughing is the one that I don’t have to work at. I’ve been laughing and guffawing since I was a kid…to the point where tears stream out of my eyes. It always feels wonderful.Fran
Hi Fran,
As Betsy said, this list should be printed out! What a great day everyday can be. I’m trying to start my morning this way as well – “Read some passages from an inspirational or spiritual book and Sit quietly and take some deep breaths.” You have given us a great reminder to take a moment to do the things that will shake things up a bit and make it a wonderful day. Thanks for the great post.
Cathy….It’s funny that you mentioned reading spiritual/inspirational passages. It’s one of my most favorite things to do in the morning when having my coffee. Guess what? This morning it didn’t happen. My day didn’t feel the same. I missed it. Tomorrow….double reading:) Fran
What an amazing list Fran! Definitely print-worthy!
I know that whenever I do any of these things, especially the ones just out of my comfort zone, I always feel better.
I always start my day by giving my three little angels their morning hugs and kisses and telling them how much I love them.
Thanks for this gift!
Dear Paige,
As you know, giving your kids hugs…even when they’re adults …is a delicious way of nurturing and loving each other. Your 3 children are lucky to have such a loving and wise mother 🙂 Fran
Hi Fran,
This list is awesome. I’ll be offline most of the week. My daughter and oldest grandson are visiting. It’ 1:30 in the afternoon and we already went horse back riding had breakfast afterward on the ranch and took a four mile hike in the desert before lunch. I’m having a delicious day…
Tess…
It sounds to me like you are in a blissful state. Enjoy every minute with your daughter and grandson. Horseback riding? I love it. A 4 mile hike….I can see it perfectly. That’s my morning ritual when I visit my friend in Scottsdale. Have a magnificent, blessed holiday. With love..Fran
This was fun. Before I read your list, I would think of something myself and then see if it was on the list. Everything was! Plus many more. Any one of these would transform your day. Great list!
Galen….HA…so we have a lot in common…am not surprised. It sounds like you already have the skills to make your day a special one 🙂 Fran
Hi Fran,
What a wonderful list! Reading through all the things we can do, certainly put a smile on my face! 🙂
I do the smiling in the mirror when brushing my teeth everyday. It’s a great way to start the day.
I loved embracing chaos. By doing this, we interestingly enough create more balance for ourselves.
Hiten,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I was on vacation for the Easter weekend. I always appreciate hearing from you. I love that you smile in the mirror when you brush your teeth every morning. It’s fun to do and actually gets you facial muscles moving. Try making funny faces ….that’s even more fun.
Life is messy. Accepting and embracing chaos is magical. I am getting better at it with a lot of practice. 🙂 Fran
Very cool list! I especially like #13, Break Some Rules. It was the first one I saw and feel it was speaking to me. It is time for me to break some rules. Thanks for sharing this great list
Wendy…I’ve never read a quote or article about Breaking the Rules that doesn’t offer me a much needed reminder. Am so glad that you enjoyed. Fran
What a great list! I think I need to print this one. Thanks for sharing such great inspirations for a better day!
Melissa – With pleasure. I always keep lists/affirmations/quotes close to me – they help to inspire and keep me grounded. Happy New Year 🙂 Fran
Many fine examples here Fran, Thank You. So many simple gestures can make such an enormous impact/difference in ours and others’ lives.
Is 64 significant?
Be good to yourself
David
Awesome Post…