Color Your Life Happy

I’m fond of lists that offer tips–some familiar and sometimes new–that have been gathered to focus on improving my life in some way. The Internet is loaded with lists, but here are ones I enjoyed most for creating a happier life. I hope you will enjoy them too.

[Photo on right by strizh]

1. 30 Ways to Make Your Life More Simple 

My favorite on this list are

• Write to a friend with (gasp!) pen and paper.
• Resign from a commitment you’re not passionate about.

 2. 50 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do 

The emphasis is on self-reliance. Not only do you get the tips, but each tip is followed by 3 links to articles from other blogs that elaborate on the tip.

You may not agree with everything on this list, but it certainly makes me happier that I know how to

• parallel park
• take useful notes
• be a respectful house guest
• type
• hold a baby
• drive a manual transmission
• smile for the camera

3. 77  Keys to Living Well Before You Die

Since death is inevitable it only makes sense to think about what things you want to do before that fateful day. Movies such as “The Bucket List” have focused on this. You’ll want to use these as suggestions, then create your own list.

Here are some of the keys from his list that I’m currently living

• Be aware of your surroundings.  Take notice of the simple joys life has to offer.
• Surround yourself with positive people who share goals similar to your own.
• Tend a small garden and eat your own produce.

4. 20 Ways to Train Your Brain for Peak Performance 

When your brain is at its peak you’re definitely happier. Here are my few favorites from this list.

• Break your routines
• Think positive thoughts
• Be a continual learner  

5.   10 Tips for Adding a Splash of Colour

If you live in an area prone to very little sun and lots of wind, rain and gloomy days, you’ll understand why this author created this list for adding color to your life. She gives you links to sites with more about how to carry these out.

My favorite two are

• Eat a rainbow (visit her blog to see what she means here)
• Watch the Wizard of Oz again

6. If I Had My Life to Live Over

When famous humor columnist, Erma Bombeck, learned she had cancer she wrote a list of things she would do if she had her life to do over.  As it turns out she died from a failed kidney transplant rather than cancer, but her list is meaningful nonetheless.

These are few of my favorites from her list

• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have talked less and listened more.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

7. The Eight Irrestible Principles of Fun

 I saved this entertaining but profound video for last. Enjoy.

Participating in the Beijing Olympics may seem to many athletes like facing their greatest competition. But as they discovered the greatest challenge was earning a spot at the Olympics and the greatest competition was themselves.

Bernadett Baczko, a Hungarian, began judo when she was nine. As the youngest child with three older brothers, she was already leaning toward being a tomboy when a friend suggested judo.

From the time she began judo she loved it. Unlike some of participating athletes, Bernadette enjoyed many years of training and began winning international competition, spurred on by what she called her “calvary,” lead by her mother.

But in August 2004 Bernadett’s calvary and “charmed” life began to crumble. From being injured when she arrived too late to a competition to warm up, to surgery, to her mom’s death from an incurable illness,  potholes began to appear on Bernadett’s journey to the Olympics.

She was just coming out of an 8-month retirement from judo and starting to attend university in Budapest when she her mother’s funeral was held.  With her mother’s death, Bernadett had lost her greatest cheerleader.

With the help of her coach, who assembled a new “calvary” around her, Bernadett won the bronze in the 2007 World Championships in Rio. It was this win that earned Bernadett a place in the Beijing Olympics.

Read Bernadett’s story here.

Lesson I learned from Bernadett: Being a winner means facing the worst setbacks imaginable, and bouncing back.

Would you be able to manage such grief, injury and pain in the pursuit of your goal?

In the video below you’ll view Paul Potts as he auditions for Britain’s popular show, Got Talent. To decide whether or not to compete, Potts tossed a coin.

Not only did he win the competition but he appeared on The Royal Command Variety Performance. Potts became a best-selling, international recording artist.

What would happen if you stepped forward to risk seeing what you could do?