Rules for Living

So I've read several lists, by notorious and famous people, of rules for living.  After some thought I decided there's some validity to creating such a list.

Indeed the value isn't in the list itself, but rather in the self-discipline of actually living by the list...and if it's a list of rules to live by I really need to be mindful of living by it right?

My list isn't those things I do automatically each day, and some of them I don't even do well on a regular basis.

Grandpa always said "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise".  I know this wasn't grandpa's saying, but he's where I heard it.  Not something I'm great at, but there's value to it for sure.

Exercise is good for your body of course, and your mind and even your emotional well being.  Exercise gets your juices flowing and keeps your body healthy and feeling alive. 

Eat well.  Three meals a day isn't eating well.  If you're overweight and cutting meals in your attempts to lose weight what you might not realize is that you're destroying your efforts.  There's no good to come from skipping meals and not eating enough food during the day.  Your body is an engine that needs fuel.  Food is your fuel - don't cheat yourself of 6-8 meals per day.

Work hard.  It doesn't matter what you do, work hard at doing it.  I've always been told it doesn't matter what you do be the best at it. If you're a boxcar hobo be the best boxcar hobo there ever was...and if you're a doctor be the best doctor ever.

Play.  What's life without some enjoyment?  Don't get me wrong, I love working and I love working out.  I might enjoy both of those things more than I like sleeping even.That said there's nothing like a break from normal, or reality, and taking some much needed time off.

There's an acronym - HALT - that fits for maintaining your emotional health and stability.  Never allow yourself to get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.  One of these things is easy to maintain a sense of sanity.  Two of them is more difficult. If you're three of them all at the same time I'd say seek a friend and do it now. Do whatever you need to do in order to protect yourself from these things, and do your best to never even be 2 of them at any given time.

It's not an exhaustive list, but it's a start.  Do these things faithfully and then add what you feel is important to you.  Drink in moderation, don't smoke or do other drugs, play and work equally hard, dance like nobody will ever watch you and love like there is no tomorrow.