Healthy Habits to Live By

Habit 1:  Live in the present moment.  We need to be present for the miracles of life. “Every morning we are born again.  What we do today is what matters most.” (Buddha)

Habit 2:  Simplify life.  Outer de-cluttering.  Keep material possessions to a minimum and only hold what you really need.  A simplified life is more enjoyable and less complicated. Own only what you need.

Habit 3:  Inner de-cluttering.  Take care of others. Make room for others and dump selfish habits.

Habit 4:  Meditate. “The earthly obscures the heavenly.  Human voices drown out the voice of God.  Only in solitude can you begin to sift away the chaff and come at last to the golden grains of truth.  Silence will speak more to you in a day than the world of voices can teach you in a lifetime.  Find solitude – and having discovered her riches, bind her to your heart.” (Frances J. Roberts)

Habit 5:  Follow the wise. Look around, there are always insightful people to learn from, especially older people.  Develop a passion for learning.

Habit 6:  Listen mindfully and without judgment.  Take in everything that someone is saying without evaluating it. This leads to mutual respect, understanding and a chance for progress in conversation.

Habit 7:  Accept that change is a law of the universe. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like (lao Tzu). The moment is all that exists.

Habit 8:  Focus on one thing.  Whatever is happening in your present moment, give it your full attention.  You will experience more peace and calmness as a result.  Don’t confuse activity (or multi-tasking) with productivity.  Give it everything you've got.

Habit 9:  Let go of what you can't control.  Letting go gives you freedom, which is important for happiness.

Habit 10:  Strive to keep balance.  Living in the extremes of life challenges balance.

Habit 11:  Have a sense of purpose.  “He who has a why to live for can endure almost any how.” (Nietzsche) Purpose give you the “why”.

Habit 12: Pray for wisdom.  Wisdom is the power to see the truth without having to fit it into any mold.  Wisdom- Knowing that there is always more than what we see and know in this moment.

You can unlearn habits and learn new habits!  If you want to.

(Some sources – Come Away my Beloved, Frances J. Roberts; Hackspirit.com; ideapod.com; Chabad.org)