Tips and strategies to live a healthy and well-balanced life
“What are your top five life lessons you can share with me?”
Imagine your teenage mentee asking you that question. How would you respond?
Like many others, from time to time some pearls of wisdom cross my desk. The two lists I share in this blog can be shared with any mentee, no matter their age, and can also result in many possible discussions about life, attitudes and relationships, most importantly: how to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
I have been unable to find the authors of these two articles, though must acknowledge them whoever they are and express my appreciation for sharing these words of wisdom which can be used to promote the spirit of mentoring.
Create positive and meaningful relationships
The greatest Joy……………………………………….Giving
The greatest loss…………………………………….. Self-respect
The greatest hurt…………………………………….. Losing a loved one
The most satisfying work……………………….. Helping Others
The ugliest personality traits…………………… Selfishness, Greed
The most endangered species………………… Dedicated Leaders
Our greatest natural resource…………………… Our Youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”………………. Encouragement
The greatest thing to overcome………………… Fear
The most destructive habit………………………. Worry
The most effective sleeping pill…………….. Peace of Mind
The most crippling failure disease…………. Excuses
The most powerful force in life………………… Love
The most dangerous pariah…………………….. Gossip
The worst thing to be without…………………… Hope
The deadliest weapon…………………………….. The tongue
The most confident statement………………….. I Can
The greatest asset………………………………….. Faith
The most worthless emotion…………………….. Self-pity
The most beautiful attire………………………….. Smile
The most prized possessions……………………. Integrity, Honor
The most contagious spirit………………………. Enthusiasm
Something you can’t live without……………… Life
The greatest virtue………………………….. Honesty
The most endearing need………………………… To be wanted
The greatest demand……………………….. Respect
The most powerful possession………………….. Knowledge
The greatest expression of thanks…………….. Gratitude
Reflections on Life – be the change you want to see
I asked a friend who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80 what sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:
1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable and fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5 I stopped telling the elderly that they’ve already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane and relive their past.
6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7 I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say “Thank You.”
8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9 I walk away from people who don’t value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12 I have learned that it’s better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13 I have learned to live each day as if it’s the last. After all, it might be the last.
14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
I decided to share this for all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can’t we practice this at any stage and age?
So, what five life lessons would you share with your mentee? I have only got as far as number 1, with more to follow:
- I have learnt that, with self-discipline and an unshakeable faith, anything is possible.
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