10 Simple Habits for Greater Happiness & Health

(Read the full, fancy version here.)“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”~ Ralph Waldo EmersonEverybody wants happiness and health, right? Health and happiness are freedom. Love is freedom. When we are happy and healthy, we are more able to freely give and receive love.In my own personal experience, these habits have helped increase my level of health and happiness. None of these are things I set out to do. None were New Year’s resolutions. They have just gradually happened over the years, and looking back, I am so grateful.Here they are, in no particular order (although perhaps number 10 is the most important of all):1. Quit reading magazines.2. Quit wearing cosmetics.3. Quit shaving.4. Quit shopping excessively.5. Quit watching TV.6. Quit being connected online 24/7.7. Quit eating crap.8. Quit filling your life with busyness.“Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don’t try to figure anything out. Don’t try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.” ~ Tilopa9. Quit being too sedentary.Exercise without joining a gym. Get more fresh air. Walk more, drive less. Bike. Hike. Swim. Be active, energetic, playful. Do yoga. Play sports. Be less of a couch potato.10. Be yourself.Study yourself. Be who you are. Know that you are whole. Be your own best friend. Love you. (Mean it.)“Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself—and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to—letting a person be what he really is.”~ Jim Morrison