6 Daily Tips For Better Wellbeing And Self-Esteem

Recently I was moved by a quote I read. It went something like this: "I would prefer one single rose from you in my lifetime than a huge bouquet when I'm dead," and I second that wholeheartedly. A fat lot of good those roses are to us when we can't appreciate them anymore, yet were neglected in life and deprived of them. So my tips are all people centred, designed to keep us connected, even when we are not aware of it.

These tips are timely because one thing we regularly do is to take people for granted: our loved ones, friends and those who care for us. We often neglect them without meaning to do so, because we are 'too busy' with other things in life, and when they are no longer there we live in sadness and regret. But everything we do, apart from connection with others, is actually artificial; a social construct that WE invented and introduced to fill our time and enrich ourselves. So to focus on those to the exclusion of all else is actually to live against the reasons and purpose why we are all here together.

These suggested tips represent my six most powerful ways to start your day and boost your esteem.

TIP 1: Start each day with Gratitude

No matter what you have, no matter how small or meagre, GIVE THANKS. Never take anything or any day for granted. As soon as you open your eyes and can see your ceiling give thanks first of all for your life. No day is guaranteed to us and the fact that we are still alive on a new day is a particular gift and blessing. Express quiet thanks for your family, children, friends and everyone who has been there for you. By thanking your God, Universe or whatever you believe in for your blessings, you will get even more to be thankful for. Most important, you will never take anything or anyone for granted because you would have appreciated them every step along the way.

TIP 2: Text or email a greeting/compliment to someone

Never begin your day with a focus on yourself. Always put the focus outwards to others and, with karma, magical things tend to happen in return. Wish someone a great day. Thank them for being in your life, for being there for you. Find something to praise them for, especially your spouse, children or special friends. With just a few kind words and nothing else, you would be making that person's day even before they started. I advocate text or emailing because it keeps you detached, it allows you to express yourself without either of you feeling self-conscious, and would be more of a surprise to the recipient. It also frees them to react in their own way and time.

TIP 3: Make some Decisions

Make a list of up to 5 things you wish to do for that day, beginning with the easiest. This is the most empowering part of the day because we only achieve through DECISIONS. Having intentions are fine but that's only the beginning. Making decisions about them and then ACTING upon them is the only thing to get you want you want in life. Most people don't achieve their goals because they make no decisions each day, or they try to do too much and fall by the wayside, becoming overwhelmed by it all. But five is an easy number to manage and represent 35 accomplished tasks at the end of the week!

If you finish the tasks/goals in record time, DON'T add any more to the list because work never takes a holiday. RELAX instead, enjoy yourself, go for a walk, sit and daydream about tomorrow, or read a book. Talk to your spouse/date, play a game together, discuss topical issues, whatever makes you feel good. Simply smell the roses and allow yourself to appreciate your existence. Don't keep working for the sake of it and allow neglect to creep into your relationship. Work never goes away. There will always be tasks to be done. However, taking time to interact with others, to email or make a phone call to a friend you haven't heard from in a while, to go to the cinema, theatre, concert or local event with a partner or friend, will help to make you less stressed, more healthy, happy and more rounded. It will also give you some quality time each day, not just sporadically, with the people who matter.

TIP 4: Learn something new

Seize every opportunity to widen your horizons. Being a writer and wordsmith I subscribe to a website that sends me one new word to learn everyday. It tells me the meaning, pronunciation and usage of that word which quietly but consistently improves my vocabulary. Learning just one word daily doesn't sound a lot but at the end of the year I would have learned 365 words and I have been signed up to it for the past 10 years! It means that my vocabulary is richer by at least 3,650 new words! I will also be able to express myself with more fluency and accuracy than the person who does not know those words. But any kind of knowledge keeps our brain on top form working daily for us, which also boosts our confidence, communication skills, and help to keep our bodies healthier, too.

TIP 5: Say 'I Love You' to someone

Become generous with love. It really means a lot. It could be your child, a friend, or a lover, but try to express those magical words to someone else and, guess what? They will soon come winging their way back to you from unexpected sources. We have to give to get in life and if we never have a kind word or appreciation for others, they can't treat us likewise, either. Open up to others by being kinder, more empathetic and more loving. There is a major reason for this. Not only do we feel good passing on good vibes, but those three precious words could be the last thing that person hears in their life!

TIP 6: Give the world a Smile

Smile as much as you can, even when you are churning inside. Please remember that every adversity in life is only ever TEMPORARY. Within a few hours, days or weeks it will be sorted, with or without you. So smile as often as you can. It shows your joy, your gratitude, energy and optimism; it gives a fresh perspective and it also allows others to smile, too. You empower them with that smile because it is likely to make them feel good. A frown endears us to no one, but a smile can uplift someone else and speaks clearly across all languages.

By the way, it really doesn't matter if you do not get back what you give to others. That is NOT the point. I guarantee that you will get it back from the most unexpected sources in the future.

If you follow those six simple tips from today, see how different life becomes over the coming weeks without you even trying! It also means that, should anything tragic happen to anyone in your circle, you would be giving thanks for your positive part in their lives, rather than remembering them in regret.

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