Life is hard. And it’s harder than ever for a lot of people right now.

Politics, pandemics and pandemonium are things we are dealing with on a daily basis now and it’s causing unprecedented levels of anxiety and uncertainty for many people. But, believe it or not, you can control how much influence you allow these outside forces have on your life by controlling things on the inside.

I’m talking about your mentality.

If you focus on the good in life, your blessings, your goals, and becoming a better person each day, then the outside forces won’t be able to pollute your mind as much. And if they’re not polluting your mind as much, they’re not affecting your life as much either. R

Read this list of 17 rules to live by and get busy living. Because you never know when your last day is going to be.

17 Rules To Live By

1. Count your blessings: No matter what you think, you have blessings in your life. Just getting another day of life is a blessing. And if that’s all you can think of, count it. But if you think for just a few seconds I know you’ll think of other things like a home, a car, a significant other, your kids, your pets, or whatever it is. Count them. Do it each day to and watch your list grow.
2. Deliver more than expected: This doesn’t have to be something significant either do don’t break your brain trying to think of something. The next time you do something for someone, just do a little extra. Or a lot extra if you feel so inclined. The person you’re helping will be very appreciative. And even if they’re not you’ll feel better about yourself.
3. Don’t dwell on mistakes: So you messed up, so what. Get on with life. I’ll tell you a little secret, EVERYONE messes up. We’re human. Start telling yourself that you’re a Mistake Maker AND a Mistake Breaker. Learn from you mistake and move on.
4. Reward labor/love family: You work hard so play hard. And nurture the love of your family. Be a model to your children, not a critic. A loving family is the only proof of success you really need.
5. Keep pleasant thoughts: You were created in the image of God and you have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You become what you think about.
6. Speak with action: There’s a saying, actions speak louder than words. You’ll be judged by what you do, not by what you say. So do the right thing and stand up for what you believe. Anyone can talk big, but winners do what it takes.
7. Keep a positive attitude: This can be tough and sometimes the darkness will block out the light. But you have the power to bring the light back in. And darkness cannot be present in the light. Remember that you have overcome EVERYTHING thrown at you in life thus far and you’re not going to allow one more struggle to stop you.
8. Trash menial things: How many hours do we scroll mindlessly through social media or waste mesmerized in front of the stupid tv? Too many. I know that. Instead, engage in something each day that makes you a better person. Something that makes you grow and expand your mind. Read a book. TALK to a friend or family member. Take a course. Start a new hobby. Just do something that improves your life. It’s too short to waste on menial stuff.
9. Live today as your last: This might sound morbid but it’s reality because we never know when we’re going to take our last breath. What’s one thing you would do today if you knew you weren’t going to wake up tomorrow? Do it. There’s a phrase the Stoics used, Memento Mori; you could leave life right now so be mindful in everything you think, say and do.
10. Be pleasant to everyone: This can a tough one but it’s highly effective, especially to you. It can be as simple as a smile. Just extend whatever amount of kindness and care you can to someone, without expecting any kind of reward, and know that your life will never be the same for doing so.
11. Laugh at yourself and life: Never take yourself too seriously. Life is too short to beat yourself up and judge yourself all the time. Laughter will banish tension, worry and concern and free your mind to think clearly.
12. Never neglect little things: The extra effort. A smile. A compliment. A hug. That one extra attempt at something. The consistent daily habit of meditating, exercising or whatever it is. The little things always make a huge impact. Do not neglect them.
13. Welcome every morning with a smile: You just got another day to create the life you want. Make the day count. Establish a morning routine so that you get each day started right. Don’t waste it because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
14. Set goals for each day: Success, improvement or whatever you want to call it happens one day at a time. You don’t climb a staircase in one leap and you’re not going to reach your goal in one day. But you can make progress in one day. Focus on that and you’ll accomplish your goals before you know it. One. Day. At. A. Time.
15. Never allow rain on your parade: Nothing external can have any power over you unless you allow it. Always remember to consider the source and that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Only God can shape a flower, but any fool can pull it to pieces.
16. Search for the good in every adversity: Everything happens for a reason and we don’t always know that reason. Do the stars look different from the bottom of a well than they do from a mountain tope? Sure, they do. But you can still see them. Search for the good and you’ll find it. And remember, tough times don’t last forever but tough people do. No matter what or how little, keep searching and moving forward.
17. Realize that true happiness lies within you: A new car, a new house, new clothes, or whatever material item it is only provides for temporary happiness. If that’s what you want to call it. Do you want to truly be happy? Have gratitude for what you already have and give more to other people. Smile, help, hug and share. You cannot make someone else’s life better without improving your own.

A Better Way To Live

Well now you know how to improve your life. Those 17 rules are from Og Mandino’s book A Better Way to Live. I thought I’d share my interpretation of them with you. I suggest reading everyone of his books and I suggest grabbing my book too. It’ll change your perspective on many things in life only to make your life better.