Life is something to be cherished and explored. The many avenues before each person everyday, should be considered and reconsidered before embarking on the one thing that seems familiar and comfortable.

Taking a cleansing breath before setting a foot on the cold floor of morning may make all the difference in the world. If you decide that today is going to be a good day no matter what happens, then chances are that attitude is going to be conveyed to all that you are in contact with. If you have an honest to goodness "feel good" approach to all of the people you see, things are going to be that much better for you all.

Try looking at your situation with the eyes of a child. Ask yourself and others all of those annoying little questions that creep into your thoughts. Chances are, a different perspective will enlighten you and help you through uncreative and unmotivated moments.

Step outside your world and look at those around you. We've become a society focused on "me" and have become oblivious to the people around us. Go up to that new employee and ask him about his family and career choices. What have you got to lose? You may find true and honest friendships right on the other side of that cubicle divider.

Read. Read. Read. And I don't mean newspapers, magazines, and web articles. Pick up a book from the library or off your own shelf and make a commitment to read twenty minutes each day. I bet you will end up reading much more than that. Reading allows you to become engrossed in a world that has nothing to do with you. And that, my friend, is one of the most refreshing feelings you'll ever have.

Spend time with your family. Go for a bike ride, have a picnic in the backyard, take turns reading stories, take a Sunday drive to nowhere. Sitting around talking about nothing in particular will help you understand the type of people your family has become. If every conversation is confrontational and nerve-racking you will only find the defensive sides of those closest to your heart. Turn off the television, let the computers collect a little dust and allow the answering machine to do all of your talking. Time with your family will always be the thing missed most when you're older.

Be honest. And I don't mean tactless. Honesty among your friends and family may seem like something completely natural but if there is something eating away at you, you need to expose that sore and let others help you. If work is bothering you, don't keep it bottled up, you've got to let people know. Because they will know eventually and by then it may be too late to do anything about it. Your unhappiness will eventually be felt by your co-workers, friends, and most importantly, by your family.

Having a healthy lifestyle will lead to a healthy outlook on life. Grab a piece of fruit instead of that goody from the vending machine. Of course, we all have moments when we want nothing more but to eat our problems away but if you are doing that and are conscious that you are eating because you are upset, moody, happy, etc. then that's a major step to a healthy lifestyle.

Find a true appreciation for the arts. People who allow themselves the time to study and admire art, seem to be better adjusted, emotionally. Take the kids to an art museum or exhibit at your local high school. It will open up new avenues of conversation and you might find something special to hang on your walls.

Don't think so much before you speak. Many times, I've witnessed people wanting to say something but refrain from doing so because they thought better of it. This of course goes back to the honesty statement. There is a time and a place for everything but if you refrain from speaking because you feel inadequate, speak up. That's the only way you are ever going to learn anything. I'd imagine that in most cases, you will find someone willing to explain, listen, co-operate, and appreciate your saying something.

Discover a passion within yourself and expand on it in every way possible. This is probably the single most important and most difficult task anyone can take on. Take a college course in something that may have triggered your imagination in the past but you found that there was no profit in it or that your chosen career path led you away from previous dreams. Pursue something that opens up another venue in your way of thinking. Maybe artists should take that Calculus course or the MBA grad should look into drama. You never know where your hidden talents may rest or whether or not you could actually do something more exciting and challenging unless you decide to walk away from the beaten path.

So that's it. It's just a short list to get you started and maybe it will help you make a few minor changes on your path to becoming happy with yourself. Have fun!