Top Tips for a Happy Life

Okay, I know you're not supposed to do more than one tip per post, but may I please? I was locked up all alone for 12 hours, 2 nights in a row, and a third night tomorrow? tonight... Ha, not really locked up. But it is the land of the dead as far as cell phones go, but I could use it to write and save them...

I'll just do Tip 283.
a) Have faith in yourself! - a million reasons to do so!
b) Be exuberant! - it is contagious!
c) Encourage others, for it comes back to you tenfold just a guess.
d) Keep a clear and positive mind in everything you do. Stands for itself.

okay and an almost totally unrelated
e) Practice staring at things very far away. Example, go to a quiet place in the woods and stare at treetops, clouds, etc. Sound boring? Then don't do it. However, it's good for your eyes, mind/body, and a great focus exercise.

oh and I forgot to save this one but I remembered anyway
Sing!

Not sure if that one's been mentioned :P

Tip 284: When you are getting older, resist the inclination to narrow your preferences. You won't always get your preference however old you are, and you'll be happy with what you get.

Tip 285 - Dust down and play those old classic games like chess and scrabble.

Tip 286: Exercise.

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Originally Posted by Vonny

But for me, I need to feel that there's some merit to the opposing side, even if it's not what I personally believe in.

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There's always merit to both sides. How often do you find an issue that's completely black and white? Maybe baby killing I guess, but beyond that I can't think of anything.

Tip 287: Get used to using a variety of web browsers to perform different tasks on the internet, and let this be a reflection of your overall adaptability to the changing circumstances of life which, like the slippery amphibian it is, will keep on trying to evade your heroic efforts to get a handle, (organic or inorganic depending on the type of "amphibian"), on it.

Tip 288: Stop talking and start listening. (This is mainly self directed)

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

Tip 288: Stop talking and start listening. (This is mainly self directed)

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Well it's one of the best advices there are, so any of us could benefit from it I'm sure. I know I do.

Tip #289 - Steal basketballs, but time it just right so that if caught out it looks like a Halloween prank :)

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Originally Posted by MystyrMystyry

Tip #289 - Steal basketballs, but time it just right so that if caught out it looks like a Halloween prank :)

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But you can only do it once a year then!

Tip 290: Don't waste your money on unheard of horror films on the offchance that they might just be an unrecognised gem waiting to be discovered. Any gem in the horror film genre is recognised imediately as the genre is already stuffed full of cheap, shock horror, young college kids in peril, gore-stands-for-tension/justifies-no-story rubbish. Don't do it. The horror is in the money and time you've wasted. Don't. Just don't. Perhaps if we all don't, they'll stop.

I did recently - three times. Never again. (Unless it's from the poundshop. They are selling classic horrors at the poundshop like "The Thing". I know that one's ok.)

Tip 291: Cultivate your interests and hobbies. You might be lucky and end up doing what you love as a job. If not, they will take your mind far away from your work and into the land of no stress.

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Originally Posted by NikolaiI

But you can only do it once a year then!

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April !st, and Christmas, and Easter, and Steal Next door Kids' Basketballs Day -whatever it takes until they get the message!

Tip #230 - Kill your crazy landlord* - Self-explanatory really, and I've decided on the method (it involves a highly poisonous spider - I'll get back to you on this)


*Actually it only takes three signatures, so this may be a bit dramatic

Tip 231 Always have a good dog when gathering sheep

Otherwise you risk an apoplectic fit:incazzato:.

Tip 232: He who hesitates is lost, but look before you leap. Also, many hands make light labor, but too many cooks spoil the broth.

Tip 233: If life gives you lemons then make lemon sorbet or something a bit fancier than lemonade, after all it pays to be an overachiever.

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Originally Posted by Ecurb

Tip 232: He who hesitates is lost, but look before you leap. Also, many hands make light labor, but too many cooks spoil the broth.

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Now THIS deserves a good thumb chopping.

Tip No #292 - Carpet covered in 'unshiftable' old coffee, red wine, and various enigmatic stains? No worries: they come right out with a damp microfibre cloth! (N.B. Only tested on artificial fibre rug - natural fibre may have more permanent stain absorbent qualities)

Tip No #293 - Change the bag in your vaccum cleaner (or empty the old one to save money) to regain the suction power - it really works!

Tip 294 - Have a 'healthy week' now and then; it's probably good for you.

These come now and then for me, usually after having too many beers or over-indulging with food (or both). I'm doing one now, though the odds are it will only last while about Thursday at the latest.

With so many tips and clues required, having a happy life feels like an awfully challenging task...

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Originally Posted by Neely

Tip 294 - Have a 'healthy week' now and then; it's probably good for you.

These come now and then for me, usually after having too many beers or over-indulging with food (or both). I'm doing one now, though the odds are it will only last while about Thursday at the latest.

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Snap! I'm off the booze and have been for 10 days. I am also doing a lot of walking and have cut down on my meagre food intake to the extent that I am able to wear my clothes much more comfortably than previously. There are few things that give more satisfaction than reaching into the wardrobe and finding a jacket that, having become too tight to wear, now fits perfectly. A few weeks ago, I had a hard session with the whisky and wine and the following day determined to do something about it. I am now contemplating a pair of winter waking boots so that I am able to continue fighting the flab over the coming months.The other noticeable benefit is feeling lighter and able to move more quickly. There is no doubt that carrying excess weight is a strain on the heart and also looks disgusting.

10 days is a long time without booze. Do you feel any better for it?

When I cut down or go a few days without beer I have to substitute it with something else as I still need to drink a couple of pints of something instead. I've gone for some raspberry and apple juice, proper stuff not cheap dilute, which is quite refreshing. Hopefully it will help to keep my head clear this week.

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With so many tips and clues required, having a happy life feels like an awfully challenging task...

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I know it's complicated stuff. I'm sure there's a tip about keeping things simple somewhere, if not we should add it because it's a good one.

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Originally Posted by Emil Miller

Snap! I'm off the booze and have been for 10 days. I am also doing a lot of walking and have cut down on my meagre food intake to the extent that I am able to wear my clothes much more comfortably than previously. There are few things that give more satisfaction than reaching into the wardrobe and finding a jacket that, having become too tight to wear, now fits perfectly. A few weeks ago, I had a hard session with the whisky and wine and the following day determined to do something about it. I am now contemplating a pair of winter waking boots so that I am able to continue fighting the flab over the coming months.The other noticeable benefit is feeling lighter and able to move more quickly. There is no doubt that carrying excess weight is a strain on the heart and also looks disgusting.

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hehe! I'm glad to see this tip.

I know that alcohol is a hard drug, but honestly when I come here and see this: :cheers2: it cheers me up, somehow. It's kind of funny to see you guys partying. (not that I'm partaking myself.)

However, I think it is good to let yourself "dry out" completely from time to time, or on a regular basis, at least for a couple of days. That way you never need to worry about becoming addicted, and your body can restore its depleted nutrients.

And also, when these things are an occasional "treat", be it drinks, candy or whatever, it's much more enjoyable than if we make a steady diet of it. I bet you learned this growing up, Emil! (Raise a child a certain way and he returns to it, as Emil is here.) It's one of those things "old school" parents used to teach.

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Originally Posted by Neely

10 days is a long time without booze. Do you feel any better for it?

When I cut down or go a few days without beer I have to substitute it with something else as I still need to drink a couple of pints of something instead. I've gone for some raspberry and apple juice, proper stuff not cheap dilute, which is quite refreshing. Hopefully it will help to keep my head clear this week.

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It's a bit like giving up smoking in that there's a tendency to feel pretty down to start with but it seems to get easier with time. I definitely feel better physically i.e. not so sluggish, although I don't sleep so well and am subject to even weirder dreams than usual e.g. Last night I was telling someone that WS Maugham attended Dr.Niehans clinic in Switzerland for rejuvenating injections of sheep's glands in order that he could retain an erection. Now this is true, but in the dream, Maugham was standing nearby listening.
I tend to drink soft drinks as a substitute for alcohol and, in line with my walking regime, I walk about a mile to a coffee bar two or three times a week and sit outside reading a French newspaper; trying to imagine (unsuccessfully) that I'm in Paris.
However, although they are a welcome escape from the old plonkers who infest the pubs, coffee houses are regularly invaded by women with baby buggys who, thankfully, insist on going inside.
After an hour reading the news, I then do a bit of shopping and walk the mile back to the underground station.
I will try to keep the regime going for as long as possible just to see if I get to the stage where I'm able look down and see my belt buckle; so there's still some way to go.

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Originally Posted by Scheherazade

With so many tips and clues required, having a happy life feels like an awfully challenging task...

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You only need one tip really...
#295 - Lower your expectations...no, Lower...LOooowerrr....

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Originally Posted by blithe spirit

You only need one tip really...
#295 - Lower your expectations...no, Lower...LOooowerrr....

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I have come to find this essential in my line of work. I was offering the same advice to some trainees the other day.

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Originally Posted by Emil Miller

It's a bit like giving up smoking in that there's a tendency to feel pretty down to start with but it seems to get easier with time. I definitely feel better physically i.e. not so sluggish, although I don't sleep so well and am subject to even weirder dreams than usual e.g. Last night I was telling someone that WS Maugham attended Dr.Niehans clinic in Switzerland for rejuvenating injections of sheep's glands in order that he could retain an erection. Now this is true, but in the dream, Maugham was standing nearby listening.
I tend to drink soft drinks as a substitute for alcohol and, in line with my walking regime, I walk about a mile to a coffee bar two or three times a week and sit outside reading a French newspaper; trying to imagine (unsuccessfully) that I'm in Paris.
However, although they are a welcome escape from the old plonkers who infest the pubs, coffee houses are regularly invaded by women with baby buggys who, thankfully, insist on going inside.
After an hour reading the news, I then do a bit of shopping and walk the mile back to the underground station.
I will try to keep the regime going for as long as possible just to see if I get to the stage where I'm able look down and see my belt buckle; so there's still some way to go.

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Ha, I love the dream, sounds like one of Freud's case studies. It sounds like you've got a good routine going there as well.

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Originally Posted by Emil Miller

I tend to drink soft drinks as a substitute for alcohol

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I've done this too, some, since I quit alcohol. (I tend to let them freeze, as I used to the beer!) I get one that's made with sugar and not high-fructose. It really tastes better. Then I split a 12-ounce bottle with my friend. There's so much diabetes in this country, (land of soda pop) that it's horrifying.

Tip 296: Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself once in a while. To much severity is the other side of the indulgent coin.

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Originally Posted by papayahed

Tip 296: Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself once in a while. To much severity is the other side of the indulgent coin.

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Don't laugh at yourself all the time either.

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Originally Posted by Vonny

I've done this too, some, since I quit alcohol. (I tend to let them freeze, as I used to the beer!) I get one that's made with sugar and not high-fructose. It really tastes better. Then I split a 12-ounce bottle with my friend. There's so much diabetes in this country, (land of soda pop) that it's horrifying.

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Drinking soft drinks as a substitute doesn't mean I like soft drinks as such but it fills in the gap that's left by the times when I would normally drink beer etc.
To my mind, soft drinks are not particularly appetizing.

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Originally Posted by Emil Miller

Drinking soft drinks as a substitute doesn't mean I like soft drinks as such but it fills in the gap that's left by the times when I would normally drink beer etc.
To my mind, soft drinks are not particularly appetizing.

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This brings us back to ...

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Originally Posted by Lokasenna

Tip 57: There is no such thing as 'too much tea'.

10:30 in the morning, and I'm on my fourth cup. Life is good, and the world seems manageable!

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And don't forget sparkling water. Do you have Talking Rain in the UK? Oh I shouldn't advertise. Any will do.

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Originally Posted by Vonny

This brings us back to ...



And don't forget sparkling water. Do you have Talking Rain in the UK?

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It sure does, I drink quite a lot of tea during the day but not usually at night which was when I used to drink beer etc.

I haven't seen (heard ?) Talking Rain in the UK but there are plenty of alternatives.

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Originally Posted by LadyLuck

Tip 233: If life gives you lemons then make lemon sorbet or something a bit fancier than lemonade, after all it pays to be an overachiever.

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Reminded me of one from the book of Ron White.

Tip #297: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And then try to find someone who's life is giving them vodka, and have a party.

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Originally Posted by kevinthediltz

Reminded me of one from the book of Ron White.

Tip #297: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And then try to find someone who's life is giving them vodka, and have a party.

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:cheers2:

We need more of these for all the different forms of alcohol. We need a 'tipping vodka bottle' emoticon! We also need a marijuana one, (for those in Amsterdam, of course.)

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Originally Posted by kevinthediltz

Reminded me of one from the book of Ron White.

Tip #297: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And then try to find someone who's life is giving them vodka, and have a party.

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haha, I was reminded of that saying as well but I couldn't remember the comedian.

At a previous job we made a list much like this, the only one I can remember is:

When done playing with your putty put it away lest it get hard.

:cornut:

Perhaps an explanation is in order. We made homemade silly putty and somebody left it out one night and when we came in the next day it was a rock. However, this can be expanded I think it can apply to many things.

Another I just remembered:

Tip #299: Something that is almost infinitely improbable is actually extremely likely to happen almost immediately.

Douglas Adams gets credit for this one. :)

Happiness:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0SbVFxl64A

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Originally Posted by MarkBastable

So you're laughing at the way foreigners speak. Isn't that a bit...you know...racist? I mean, I don't care myself, but apparently there are people with scary avatars policing the forum, and you might find that you're drawing some attention.

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Racist? Wow, that's extreme. In fact it's:icon_bs:

^...Vonny?