Some great ideas

These are taken from Carol McNeill's blog written when reached 60 who's of course only a youngster when compared to me, But never-the less I agree with 90% of what she recommends especially the buying the best chocolate you cn find. Steer clear of Cadbury's if you can: I favour Amatller 85% Cacao Ghana which I buy here in Ulverston. And of course : smile or better still carry along with you everywhere a wicked sense of humour that turns adversity into fun, as practised by our amazing local councillor Pat Jones

Here goes, thanks Carol:

1.  Drink more water. Seems obvious, since the average adult body is made up of 50-60% water. However, for years I almost never drank water. Tea, yes. Coffee, yes. But rarely did I down a glass of water. Now that I drink six to eight glasses a day, it makes all the difference. My skin, clarity of mind, digestion, and regularity have all improved dramatically as a result of adding pure, fresh drinking water to my daily routine.
2. Practice yoga and meditation every day. I can’t explain it, other than to say it’s about everything that we are…physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
3. Spend time outdoors every day observing nature. It makes you realize that you’re a small but integral part of something vast and amazing.
4. Have a dog as your best friend. Because if you have a dog, it WILL be your best friend… no judgment, no questions, no conditions. BFF...(here I choose to borrow other people's dogs and try to get them to become their friend as well which is far more difficult- personally I prefer the rewards of real people who are far more difficult but many times more rewarding when they work- a far riskier business)
5. Appreciate fine art, music, and literature. Go to art museums and concerts regularly, and read the classics again. It’s all so much better when you’re grown up and you don’t have to do it for a grade.
6. Keep a vase of fresh flowers on your table or desk. Daisies are my favorite. Watch the flower scene from the classic, cult film, Harold and Maude (click for link) and you’ll know why I love daisies, and why Maude is one of my favorite role models for growing up, but never, ever, growing old.
7. This one you might find odd, but here goes. Discover the nuances of fine tea. Read The Book of Tea, by Okakura Kakuzo. (click for link) Learn to prepare and savor a proper cup of tea...as opposed to dunking a poor quality tea bag in a cup of tepid water and slamming it down on the way out the door. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. (water is number one) Tea is an art, and the ritual of drinking tea is incredibly rewarding. It really is a form of meditation. Check out this link to my favorite go-to website for fabulous teas. www.bellocq.com
8. Learn something about all cultures...their beliefs, rituals, philosophies, religions, etc. You don’t have to agree with, approve of, or accept what you discover. All you have to do is make the effort to open your mind just enough to comprehend their way of thinking, regardless of how ill-conceived you think that is. Fear and hate hurt the fearful and the hateful, as much as they hurt the feared and the hated.
9. And last, but not least, smile :-)...and always eat the best quality chocolate you can afford. My favorite is right here in Dallas. www.dudesweetchocolate.com (click for link) Don't live in Dallas? You can still smile, because they ship!