If at first you don’t succeed give up immediately. Move on to something else until that becomes unbearable. Then circle back to the first problem. By now, your subconscious will have worked on it and you are ready to go. 

I don’t know much but I do know…

• Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
• Make misteaks.

• Make more mistakes.

• Spontaneity.

• Alcohol will never love you back.

• Don’t gamble if you are pissed at losing $20.

• Put your phone away.

• Are people happy when you walk in or walk out?

• If you wear cologne, it should leave when you leave.

• Respect your parents.

• Always carry cash. 
• How can you ever grow old and wise if you were never young and crazy? 
• Never stay out after 2AM more than two nights in a row, unless it is

  epic.

• Ignore the people who shout you down. They’re probably coming from the cheap seats.
• Don’t tell anyone that you hate working there. If you’re still there after three months, they’ll know you are ignorant for staying on.
• Life is stressful. Be kind to others. 
• Drunk and funny guy isn’t funny anymore. 
• Tip more when it is deserved. 
• You don’t have to know everything, but you should understand a little about something.
• Don’t skimp on sunglasses. 
• Learn how to play backgammon. 
• Don’t stop dating your loved one. 
• Your job does not define you.
• Nobody cares where you went to school. 
• Never wear another man’s jersey.
• Have your drink order ready when the bartender asks. 
• When a bartender buys you a round, tip double. 
• Do meditation and sit-ups before you shower every morning.
• Replace socks and underwear every six months. 
• Earn their trust by keeping their secret.
• Have at least one good joke ready to go.
• Eat brunch with friends.
• Act like you’ve been there before. Confidence. 
• Don’t split a check.
• Never cancel plans by text. 
• Nobody cares if you are offended. 
• Use your camera more, not your phone. 
• Know how to defend yourself.
• Don’t skimp on a razor.
• Always bring something to the party.
• Compare yourself to your past, not to others. 
• Always have that go-to recipe. 
• Get outdoors. Often. 
• Eating out alone is great. Find a quiet place to think.
• Use your luggage. 
• Use your passport. 
• Of course you buy her dinner. 
• Short and sweet is always the best. 
• Know when you are wrong and admit it. 
• Monotonous, isn’t it?
• Never be the first or the last one in the pool. 
• Close friends over too many acquaintances.
• Order the salad instead of the fries.
• Share your dessert.
• Read more.
• You are still better off than most who have ever lived.
• Don’t be afraid to ask.
• Support artists by spending money on them.
• You don’t need that last glass. really.
• Open her door.
• Go sweat with someone.
• Buy local.
• Find a favorite jazz artist.
• Don’t stay angry.

Every saint has a past.

Every sinner has a future.

Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Bruce Banner or Hulk? Harvey Dent or Two-Face?

Or in my situation, the Free Spirit or the Recluse.

All of us have at least two distinctive personalities inside of us. Mine is the free spirit which thrives on new experiences, loathes routine, discipline and wants to learn new things for fear of growing stagnant.

The
recluse in me seeks the stability of a comfortable routine, finds that new experiences are tiring and doesn’t care about what is next.

The day after Christmas found me sending an email and then return a package. After that, I was lazy. Could care less abut anything else and it felt good to lay on the couch and watch a movie or read one of my new books. If I try that later today I would probably feel the walls closing in and have to get outdoors.

What to do? Should I find comfort on the familiar road or should I stray from the path and expand the horizon? Re-experience the reliable?

In the past I felt torn between the two. I am learning to come to terms and accept both characteristics. 

GET OVER IT

When I am in a mood or uninspired, I know myself well enough on how to change improve it. These aren’t revelations, just simple reminders.

Thankfulness: You’ve had worse. Try recalling those worse moments and then remember that “this” isn’t that bad.

Meditation: I’ve discovered mindfulness and self-awareness by taking the time to stop and listen. Listen to what my mind and body are telling me. Beneficial for short fixes and long term habits.

Sleep: My sleep hours are all over the place and this needs to change. Finding a consistent sleep schedule is crucial.

Help Someone Else: It isn’t always about you. You can snap out of your funk by helping them get out of yours. Go do something for them or simply call/write to them and let them know you care and want to help.

Bite-sized: Your to-do list may be too big. That means it is overwhelming. This puts you into a funk. Shrink your tasks to something attainable which in turn, creates bite-sized wins to keep you going.

Change Something: You’re stuck in a rut. Get out of it by changing your routine. Eat something new, listen to a podcast instead of your same music playlist. Heck, even try silence. Walk around the grocery store a different path than the usual. With all these we might find something we haven’t discovered before and benefit.

Get Out: I am a big fan of wandering. Mindful walking with no destination. That’ll cure what ails you. Solvitur ambulando is Latin for “it is solved by walking.”

Get Active: Everyone knows that exercise improves anxiety, depression and brain power. Go workout already. Stretch yourself with yoga, take a hike or pump those pedals.

Socialize: Most of us can always rely on family, friends or a pet to spend some time with. They understand you and you can be yourself around them. We are in a connected, social world and yet we feel enclosed and funky. Take advantage of these resources.

All of these are beneficial when applied which means you’ll need to apply the maximum amount of will to get there. So even if you are wired, tired or uninspired this still depends on you to change the situation. After that, we’ll be back to normal. Whatever normal looks like.