The other day I wrote down my top 10 rules for life. I don’t know why, I just did. I decided to share them with you.

Lindsey’s Top 10 Rules for LIFE

1. Always wash your hands after you go big potty. And if you are a boy, ALWAYS wash your hands after ANY potty.

2. Smile A LOT. Smile at people you know, people you don’t know, when you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you have everything in the world to smile about, and when you think you have nothing to smile about.

3. Laugh loudly and heartily. Don’t pay attention to people around. Don’t care if they look at you-just belt it out!

4. Eat good food. Make your mouth happy. If your mouth is half as busy as mine, you most definitely will want to make it happy.

5. Randomly give people notes, cards, or little gifts. It warms your heart and theirs as well. But do it for no special reason or occasion. Just because.

6. Try new things. Get different types of experiences. Maybe this means travel or try different types of food or go scuba diving or horseback riding or backpacking in the mountains or reading a different genre of books than you normally would. But push yourself and get out of your comfort zone. A LOT.

7. Budget. And give. Budget SO THAT you can give. Give more than 10%. Give to the charities you love and believe in and support people however you can. And budget to stay out of debt. It’s easier than you think.

8. Read books and discuss them with people. Have a book club if you can. Challenge your mind and apply what you learn to your life. And always share your thoughts.

9. Listen to people. Not just your friends. Anyone who needs to be listened to. Even if it is a “weirdo” that randomly comes up to you in the middle of Waterloo station to start telling you about her sick brother. She obviously needs someone to listen to her-so do it-and be kind about it. Don’t act annoyed or too busy.

10. Never forget to PRAISE God for any and every thing. Realize your blessings-even if its nothing but running water or a bed or sunshine or shoes or a friend or a new day. Take NOTHING for granted. You’ve got it made. :-)