Living Longer - 5 steps to a long lasting life

I guess this is one big issue for both men and women. Death is something we experience once in life, well, if you can still call it life after that, that is, hehe. But it is also something we don't know nothing about. Sure we imagine what might happen, we even look into religion or what other people say happens for a little relief that someday we will have to face that and leave everything we hold dear here while we are moving on.

Alas, this is not the situation, for right now, we aren't going to talk about death, we're going to talk about how to avoid death as long as possible.

There are two types of people in this world that live a long life:

1. Those that are happy and age doesn't reflect in them, just embracing of life and filling their hearts with joy until death finally takes them to the next level
2. Those that are unhappy, greedy, selfish, grumpy, needy, people that complain a lot, people that find comfort in other people's misery, people that are just plain evil.

If you are reading this then that means you can still choose for a long life, although hard, it's still an option you can take. While i do encourage change, if you decide that finding joy in others misery is worth it, then nothing's going to stop you and you will eventually lead a long life. Because let's face it, life isn't fair. It never has, it never will. If it was good people wouldn't die young, and evil ones wouldn't live so long.

But please, for the sake of trying new stuff, embrace others and try to help someone. You'll see that happiness can be attained through the warmth and presence of friends and family, that truly and genuinely cares about you.

Enough about that! Time to get to the real stuff!

Step 1 - Find yourself

It may seem like serious psychological analysis for some, but really, it's not. What this means is finding out who you are and what you like. Finding out if whatever choices you made in your life were worth it and if they reflect you in any way possible.

If it is so then you're on the right track. If not, then don't worry about it. There are enough things to worry about in this world as is, no need to worry about something extra. What's done is done, what's to come, now that's your choice!

However, if what you did doesn't reflect you, then what does? This is where the fun begins! For some this may be another chance at being in their 20s, for others this is the time for change. A time when you can rewrite some of your bad choices or change somethings in your life you just don't like.

Over the next few months, i want you to try new things, hey, why not go for the full year? Try various activities. Anything really, from gardening and interior design, to salsa dancing, singing and dating. There is no limit and no bad way to approach this. All you have to do is roll that first snowball to start the avalanche.

I know it can be very hard, but you have to try it, it's your life, your own. If you don't like something about it change it!

Step 2 - Embracing

Assuming you've found yourself, the next step is to accept who you are. This can be very hard for some people. Most of us are bound to certain life styles. Be it by our surroundings or by our family or friends. This is something we all have to go through sooner or later.

Don't get mad if somebody doesn't accept you at first. Your aim isn't to please those around you. Your aim is for you to live a long and happy life, and the only way to do that is to start tending to your own needs.

There are a few ways you can stand your ground against with both your old self and the environment around you, be it family, friends or your surrounding. Keep in mind that there is a time and place for anything. Your family or friends, even though they can be selfish or controlling, you have to understand that somewhere deep inside they love you, and change isn't something we take easily.

It's because of this that you should play your cards right. Nothing is accomplished by simply rushing through it. Take it slow. Prove to yourself that this is who you are, give yourself reasons to be proud of who you are and never, for one second, doubt that you're not entitled to having what you want.

After you've done that, ease the new you in your life. Trust me, if you change little by little, your family wouldn't even give you any trouble. Just take it easy, and if somebody confronts you, keep your calm, and show them that you're above it.

There's a saying a heard not too long ago. Granted it was from a tv series, but it's still a good saying:

The world is a much better place once you decide if you're the pin or the pin cushion!

Funny right? :D

Step 3 - Letting go of the old you

I'm sorry to say that this you can never do. Old you is part of new you. It's who you were, it's from what you've changed. Like it or not, you have to live with your past and accept it. There might be things from your old life that you liked doing. Hold onto those, they will ease your transition.

While some things you used to do will fade away and you'll eventually stop doing them, some will stick to you. Don't get mad over that. It's perfectly natural to keep doing what you like. Just be sure that you're not crossing over too much in what used to be old you.

So, as you will easily move on with your life, what was till now will slowly but surelly become just mear memories. Do not think bad of that. Optimism is a thing we all have to hold dear to our hearts in order to live long. If you don't have it, then surround yourself with people that have it.

If your life till now was something you don't want to remember, then i'm sorry. I truly am, and if by change you feel the need to talk about it, hey, you can always count on me. Just remember that the future can be bright, and there is nothing you can't do.

Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage -- it can be delightful.

                                                                     George Bernard Shaw

Step 4 - Removing negativity

         Negativity

Throughout my life, i have had some very negative influences. I often found myself surrounded by pure hatred, and even sadder, all that within my family. I've never taken notice of what others think of me. If they're not worth anything to me, then their thoughts worth nothing to me.

But family... family is family! You can't live without it. You don't choose your family, you're just stuck with them. Even now my heart weeps when i feel the hatred that's still present within. Me, i'm a family man. I enjoy love my family, i want them close to me even though some have turned on me for reasons that are so stupid that i don't even dare say them. But i still love them. I know that sooner or later they will turn around and notice what they have.

Alas, you're done with filling your heart with sorrow, filling your mind with bad thoughts and images. You are done surrounding yourself by hatred. Time to move on. Change can be hard, but it is rewarding. Take whatever steps you have to. Stop watching the news if it's too sad. Stop listening to bad people.

Stop surrounding yourself with negativity!

        Optimism

Although it's hard to believe, miracles still happens these days. You don't believe me? Then why not go to the homeless shelter and help however you can. You'll see the miracle of a good deed. Go to the retirement home and you'll see that a simple smile, hug, or even pat on the back can bring fourth something you actually might need: warmth.

It's something we cant find so easily. There are too many things that keep us busy these days. They keep us so busy that we sometimes forget that were humans. We forget that others have it worse then us and that there are few simple and easy things we can actually help.

Think about it for a second. When was the last time you did a selfless act of kindness? When was the last time you gave a smile to someone who needed it? We are humans, we are one. Whether we accept it or not, on the long run, we will only survive if we help each other.

Start hanging around with people that share a bright side of life. Say yes to life and take a  chance!

       Love

If you haven't found it yet. I promise you that if you follow these steps you will find love. It's simple laws of attraction really: if bad attracts bad, then good can only attract good.

If you encounter someone who says that you're worthless, that you won't ever be loved, that happiness will elude you, do NOT listen to that person. Nobody has the right to take that away from you. You are your own master. Use that to your advantage and fight for what is rightfully yours.

Remember that you're a human being, your actions should do that for you. If they don't then you're doing it wrong. Don't worry, nobody does change from the first try, it takes time, just be patient and keep trying till you get it. I'm sure you'll do it!

Step 5 - Enjoy life

The final step is in front of you. Now all you have to do is keep your bearings straight. In order to do this you have to follow a set of personal rules and principles. Both moral and ethical principles are needed for one to live a good life. You don't know exactly what that means? Well it's easy. It means finding out what you don't want to ever happen to you and how you want to be treated by others and apply it in your actions towards others.

I never said these steps will be easy ones. I never said that it won't be hard and that won't be any sacrifices to be made. But you tell me if there is something precious in this world that's achieved in an easy manner. Something that just about anybody can get without even lifting a finger.

There are a few things that will help you change:

• never forget why you're doing what you do, write it on the ceiling above your bed if you have to
• there are others like you out there, look for them
• there's always me! :D
  

As an incentive to this small little guide, i will throw in a more of a personal touch then the rest of my hubs. Try these steps, make the change and share your experience with just me or with the rest of the readers of this page and i will give you a prize. Something that nobody else will get from me. Something that's basically unique in this world.

Good luck my friend!

Random act of kindness - You'll find what you will need here

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