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6. Cultivate your strengths

When you work to develop your inner strengths, you:

• polish your diamond and stop singing the blues
• will become more confident, optimistic and focused. The more developed your strengths, the more likely you are to aspire to higher goals and achieve a life of great satisfaction and joy.

My favorite analogy is one used by Edward Anderson and Donald O. Clifton. In their book, Soar With Your Strengths, they say: 'Talents are like diamonds in the rough and strengths are diamonds that show brilliance after they have been carefully cut and polished. Just as finished diamonds start as diamonds in the rough, strengths start as talents. And just as rough diamonds are naturally found in the earth, talents are naturally found within you. But while diamonds are refined with blades and polishing wheels, strengths are produced when talents are refined with knowledge and skills.'

7. Let go of the past

The benefits of letting go of the past are enormous. Psychological research is finding that being a forgiving person is essential to happiness. Even when someone wrongs you, feeling anger or hatred only causes your life to descend into misery and resentment. You are the one who suffers, not the person with whom you're angry. Forgiving, on the other hand, can lift the burden. When Buddha and Jesus and other great spiritual figures taught us to forgive those who sin against us, they weren't just pronouncing holy philosophy, rather, they were giving practical down-to-earth life advice.

There is no question that you will be more satisfied with your life and will be less likely to experience symptoms of psychological distress, such as nervousness, restlessness and sadness if you let go of past traumas and disappointments. Researchers now believe that letting go of grudges may fortify the heart and the immune system. "When you're stuck in a grudge, you're isolated in your own suffering," says Fred Luskin, Ph.D., author of Forgive for Good and director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project. "The long-term damage to the cardiovascular system from bitterness and resentment is clearly established."

8. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

'If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.'
~ Meiser Echart

When you express gratitude and appreciation for everything in your life, you:

• give yourself a great and wonderful gift. Being grateful lifts your spirit, it helps you to renew, reflect and reconnect with yourself. You'll notice you start appreciating ordinary things and realize that every day is a gift. An attitude of gratitude will hold you together even when you are in the midst of struggles and hardships.
• maintain that sense of thankfulness for life, for the chance to experience each day's sunrise. This will keep you in positive thinking mode.
• have greater confidence and higher self-esteem. .
• will be richer and happier and you will appreciate all the abundant gifts you have.

9. Contribute to society and make a difference

As you continue creating a positive outlook on life, you will realize the importance of making a difference by giving back to your community. Giving back in terms of donations, volunteering, contributing, mentoring or just listening to a friend will make a huge difference in your life.

The benefits of giving back to society cannot be measured. When you give back by serving others you will feel a rewarding sense of fulfillment in return. The satisfaction you get from helping others will enhance your mental attitude and you will enjoy greater prosperity.

10. Take great care of yourself'

You are the greatest miracle and the most unique individual ever created. When you take care of yourself, you:

• stop singing the blues and appreciate this beautiful gift you have been given.
• will take your life and yourself more seriously. The more focus you place on you, the more joy you will feel.
• will feel fully alive, vibrant and rich.
• will feel in control, confident, and connected to your life's purpose.
• will truly put your own needs first, you will build a reserve of energy and a safeguard against burnout.
• will become more productive and energized.
• will develop a habit of daily renewal. The feeling of being of purpose will inspire you to new heights - some you never dreamed possible.
• will always be focused on your well-being, on what's most important to you. You will spend your day doing what matters most.

When you stop singing the blues, you will truly know what it is to love yourself, the greatest gift of all...when you love yourself you are honoring the very nature of the human heart -- your source of life.