Doctor Oz has talked for years about the importance of sleep and how we need to create peaceful surroundings to achieve our much-needed 7-9 hours of good, solid, sound sleep.

He recommends . . . NO . . . TV in the bedroom and I agree. He recommends all electronics OFF an hour before bedtime. I think he is correct, but even 30 minutes will make a huge difference. I enjoy a quiet time to read in the living room; NOT in bed. My chiropractor explained to me years ago the damage I was doing to my neck and shoulders when I read in bed. Stopped that.

I think the most important part of my journey to peaceful living began ten years ago when I stopped watching the news. I even stopped watching the morning shows because of the hot topics they want to scandalize. All the hype and hysteria doesn't solve any of our political or cultural problems. It only acerbates them. I don't want that negative energy in my space.
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From my grandmother, I learned to put things back where I found them and to put them away cleaner than I found them. Doing so eliminates lots of stress trying to find things when you need them. It also saves lots of time when you don't have to stop and clean the item you need to use.
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From my Great-Aunt Lilly, a spinster schoolteacher, I learned to make a to-do-list, and of how rewarding it was to check off each item when completed. I get so tickled at the people, yes, women as well as men, who have to call someone on their cell phone while in the grocery aisle describing every brand and size of toilet paper or can of beans they need to buy. I am tempted to nudge them and let them know they can still buy paper and pencils.

Cell phones, now I know I'll rankle your ire with this one. I need to tell you up front, I am probably the last inhabitant on the planet who does not own one and certainly never wants one. I live a well-organized and plan-ahead life and don't need one.

IF I had a job that required I slap one on my hip, it would certainly be turned off most of the time. Even physicians can turn it off except for the few hours they are on call.

Turn if off when you are driving, eating a meal, having face-to-face time with a friend or family member. Would you have the courtesy to have it shut off if you were in a conference with your boss? Does your family not deserve the same respect?

And, please TAKE it OUTSIDE when you are in a public space. I don't want to hear you babble. Now you are stressing me out and you don't have the right to do that. That privilege is reserved for family and my boss. Common courtesy, respect for others, and a little civility go a long way to making life less stressful for everyone.

To the good stuff . . . listen to music you enjoy, write a book, get involved in a project that brings you satisfaction, volunteer with a worthwhile organization, go for a walk, join an exercise class, take up a hobby - painting, coin or stamp collecting, clean out your closet, clear off your desk, call a friend, send a letter to a loved one far away. Please remember this appropriate quote from Alan Cohen:

"The less you believe you have to do, the more you achieve what you need to do."

Even more importantly, remember this quote from Helen Keller:

"Reach out your hands and feel the sunbeams."

In closing, this from Martha Beck:

"I can't say I look forward to the failures that await me. But they'll be along in no time, so I feel lucky to know what to do when each one arrives. It will work for you too. Un-scrunch. Exhale. Let go of "Oh, no!" and embrace "Oh, well..." Then, whatever door opens, walk through it."

Of course, one hobby could be to collect quotes that make you feel good!