You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life

211 Pages·2007·11.54 MB·English

by  Alexandra Stoddard

You Are Your Choices
6
50 Ways to Live the Good Life
Alexandra Stoddard

:
TO MY THREE PRECIOUS GRANDCHILDREN
All my love to Nicholas, Anna, and Lily
BIG MOMMY
The choice of a certain way of life . . . demands from the individual
a total change of lifestyle, a conversion of one’s entire being, and ultimately
a certain desire to be and live in a certain way.
PIERRE HODOT
Contents
Epigraph
An Invitation 1
1. Every Day, Commit Yourself to Experiencing the Good Life 4
2. Be True to All Your Choices 9
3. Be Responsible—Say No 12
4. Stand On Your Own Two Feet 15
5. Information Is Not Inspiration 19
6. Take Satisfaction in Doing the Right Thing 22
7. Go After What You Love 25
8. Have Realistic Expectations 29
9. Live from the Inside Out 33
10. Celebrate Simple Ceremonies 36
11. Reevaluate Your Priorities Regularly 43
12. Have as Few Regrets as Possible 48
13. Leave the Safe Harbor 52
14. Who Knows, It Might Be Good 57
15. Redefine What Is Beautiful 61
16. The Power of Flowers 67
17. Share the Beauty 72
18. Live with the Objects You Love 75
19. Why Not Be Comfortable? 80
20. Maintain Balance Through Your Choices 84
21. Cultivate Good Energy 87
22. Cheap Thrills Are Thrilling 91
23. You Own Your Self 95
24. Stop Complaining 98
25. Accept Responsibility 101
Contents vi
26. Be Aware 104
27. Your Choices Count Most in a Crisis 107
28. Faster Isn’t Better 109
29. Reach Out—Literally 113
30. Privacy Please 116
31. A Free Day for You 119
32. Good Design Matters 122
33. Enough Is Enough 125
34. Give Yourself Time 130
35. Get Going 134
36. Embrace Variety 138
37. Move On 143
38. Walk Away 147
39. See the Big in the Little 150
40. Surround Yourself with People You Trust 154
41. Intuition Is Your Guiding Light 157
42. Never Say Never 160
43. Understand the Law of Cause and Effect 162
44. Choose Love for Yourself and Others 165
45. Do More Things That Make You Happy 168
46. Trust Your Subjective Well-Being 171
47. Avoid Perfection in Pursuit of Excellence 176
48. Get Organized 181
49. Why Not Now? 186
50. Wise Choices, Yes, and Good Luck 190
vii Contents
About the Author
Other Books by Alexandra Stoddard
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