As 2008 is coming to a close, it’s time to prepare for 2009.? I’m always excited for a new year to begin.? To me it’s a time for new beginnings.? I have thoroughly enjoyed 2008, but can’t wait to see what 2009 brings.? I’ve learned more about myself this year than ever before.? I think it’s important to always learn and evolve and I’m proud that?I’ve done more of that in 2008 than any other year prior.?

To help prepare for 2009, I came across?some steps?that I have found to be very helpful.? The steps are ways to help you live your life to the fullest.??Life is?so precious and also so short.??We are only given this one life to live.??So do what you can to make it your best.??I think that Og Mandino put it best when he said, “I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand.? Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.”

Make a list of things you want to do before a certain birthday. For example, list thirty things you want to do before you turn thirty. Your list can be made up of places to visit, people to meet or befriend, skills to acquire, or just fun things to do. This way, you have some goals to aim at, and you can keep track of what you have done and what you still want to do.

Make a to-do list or a schedule every day! Don’t just lay around all day without painting the fence, visiting Aunt Mary Ann, or finally taking that walk to the park. Have fun!

Remember “Carpe Diem” or “seize the day.” – Live life in the moment. The only thing that is assured in life is this moment and death. So cherish every moment of life and make it worthwhile.

Try making life better for the less fortunate people in the world.They could be anyone, from an orphan in Africa to a pauper in Calcutta. Some dollars less in your account will not make a significant difference to you but will make an impact on someones life. These are the deeds that make you happy in reality, knowing that you have made a difference.

Be comfortable with yourself. Love and accept yourself, even if others don’t. Know who you are. You will naturally become an outgoing person if you can do this. Also, have an internal locus of control (an internal focus of control implies the belief that one is largely in control of the things that happen to her/him), meaning be who you are and stay true no matter the situation. Be strong and continue to grow your entire life.

Accept other people, even if they’re different. Really different. You don’t have to like everyone, just show acceptance and tolerance and you’ll be cool with everyone (extremely important in connections later on). Also understand not everyone has your world view, thinks like you, or has the same values. But one thing everyone does want is to be treated kindly. You can’t judge anyone else because you don’t know what that person has been through and how it’s affected them. Not everyone reacts to the same situations the same way. Some have more tolerance than others. Judging anyone is purely to organize your own little world into making a little more sense.

Find a purpose or meaning to your life. Whether that be a cause to help the world, religion, or just any kind of worthwhile goal (world domination only if you’ll treat the world right).

Accept death. Yes, it can be scary. But it’s going to happen, one day you will die. Let it echo through you, and you can begin to appreciate life. Trust you will be okay. Trust it or you’ll go crazy. Live your life with the motto ” If I die now I die happy .” Wouldn’t it be nice if supposedly you would die now to know that many people would attend your funeral because you’ve been a great person ?

Stop caring what other people think about you. If you’ve done the previous step, then this one should be easy. Just apply the faith and trust in the fact that you will die someday, to you, and the fact that you were meant to be yourself no matter what other people say.