My birthday is tomorrow and here are just a few things that are on my mind as I leave one decade and enter a new one. I don’t know if these are what I have learned or what I hope to learn. Whatever the case, these are a few things, in no particular order, that seem appropriate to reflect upon tonight:

1. Be kind to people. You have no idea how bad their day (of life) may be going.
2. Avoid stereotyping people. They will surprise you with their common humanity if you spend five minutes having a real conversation.
3. Hug liberally. Both you and the person you hug need that nice shot of serotonin.
4. Forgive people. Otherwise, that trash bag full of unfinished business will get harder and harder to drag around.
5. Apologize. People will forgive almost anything if they hear “I’m sorry” spoken with sincerity.
6. Love without fear. Let your eyes shine when you see those who are important to you.
7. Surrender. Recognize you do not have to tackle life alone. Ask for help.
8. Give yourself a break. You are imperfect and that’s okay.
9. Notice what you like and do more of that; notice what you do not like and do less of that.
10. Actively listen. People appreciate feeling heard.

On that note, I will retire for the evening. Tomorrow is a brand new decade.