Is a life of abundance and joy within your reach? I believe it can be if you devote your efforts to the following seven tips:

1. Take care of your body. Get regular checkups and be sure to get age appropriate tests and procedures.  For instance, there are several procedures that are required for optimum health when you reach age forty or older. Mammograms, bone density tests and tests for cataracts and glaucoma are just to name a few. Ask your doctors what tests are needed as you age.

2. Strive to get enough rest/sleep. Granted, some people require more sleep than others. I for one need at six least hours to function as I have gotten older. Granted, I used to party like it was 1999, then jump up go to work, go back home and do it again. Not anymore. Not getting sufficient rest often adds stress to already stressful situations at work and at home.

3. Remain open to learning or trying new things by embracing new experiences and new adventures. Always wanted to learn to play an instrument: say the piano? Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn a foreign language or learn to paint. Then go ahead and do it.  Remember, you are never too old to learn something new. 

4. Vow to spend more time with your spouse and children. Cut off the television, your computer and your cell phone and talk to your family. Use the time running errands with your spouse or shuttling your children back and forth to activities to talk about what is going on in their lives instead of talking on your cell phone to others. After all, barring them jumping out of the car while you are careening down the highway, you have a captive audience.

5. Use your time and talents to help others. If you have a job, a home, food, and good health you are by far better off than many folks these days. Why not use your time and talents to help those whom may not have those things obtain some of them? For example, if you can read, why not join an organization that helps others learn to do so? Like children, why not mentor some needy boy or girl? 

6. Only chose partners that value you or cherish you. Keep in mind people really don’t change. So, whatever initially presents as a red flag (lying, physical violence) will more than likely continue to be problematic the longer you are together. 

7. Lastly, get your personal house (wills, finances) etc., in order. Don’t let people tell you that you are too young to have a will. If you have children, a house and other possessions, not having a will can cause undue hardship on those you leave behind. The same is true if you don’t have insurance. Get insurance that’s appropriate for your needs.  Keep wills, insurance papers and financial paperwork in a safe place, and be sure that someone you trust know where they are kept should something happen to you.