You are a child of the universe. Everything is related or interconnected. Your time on Earth is short. Even if you live to be very old, your time is short. That is the beauty and the tragedy of life.

So it turns out all cliches are true, in my experience.

When people say live each day as if its your last, and you roll your eyes, thinking it makes sense but doesn’t relate to you, it DOES relate to you.

My advice, enjoy the small things. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Not everyone can be rich, famous, influential, brilliant, a leader, a change-maker. But you can brilliant at being you, because no one else can be you. Just you. At the same time, know that you are no better or no worse than anyone else. If you feel superior, you’re deluding yourself.

Don’t rush through life without taking time to enjoy the present. Don’t think that things will be so different, that you will change or improve in such a way that thing should be put off to when you’re older, wiser, thinner, richer, fitter. Never think I’m not thin enough to wear a swimming costume and dive into that ocean. It matters not what others think of you. All that’s important is what you think of yourself. Love yourself. Love others. Don’t waste emotions being envious of people. Always be happy for people when they experience success, luck or good fortune. Being jealous feels awful and leads to unhappiness. Being happy for people feels good.

You can practice this and the more you do it, the easier it gets. Try to truly focus on other people and hear and understand what they are saying. Listen. Try not to think what you’ll say next. If you succeed in doing this, what you do say next will be far more meaningful.

Try not to dwell on past mistakes. Try not to regret things from the past. You can’t change the past, but you can influence the now and that will set you up for what comes next. What you think, do and say now will impact your future.

Be kind to yourself and others. Every kind thoughts you have will improve your happiness.

Don’t be an impatient driver. Don’t swear at other drivers. What makes you and your trip more important than others on the road?

If there’s someone you can’t stand, try to think kind things about them, or don’t think of them at all. Hatred can eat away at you and your happiness and well-being.

Be gentle. Don’t get angry, or if you do, recognise it straightaway and don’t let it control you.

If you know someone who has a calm, contented, gentle manner, try to learn from them. Even copy them. Appreciate what you have. Tell yourself, what I want is what I have. Wanting things can make you unhappy.