20 tips for a healthy and happy life

Having just turned 73, when the time comes to review one’s life, with its ups and downs, I begin to realize what is valuable to me. I perceive what has helped me in my life, and what has led me wrong. In this way we learn from our successes and our mistakes.

From what life taught me, I have extracted what is most valuable to me, and I summarize it in 20 sentences. They are phrases that may be useful to others, and that is why I want to express them here. These are:

1. The love of your family must be the first and only love of your life.
2. Our dreams predict our future. Be interested in them and follow them, because the future will be where you will spend the rest of your life.
3. Happiness lengthens life. Unhappiness shortens it. Therefore, get closer to what you like, and stay away from what you dislike.
4. Trust people only enough, but distrust only enough.
5. Don’t expect anything from anyone. So everything that comes to you from others will have greater value for you.
6. Don’t get your hopes up about a person without first knowing them well. You will avoid many disappointments.
7. Be self-sufficient in your needs, and thus you will not depend on anything or anyone.
8. Good preparation will provide you with good solutions throughout your life.
9. If obligations weigh you down, let go of the burden.
10. If you leave and never return, leave everything well tied up.
11. You can’t always do what you want. Sometimes you have to do what needs to be done.
12. The world is changing very quickly. That is why seeing beyond the horizon line gives a broader perspective of a reality that we need to know to avoid going off course.
13. Where it smells bad to you, do not enter.
14. Don’t go where no one calls you. You, to yours.
15. Always avoid fights. Always use reason.
16. Intuition illuminates your path. Let yourself be carried away by it.
17. Every effort has its reward. Perseverance multiplies it.
18. Loving is to be loved, as hating is to being hated.
19. Memory is very useful to us. It helps us avoid repeating our mistakes.
20. Trust in your strength and your ability to achieve your goals, and your dreams will come true.