RICHARD LEIDER'S "TOP 10"

You don't have to be David Letterman to come up with your own list of ten positive practices for living in a world of constant busyness. Each of us is an "experiment of one". There is no prototype, template or pattern of practices that fits all. Here, however, is my articulation of "Top 10" tips that exemplify my personal lessons learned.

10. MONEY. Time is our most precious currency. It's time to measure our days. Multiply your age X 365. Subtract that number from 28,835 (average life expectancy). What's your number? What's your mood when you reflect on your life's time?

9. MEDICINE. Turn off your TV and computer. Shut down. Re-boot. Take a long walk. Tune into nature. Where is your "listening point" in nature? In a 24/7 world, struggling with "hurry sickness", where do you go to let your soul catch up with your body?

8. MEANING. What are the two most important days in our life? Birth and death? No. Birth and the day we discover "why" we were born. Purpose. The big quest-ion. What's your answer to the big question? Why were you born? What are you doing with your life? Who are you being?

7. ADVENTURE. Life is a book with many chapters. To feel vital, we need to turn the page for new adventures. Keep a sense of adventure. Exploration is more importation than outcomes. Allow yourself to poke around. Be curious. Allow yourself to wander aimlessly at times. What's your next adventure?

6. INVENTURE. Love your experiments. Embrace life as a series of beautiful experiments. Experiments are the engine of vitality. Create a studio. A studio is a place of study. Consider Eric Hoffer's notion that "the future belongs to the learners, not the knowers." Create a time and a space for study. Where is your studio? What are you studying?

5. VOCATION. Call stays. Career changes. Call is the "inner urge" to give our gifts away. Deep life fulfillment comes from responding to the call to give our gifts to serve others. Each of us is irreplaceable. We must take pains to find out what the call means in each stage of our lives. What's calling you? What's your legacy?

4. COMPANIONS. Don't be cool. Cool is what we all agree on. Remaining cool means giving up intimacy. What preparations, provisions and "traveling companions" have you chosen for your journey? Who is on your "sounding board"? With whom do you transparently share your hopes and challenges?

3. PASSION. Grow whole, not old. Allow events to change you. Growth doesn't happen to you. You produce it. Growth demands openness to new experiences and the willingness to be changed by them. Creative expression is essential to passion. Postpone criticism. What are your passions?

2. BALANCE. Drop the ball. Cease trying to keep all the balls in the air. Prioritize. Strike a balance. Your "To Do" list will outlive you. Major in the majors (your true passions), not the minors (all those expectations). Drop the ball. Ask different questions. Live in your quest-ions?

1. FILL IN THE BLANK. _______________ Create your own "Top 10" list. Dream. Allow space in your life for the dreams you haven't fulfilled, yet. Embrace the Bette Davis attitude that "old age is no place for sissies." Dance the way you want to.