If You Would have Nine Lives, Keep these Nine Rules

    The rules of living long:
   1. Never fear, never worry. Do not take to worrying for your job, for your health, or for lack of friendship. One of the most severe forms of worrying is guilt. So, do not be given to beating yourself up. The person who conducts himself without reproach will have an advantage, not having anything to feel guilty of. The person who is not proud will have an advantage, not having any perch to fall from. But, even a sinner might pass the test of never worrying, if he (or she) has no guilt for what they do.
   2. Keep yourself healthy. I guess this one goes unsaid. But, the same, get yourself treated for infectious diseases, and take those screenings for cancer.
   3. Avoid unnecessary pollutions. If you live near a hazardous material, move. Don't smoke. I don't know where you draw the line on air pollution and such, but I know taking harmful substances into our bodies is, well, harmful.
   4. Sing in the sunshine. Be happy, be pleasant, be upbeat. Life springs from our attitudes. Death gathers where gloom sets in. I guess this rule piggybacks on Rule 1, but it goes beyond it.
   5. Do not become overweight. Maybe I'm just guessing, but I believe fewer overweight people live long lives.
   6. Have something to live for. Life feeds on purpose. If you have no purpose, you will lose your vitality. Whether you gather value in your life from the love given you by others, or whether you gain it from achieving things, you must see purpose in continuing to live or your mind will conclude life is not worth it.
   7. As a corollary to Rule 6, stay active, involved in projects, and in just doing things. It has been said an idle mind is the devil's workshop. Well, an idle mind is also the grim reaper's funeral room. Always have something scheduled, so death has less of an opening to make an appointment. More horses die in the barn than in the harness. (Well, that sounds good, but who knows. Still, though it might not be literally true, the principle behind it is true.)
   8. Put your trust and faith in God. I don't know whether religious people live longer or not. But, I do know God is the source of blessings. I do know he is all powerful. Be of the mindset that you do not fear death if God would have you go there, but that you will pray and ask for his mercy to remain here on earth.
   9. Never quit improving and never quit repenting. One of the reasons we are on earth is to overcome our sins and become better people. As long as we are doing that, then, there is reason for staying down here. I don't know for sure that God will let us continue as long as we are improving, but it has served for me as a hopeful strategy.

(Indexes: Long life, health, quotes)