Today's column is going to be a little different, but I'm sure you will enjoy it! Instead of the usual health and fitness advice, I'm going to give you some life advice.

The list below was printed in an eDiets.com newsletter that I received back in December 1999, and I just came across it again the other day and I thought I'd pass it on to my readers. In my opinion, the list is full of great instructions to live by that, if followed, can help improve the quality of our lives, and that is what this column is all about! So read, heed and enjoy!

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2. Memorise your favourite poem.

3. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

4. When you say, "I love you", mean it.

5. When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at anyone's dreams.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

11. Don't judge people by their relatives.

12. Talk slow but think quick.

13. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask: "Why do you want to know?"

14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15. Call your mom.

16. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

17. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

18. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

19. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

20. When you realise you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

21. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

22. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, his/her conversational skills will be as important as any other.

23. Spend some time alone.

24. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

25. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

26. Read more books and watch less TV.

27. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.

28. Trust in God but lock your car.

29. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.

30. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

31. Read between the lines.

32. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

33. Be gentle with the earth.

34. Pray - there's immeasurable power in it.

35. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

36. Mind your own business.

37. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

38. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.

39. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.

40. Learn the rules then break some.

41. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

42. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

43. Remember that your character is your destiny.

44. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

I hope you found this article as motivating and uplifting as I did; thanks to eDiets.com for sending it out to their readers to enjoy! Take all of this advice and use it to help make 2002 a great year!