Today is Friday.  It is the second Friday in the month of May.  And it is the first Friday of the rest of your life.  I got an email last night with the subject line, 21 Secrets of a Happy Life: Each New Day Means Something.  As I read through the list, most of the items are the same little tidbits of knowledge you hear from time to time.  But some of them jumped out, and the fact that they were listed all together made them meaningful.  So I have comprised five of them here as things that you should do every Friday.  If everyone followed these tips at least one day a week, we’d all be better off.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO EVERY SINGLE FRIDAY OF YOUR LIFE

1. Do Something Unexpected for Someone.  This includes giving someone a gift, helping them out with a task or chore, or letting them do something they really want to do.  It should be someone new every Friday.  You will find that as you start doing unexpected things like this, the action will spread.  Everyone loves a surprise, and you will feel good for doing it.

2. Call an Old Friend or Acquaintance You Haven’t Spoken To in a While Just to Chat.  When you have some time, think of a relationship that you really have not kept up with as much as you would like.  Again, a new person every Friday will help keep the spirit going.  When they answer, be genuinely excited to hear their voice.  Don’t have an agenda, just casually catch up and ask questions like how they are doing and what they have been up to.

3. Tell Someone in Your Day to Day Life that You Appreciate Everything they Do and Mean it.  This can be someone you work with, a family member, or even someone you see casually in passing like the woman who sells you coffee every morning.  Look them in the eyes and tell them they do a great job.  Though they may be caught off guard, that will stick with them the rest of the day.

4. Take 30 Minutes and Just Relax By Yourself.  This is always a good idea.  Leave the distractions and pressures behind and just sit.  Whether it be outside, in your office, or in your home, just be alone with your thoughts.  Don’t concentrate on anything in particular, just let your mind wander.

5. Laugh.  No explanation needed.  It is amazing what laughter can do to the way you are feeling.  Just the physical act of smiling and laughing has been proven to elevate the worst of moods.  Laugh by yourself, laugh at yourself, laugh with others, it does not matter as long as you are laughing and enjoying the moment.