There are ten days left in 2011.  How will you spend them?  I know someone who’s spending them in Hawaii, far from the Christmas bustle and loads of expectations at home. Others are traveling to and from family gatherings with a little time devoted to the gatherings themselves.  Others are looking for the last parking spot at the mall or standing in the mile-long line at the Post Office.  For some cooking and baking are still on the things-to-do list.

What if you only had these ten days to live and you wanted to make these the best days of the year?  How would you spend your time? Gregg Krech, author, expert on Japanese mental health therapies, and Executive Director of the ToDo Institute, suggests three things to consider.

The first, he says, is to consider your choices carefully.  Will you try to read as many books as you can get through, spend more time with your loved ones, give time and energy to your favorite cause, enjoy nature, or write poetry?

Second, experience whatever you choose to do differently, that is, stay focused, avoid trying to do more than one thing at a time, and be present for the experience instead of a sending your thoughts a million miles away from your body.

The third recommendation is to “continuously reflect on how you are cared for and supported by others.  Who’s part of your support team at this very moment.  The furnace (heat)? A chair? Your eyeglasses? Warm socks? Electricity? A hot cup of coffee? Sunlight? Music? A computer? Can you stay aware of what you’re receiving even when you’re rushed?”

Sounds like good advice even if we believe we have another full year ahead of us.