There’s just over a week until the stork touches down with our special delivery.

I know Mother Nature might have other plans.

But Lauren is ready to pop. Her bun in the oven is almost fully baked.

And as a soon-to-be Dad, I’ve been thinking:

If I could share a few words of wisdom with my as-yet unborn daughter to give her the best possible chance of living a happy and fulfilling life, what would I say?

Here’s what I came up with:

  1. Don't mistake what's familiar for what's true
  2. If you want to find the answers, stop looking for them
  3. Surround yourself with people who will cheer you on, light your flame and celebrate the “you-ness” of you
  4. No situation or circumstance can make you feel anything
  5. You already know the answer to your big decision, even if you don’t know you do
  6. Less is more
  7. You’re not here to please everyone, but you are here to honour yourself
  8. Your thoughts are one tool in your toolkit. Like all tools, there are times to use them and times not to
  9. Listen less to other people and more to yourself
  10. Pain happens, but suffering is what happens when you argue with it
  11. There's nothing you need to do, own, buy, become, achieve, learn or earn in order to be happy
  12. Remember who you are and who you are not
  13. Follow your feelings. Forget the idea you must “suffer to succeed” or there’s “no pain, no gain”. If it feels good, keep going. If it doesn’t, stop
  14. Whenever you feel stuck, you’ve forgotten your thoughts are made to flow
  15. Don’t forget how it feels to be 4 years old
  16. Life isn’t a game you play to win. It’s a game you play to play
  17. You are perfect, whole and complete. Always have been, always will be. Nothing that happens in your life will ever change that

I know these words of wisdom aren't exactly bedtime story material. Even as I write, this email is starting to sound a bit like a TED talk for toddlers.

But I'm certainly not planning to sit my daughter on my knee to preach from the Gospel of Dad.

I doubt she’d listen anyway (and quite right too - lesson number 9).

So perhaps these are more reminders to myself than anything else. Reminders that life flows best when I live in the moment, stay true to myself, let go and enjoy the ride.

That’s how I see it.

But I’m curious:

How do you see it?

Do any of these life lessons strike a chord?

Or do you have your own life lesson to throw into the mix? A bite-sized piece of wisdom which has helped you find more happiness and fulfilment in your own life?

Hit reply and let me know if so. I’d genuinely love to hear.