1. As creatures of habit, it is important that we step outside of our comfort zones on a continuous basis. This allows us to adjust and modify our learning on-the-fly, and it ensures that we don't become insulated from the world around us.

2. Most of life's beauty is in the nuances and small details. You don't need to age to appreciate these sorts of things. Take time to savor conversations, lucky breaks, small blessings. You're life will be enriched immeasurably.

3. You're tougher than you think you are. Keep this in mind when complaining, or when jumping to use an excuse, or when feeling uncomfortable. The more you allow yourself to automatically cower or shrink when things don't go your way, the more you train yourself to do the same in future situations.

4. Cultivate flexibility in as many areas of your life as you can. Learn new skills, try new approaches. Within this current economic crisis lies numerous opportunities to expand and grow. Some ways you can do that include:
   1. Further your education-take classes, enroll in an online course, apply to graduate schools, learn CPR, etc.
   2. Look at your current financial situation, and take a different approach. Consult an expert about budgeting, paying down debt, saving money, etc.
   3. Analyze your spending habits, and change them to suit your current situation.
   4. Learn a new language
   5. Think about ways to expand upon your current strengths in your job. Are there ways to improve your efficiency? Your productivity? Customer satisfaction? Practice effectiveness (for coaches)?
   6. Get back to basics in your personal life. If you don't have hobbies, start some. If you don't have a spiritual life, now is a great time to start exploring, at whatever level you feel comfortable. Are you happy with your role in your family? Are you the parent/spouse you want to be? If not, get to it!

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This month's Reality Check has a distinctively New Orleans feel, as I have just returned from Mardi Gras 2009. Some thoughts, in random order, include:

• There is absolutely no good reason to take ourselves so seriously. While walking through the French Quarter on Fat Tuesday, I saw the jazz great Pete Fountain carrying what looked like two breast implants, numerous nude strangers, policemen having jovial conversations with inebriated revelers (who had conspicuous bottles of liquor in their hand), and the beautiful and voluptuous Dolly Parton throwing beads to a mostly gay male crowd from a balcony.

• I also saw random acts of kindness toward my children. Complete strangers would run up to the boys to give them trinkets, stuffed animals, hugs, or take their pictures.

• I saw little evidence of a recession and all the gloom and doom broadcast by media folks. Jackson Square and New Orleans partying in general was as robust as ever, and it still took all of Fat Tuesday to traverse the entirety of the French Quarter due to the throngs or partygoers.

• I noticed that the difference between Mardi Gras and other events is that, at Mardi Gras, happiness rules. There is no judgment, no class warfare, no racism, no mendacity in general. It all felt very safe, as everybody simply wanted to celebrate and get away from everyday monotony.

• I realized that, wherever you want to be, you will be. If you believe that living in the South will cure your winter ails, it will. If you believe that people are mostly good, they are. There is ample evidence to support whatever belief you want to adopt.

• Finally, cultivate family togetherness. It serves as a nice buffer to the harsh realities we face economically and otherwise. Within family, you'll find acceptance, laughter, love, and peace of mind. If you doubt this, think about what your first thoughts were upon hearing about the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. I can bet you were thinking about being with those you love. I know I was.

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