How to survive

Get up in the morning. For you, that means 7:30 or before. No matter how late you've gone to bed. If you need to, you can catch up on sleep by retiring earlier tonight.

Eat good food.

Remember that you are being affected by your actions. ACTIONS. (Did you hear me?) Actions: The actual things you do. If your actions are in line with what it is you know to be True, you will feel good. If your actions are not in line with what you know to be True, you will feel bad. (It is possible, therefore, that when you feel bad, it's because you've either done something out of line or left undone something in line. This won't always be the case - that would be simplistic - but it's a good starting point.)

Don't give up a single moment as lost. As soon as you realize you have failed to live in harmony with Truth, realign yourself with it.

Talk to people. Be as honest as possible, but be careful about appropriateness. If, for example, you plumb the depths of your being with the person you just met five minutes ago, you will end up with a feeling of emptiness or spread-too-thinness.

Be humble enough to ask for help when you need it. If you feel inadequate to every task put before you, it's okay. You are in a phase of learning. Others have had to learn before you, and, when you come out on the other side, you will be able to help others after you.

As soon as you think of a healthy or good thing to do, do it. Having good thoughts is not the same as doing good things.

Be thankful for what you have. It's ok to pursue better things, but the pursuit will be made happier and healthier by the recognition of the abundance in which you already live. The pursuit will become a joy unto itself rather than a vainglorious burden.

Work hard. Even and especially when the outcome of the work doesn't directly benefit you. It has become abundantly clear by your life experience that working for the benefit of others is itself a benefit to you. If the parameters of the work aren't clear, clarify them, but then work.

Appreciate beauty. For you, this means a live classical music event should always be in your near future. Also, stop in that spot of sun long enough to really feel it.

Make time for people in need. You were made for others, and you will find the fulfillment you so ardently seek in being for them.

Meditate about how all of this has gone today. If you have failed in any way, meditate also on the challenges you will face in succeeding tomorrow. Then, resolve to do so.

[A note to the reader: I'm a Christian. I've left out mention of God in part because this was originally a letter to myself and therefore God is presumed, but also in order to demonstrate that what he requires of his followers - granted, the above is not a complete list - all happens to be directly in line with human flourishing (a beautiful two-word phrase I've stolen from Tim Keller). The greater purpose is not our flourishing but his glory, but he made it so that our flourishing would be to his glory (which is an derivation of John Piper's thought that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him"). He's a good God. Again, this was all running through my head as I wrote and is, if you think about it, the only way doing any of the above makes any sense at all.]