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"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
- Wayne Gretzky

There's a stark contrast between the tragic loss of a young man and the death of an old man who has truly lived and made a difference in the lives of those around him. It's not healthy to be morbid, so how can we move beyond the cliché of "live every day as if it were your last," and learn to lead a positive and fulfilling life?

It's easy. Lighten up. Don't get bogged down in your daily grind and do something to make each day memorable. A complete day "fully lived" generally involves having fun, learning something new, helping others, relaxing, being thankful for what you have, and feeling good about yourself. If the weeks are passing, and you feel that you haven't actually accomplished anything or had any fun, here are some suggestions to help you make the most of each day.

1- Learn something new
Keep a running list of things you'd like to learn more about; maybe it's F1, astronomy or the JFK conspiracy theory. Set a deadline to go through the items on your list. Whenever you have a few free minutes, do a little more research.

2- Take a course
Register for classes in something unfamiliar, like Thai cooking, home renovations or a foreign language. Without over-scheduling your time, challenge your brain with something out of the ordinary to break your routine.

3- Experiment
Experience something new. Try Bubble Tea at the new tea place that opened close to your work. Research and make a list of new wines to try (but not necessarily all on the same night). Attempt to make sushi, cook a turkey on the barbecue or play the electric guitar.

4- Ask questions
Take the time to talk to someone older and learn from them. Life lessons are incredibly valuable. Not only will you learn something new, but you'll feel great about giving someone else your time and interest.

5- Do something fun
Join a sports team and reap double benefits; you'll stay active and fit, and enjoy the camaraderie of being out with the guys. Or, you can even make plans to go to a concert or check out a new bar.

6- Laugh out loud
It's healthy to laugh out loud, even if you're alone. Go to the movies, watch your favorite comedian or sitcom on TV, or rent a DVD of one of the great old classic comedies. Lighten up your attitude and have fun.

7- Be spontaneous
Forget about how tired you are after work and do something unplanned to break your routine. Call up that babe from accounting and go out for drinks. Or take another route on your drive home to change your outlook.

8- Relax
Create some "me" time. Relax and disconnect for a few minutes. Shut off your cell phone, turn off the radio, television, and computer and let go of worries. Drive around town. Take a walk in the park. Read a book.
Making time for yourself doesn't mean painting the living room, unless that's something you truly enjoy doing. It's about giving yourself permission to just relax.

"The purpose of life is to matter -- to count, to stand for something, to have it make some difference that we lived at all."
- Leo Rosten

9- Do a good deed
Help others in some small way. Help an elderly person cross the street. Donate food or clothes to a homeless shelter or, better yet, deliver them yourself and volunteer your time. Listen to a friend's problems without judging or offering solutions.

10- Cheer someone up
Verbalize your "thank yous." The server and cook at your favorite lunch spot, the bank teller and security guard, the customer service operator will all be surprised by a little recognition, and you'll find that your spirits are raised also. Offering some spare change to a panhandler on the street and looking him in the eye will make both of you feel good.

11- Stay connected
Spend time with your loved ones and with the people who are important in your life. Hopefully, many of them fall into both categories. Visit your parents and grandparents, and have lunch or dinner with them. Go for a beer with your friends and maintain contact with old college buddies by e-mail or telephone. Make it a habit to call an old friend each week to catch up.

"Somebody ought to tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit every minute of every day. Do it, I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now."
- Michael Landon

Your frame of mind is important. Start every day on a positive note. Walk around like you won $1 million and, unless you start spending money like you're a millionaire, you'll feel upbeat and happy.

In your business and social life, be proud of your accomplishments, celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes without wallowing in self-pity. Act with integrity and believe in yourself. Before going to bed, you'll be able to look back on your day and be happy about it.

Life is full of choices. You can choose to be so absorbed in your work or so ingrained in your old routine that you become one-dimensional or you can choose to truly live. Of course, you're not likely to use all these suggestions on the same day. Use them sporadically to make every day unique and memorable. Take the time to enjoy your life.