Kids used to take an apple to school for the teacher. Today, it is not uncommon to encounter guns and knives. School classrooms used to be the safest places we could provide for our kids, Nowadays, we have bullying, resulting in some cases in suicide, or retaliation with deadly results by the bullied victim.

We have bullying and sex exploitation of kids on the Internet. Violence is now a common feature in movies, videos and video games, which the children watch and play, and which is resulting in escalating violence amongst young people.

In the workplace it isn't any better, here we have employees shooting their supervisor and coworkers in some instances.

We have road rage with innocent people being the victims of irate drivers. We have air rage caused by people getting upset at the slightest provocation, or for no reason at all.

Bars and lounges are no exception to violence. People used to frequent these places to get together with friends for relaxation, entertainment and enjoyment. These days violence is common within, as well as outside these establishments.

And then of course we have global terrorism aimed at destruction of people and property for ideals we cannot comprehend.

Although I don't have all the answers to turn things around, I have come up with my own 10 rules for adopting a happier attitude and approach to life.

- Life may not be fair, but it beats the alternative

- Take your responsibilities seriously and yourself lightly

- Life is too short to spend your energy hating anyone

- Don't worry, be happy. Most worries tend to be for nothing

- If everyone threw their problems in a basket and you saw everybody else's, more than likely you would take yours back

- Don't compare your life to the Jones'- You have no idea what their problems are

- Take a deep breath once in a while - it's like a mini vacation

- Life should be lived - not endured

- Learn to forgive and forget - you become the winner

- Noting is forever - learn to adapt to change