• "Charles Darwin said the 'survival of the fittest ' is a central factor in the process of evolution. What exactly did he mean by that? He made it clear in his book The Origin of the Spices: 'It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.' According to Darwin's definition, what would you have to do to make yourself superbly fit?"

• " 'As soon as you concern yourself with the "good" and "bad" of your fellows,' said Morihei Ueshiba, founder of the martial art of aikido, 'you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.' Make that your hypothesis. Proceed according to the theory that you can feed your strength and power and freedom by accepting other people just the way they are. Assume that one of the surest ways to be happy and successful is to refrain from judging anyone."

• "Take on an additional job title, beautifier. Put it on your business card and do something every day to cultivate your skill. If you're a people person, bring grace and intrigue into your conversations; ask unexpected questions that provoke original thoughts. If you're an artist, leave samples of your finest work in public places. If you're a psychologist or sociologist, point out the institutions and relationships that are working really well. Whatever you do best, be alert for how you can refine it and offer it up to those who'll benefit from it."

• "When he's in his prime, a male panda performs an average of eight handstands a day. There's no apparent evolutionary purpose in this stunt. Maybe he does it because it feels good. Make him your role model. Identify three activities you can do not because they're 'good for you' or because they'll advance some goal you're pursuing, but simply for the sheer fun of it."

• "Here's the catch about pronoia: Life always gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it, but it doesn't necessarily give you exactly what you want, exactly when you want it. Talk about the differences between what you want and what you need."

• "Write a letter to the person you'll be one year from today. Tell this Future You that you've taken a vow to accomplish three feats by then. Say why these feats are more important to you than anything else. Describe them. Brainstorm about what you'll do to make them happen. Draw pictures or make collages that capture your excitement about them."