Ever notice how some people are more wonderful than others? Wonderful people - the unstressed, peaceful and rare - often have common traits or at the very least, common habits. If you would like to have less stress in your life and enjoy more peace of mind,

consider 10 pointers:

1. Do nothing you have to lie about later.

2. Practice preventive maintenance on your car, appliances, home, and/or personal relationships.

3. Do it now. Procrastination is stressful. Hard work is often just the accumulation of easy things you didn't do when you could have.

4. Take brisk 30 minute walks. They're an instant cure for stress and a great way to think.

5. Make friends with non-worriers.

6. Simplify. Then simplify. And finally, simplify.

7. Before speaking your mind, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

8. Do at least one thing you enjoy every day.

9. Don't sweat the small stuff. Laugh!

10. Learn to live one day at a time.

For a quick route to wonderful, focus on understanding rather than being understood and on loving rather than being loved. It's never too late to start.

The Toronto Association of Basketball Officials was guided by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute when gathering these 10 pointers to wonderful.