How to Not Suck -- 5 Strategies to Create an Awesome Life!

Not long ago I was living a life where everything sucked.  I hated my job, I didn't get along with the people I worked with, and I was frustrated by commuting.  Every day it was an absolute chore to get out of bed.  It got so bad for me that I was on the edge of just not being here anymore.
Thank God, the Universe, Spirit or the Spaghetti Monster, that I never gave up believing that I could discover a way to live a meaningful life.  Because today my life is awesome!!!  No, it's not perfect.  I still have my down days.  But without a doubt my life is a whole lot better.
But what did it take?  How did I go from a miserable life to one where joy, love, friendship and inspiration became the norm, not the exception?
Here are 5 strategies to create an awesome life.  These 5 things made ALL the difference in my life.

1. Do something you might like, just for the hell of it, even if you don't think you're any good at it.  For many years I couldn't answer the question "what do you like?" -- I always said "nothing!"  But it was a lie.  I actually liked to draw and teach.  I just told myself I wasn't any good at it.  One day I decided to take a drawing class.  I LOVED IT.  And, it turns out I was pretty good at it.
2. Volunteer.  Serving others is one of the simplest ways to feel good about yourself.  And you get to meet other caring and giving people.  You don't have to use your existing skills -- many agencies just need a warm body.  Check out http://volunteer.ca/ for Canadian volunteering opportunities, or google "volunteer + [your city name]"  I guarantee you'll find something to try.
3. Listen to inspirational people.  My friend Matt leant me a bunch of audios: Anthony Robbins, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Deepak Chopra.  There are so many amazing speakers out there; each has a unique perspective and style that appeals to different people.  I like Anthony Robbins; here's an awesome interview: Anthony Robbins on You Tube
4. Release your emotions.  What you resist, persists.  When I started letting out the emotion that I was feeling, instead of bottling it, my life started to flow.  And whenever my life stops flowing, it is blocked until I release my emotion.  Find your way to release; write things on rocks and throw them away; scream in a pillow; scream in your car; smash cheap plates; watch emotional movies by yourself and cry; do something physical -- run, punch a punching bag or pillows.
5. Hire a coach, counselor or other healer.  When I was in my own miserable reality, I couldn't see outside of it.  A professional, unbiased perspective got me out of the perceptions that weren't serving me.  Each profession has its own function (see Coaching is..?); the most important thing is to choose someone you can relate to and feel safe and comfortable with and someone who gets you to take action in your life.