Sometimes, it seems that we try to make life more difficult for ourselves than we need to. Listen to Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook" when he says, "Life's hard enough as it is, guys." We all need to sit back for a second and breathe, because if we keep up all the stress and all the hate, we're going to tire ourselves out before we even hit the real world.

There is an initiative that will help with this: One that's not only constructive, but it comes from a genuine place. If you haven't heard of it, buckle up. It's the "Because I Said I Would." movement. It's "a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity," started by Alex Sheen after his father passed away. The purpose is to make a promise and keep a promise. Individuals are given business cards with the words "because I said I would." printed in the lower right hand corner of the card. The card's owner, if you will, writes a promise on said card and then uses it as a reminder to follow through with that promise. It's an incredible initiative and it has the potential to bring so much good into everyone's life.

Here are 10 suggested ideas with which you can begin changing your life for the better, because you said you would.

1. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Even though this isn't a tangible one, it's a good jumping off point. Maybe you got a C on that paper. Maybe you didn't get the playing time that you were hoping for. Or maybe Adele tickets sold out virtually the moment they went on sale. Don't sweat it. Life could be a lot worse than not seeing Adele (even though it seems highly unlikely that that's true). Write it down, remind yourself and keep true to your word.

2. Research your role models.

Have you ever taken longer than about five minutes to look into the people you look up to? Michael Jordan's a hero to me. Louis Zamperini, Kennedy, Einstein and F. Scott Fitzgerald are some of my many role models, but I know very little about them (aside from Louis, because I read "Unbroken.") Even if it's 10 minutes a month, start looking up your role models and learn a little more about them. They obviously have a heavy impact in your life, so take the time to appreciate them more. They may be able to influence you further.

3. Call someone important to you twice a week.

Your mom, your dad, brother or sister, best friend from home, anyone that you care about. Call them. Don't text them. Reach out and make that verbal connection with that person. Hearing someone's voice, and actually talking with and to them is such a strong reassurance of that relationship. It's something that can't be replaced by text on a screen. If you really want to step up your game, take time to go somewhere with that person and talk face to face. Local Dubuquers, I would recommend Monk's, Jitters or the Mines.

4. Go apologize to someone that you never apologized to.

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has a falling out or a fight that they regret. You can go ahead and think to yourself that you're the exception, but think back to about five years ago, and there's at least one person that you've wronged and never apologized to. Well, suck it up and go apologize. Rid yourself of the baggage that you still hold and allow them to get rid of theirs. This is something that's mutually beneficial and powerfully cathartic. Do it face to face, do it over the phone, write a letter, send a text or even slide into his or her DMs. Just do it. You won't regret it.

5. Go forgive someone that you haven't forgiven.

But Neil? Isn't this the same as number four? Kind of. This, however, is one that you don't have as much control over. Whether it be to the person's face or just an internal acceptance, forgive him or her. Like I said before, life is already hard enough, and wasting time harboring angry feelings is the biggest waste of time. Just forgive and carry on. I'm not saying forget, but definitely forgive.

6. Stop looking at your problems in comparison to others.

This bit of advice came from my dad. Maybe your problems aren't as heavy as the problems of your neighbor or as another person around the world. However, they're still your problems. In the grand scheme of things, it may not seem as important, but to you it is. Let that be what it is. It's OK to be upset, it's OK to be sad. Your problems don't have to top the list of worldwide issues for you to be able to feel something. On the flip side, to you, your issue may seem far more severe than your friend's, but theirs matter, too. Like my article on majors, don't compare your problems. Just accept that we all have our own.

7. Acknowledge these problems, but don't dwell.

Mourning and grief are both incredibly important in the process of dealing with life's hurdles. Similarly, you're going to feel sad, angry, hangry, tired... you get the point. Even those feelings are important to experience, it's even more important not to dwell on these feelings. When we begin to dwell instead of healthily moving forward, we begin to become the personified version of Eeyore. Everything is the worst and nothing will ever be right. To be clear,, I am in no way discrediting the severe detriments of depression, that's another monster entirely. This is when you've broken up with someone and life is one constant pity party, or when you break your phone and Mom and Dad don't immediately replace it. Feel whatchu need to feel, but don't dwell.

8. Thank those that have made an impact on your life.

This is almost a no brainer. However, if you don't remind yourself, you may never do it. Go and, face to face, thank that person. It could be a coach, teacher, doctor or a family member. It doesn't matter, because a ton of people influence us, but go out and thank these people. They deserve it.

9. Spend more money on adventures than on "things."

Now, don't get me wrong, I would love a GoPro, some Ray Bans, a car of my own or the newest version of "The Sims" (that's the closest I am to video game savvy), but none of those are going to bring you lifelong joy. Not to sound like your preachy old-man neighbor, but items aren't going to give you stories to tell your kids one day.

Spend $40 on a ticket to a concert (that's not too bad). Go with a friend, or many friends, and make a road trip out of it. Stay at a hotel together, make a weekend out of it. You'll have that story to tell forever. Do it because you said you would, because you'll never regret it.

10. Do somethin' crazy.

There isn't much to tell here. Do something that you wouldn't usually do. Taking risks are so important, I can't stress that enough. Don't go full-tilt crazy and ruin your future. Maybe your somethin' crazy is someone else's Friday night. So be it. Go for it. Live life.

Alex Sheen said, describing his mission, "I chose to speak about my father and how he treated his promises. Too often we say things like 'I’ll get to it' and 'tomorrow.' One day there is no tomorrow. The promises we make and keep and those we choose to dishonor define us and this world." The website shows all that this man and this movement have to offer. We all need to start living with that mentality, because life is a precious gem that we often take for granted.

Start living life because you said you would, and I'll do the same.