63 Thoughts at the End of My 63rd Year
63 Thoughts at the end of my 63rd Year
Always be willing to get out and push.
Don’t shove at the top of the slide – you may be the one to fall.
There is always someone worse off than you.
Teach your kids at an early age about laundry, cooking and a budget.
Never buy an automatic ice maker – ice cube trays teach responsibility.
People are much more important than money.
Take time to sit in the dark to look at the Christmas tree lights.
Know that everyone comes in to your life for a reason and it may not be the reason you thought it to be.
If you are prepared for the worst that can happen, what happens is never the worst
Some people just won’t like you – that’s ok.
Life changes – Have a parachute or know how to swim.
Eventually it will be ok, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but it will
Write to people you love
Always keep an assortment of cards on hand. Use them.
Learn how to say “I’m sorry” and mean it
Families need to eat meals at the table (and NOT a table at McDonald’s) together
Know at least three quick and easy recipes by heart. Always have the ingredients on hand
Laugh –esp. at yourself
Always look on your face for your glasses first. Then you won’t look so foolish.
Even if you think brown socks are just for boys keep your opinion to yourself if your mom is around.
Give blood
Save some money every week – even if it’s just a dollar
Learn to play cards.
Read the Bible through in a year at least once. Make sure it’s a version you can actually understand. It is a great story. Whatever you decide –fact or fiction – its up to you but at least read it.
Know the words to the Star Spangled Banner and sing it whenever it’s played.
Learn to play an instrument as a child. You will remember the feeling of accomplishment when you are older.
Talk to people in elevators, in line, on street corners. Everyone has a story they want to tell you. Take time to listen. It can make a difference in both of your lives.
Notice sadness and depression. Help all that you can and don’t give up.
Your mother will always be the matriarch of the family until she dies. Don’t fight it.
Alone is not the same as lonely.
A good book and a cup of tea can fix no fewer than 12 things and probably many more than that.
Sometimes you have to agree to disagree – especially in a marriage.
Be ok being by yourself.
Don’t give your own power away to anyone.
Be responsible for yourself.
IN spite of your best efforts sometimes you lose and lose big. Let it go and move on.
It’s ok to start over.
Always have a plan
Give, every opportunity you have to give.
Grow, every time you have the opportunity to grow.
Look for rainbows – even little ones
Keep a coloring book and crayons in your house. Use them even when kids aren’t around.
If you don’t have anything to read when you are out and you have to wait – make up lists or make up your own story.
Always carry paper ( a small notebook) and a pen.) in your purse.
Keep a pen and paper by your bed for Ideas, messages, phone calls in the night.
Remember peoples’ names and use them.
If you are introducing an employee say they work with you NOT for you.
When you are sharing your woes with another person make sure they understand up front you are not asking them to FIX the problem. It saves a lot of misunderstanding and frustration. Conversely, don’t try to fix someone else’s problems unless they ask you to and even then let THEM tell you how to help.
If you are happier when the person you are in a relationship with is gone then it is definitely time to do something about the relationship. Don’t wait 20 years.
Learn at least one new word and one new thing everyday
You will do IT (whatever IT is) when the time is right – and you will know when the time is right.
Fuzz therapy is an antidepressant of the first magnitude. Use it liberally.
Buy a big, big bed. One that will hold you and stacks of books and Kleenex and magazines and your laptop when you are sick or playing hooky.
Never buy cheap underwear or cheap cologne and you will always be well dressed.
Always have $20 hidden in your purse for emergencies. ($50 if you have a lot of emergencies)
Take turns
If you want diamonds or flowers or birthday cake buy them for yourself and you will never be disappointed.
Feed the birds. Keep a bird book handy.. It’s rewarding when you are older. Ditto with trees and plants.
Its ok to be quiet.
Be honest always about the big things and most of the time about the little stuff.
Tell people you love that you love them -often
Show them even more than you tell them
Have no tolerance for people who are mean to small children and animals. Stop abuse any way you can. Always report it.
Forget the bucket list – just do it !