Ten Things Time Has Taught Me

Me, 1958 - Young and Stupid

At my age (82), I have been reflecting on my life a lot lately. 

Have I had a good life? 

Yes! Absolutely!

Have I had difficulties?

Again, yes! Absolutely!

But here is what I know. I came across this list on a friend's Facebook post and the ten things time has taught me hit home with me. Read them and I'm confident these life lessons will connect with you too. Time for reflection folks.

10 THINGS TIME HAS TAUGHT ME

1. Most of our life is spent chasing false goals and worshipping fans ideals. The day you realize that is the day you really start to live.

2. You really, truly cannot please all of the people all of the time. Please yourself first and your loved ones second, everyone else is busy pleasing themselves anyway, trust me.

3. Fighting the aging process is like trying to catch the wind. Go with it, enjoy it. Your body is changing but it always has been. Don't waste time trying to reverse that, instead change your mindset to see the beauty in the new.

4. Nobody is perfect and nobody is truly happy with their lot. When that sinks in your are free of comparison and free of judgement. It's truly liberating.

5. No one really sees what you do right, everyone sees what you do wrong. When that becomes clear to you, you will start doing things for the right reason and you will start having so much more fun.

6. You will regret the years you spent berating your looks, the sooner you can make peace with the vessel your soul lives in, the better. Your body is amazing and important but it does not define you.

7. Your health is obviously important but stress, fear and worry are far more damaging than any delicious food or drink  you may deny yourself. Happiness and peace are the best medicine. 

8. Who will remember you and for what, become important factors as you age. Your love and your wisdom will live on far longer than any material thing you can pass down. Tell your stories, they can travel farther than you can imagine.

9. We are not here for long but if you are living against the wind it can feel like a life-sentence. Life should not feel like a chore, it should feel like an adventure.

10. Always, always, drink the good champagne and use the things you keep for "best". Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. Today is a gift that's why we call it the present. Eat, Drink & Be Merry. 

Now, having said all this I wish I had bought that 2,000 of Apple stock when it was $25 a share in 1998 and accepted that first offer on our Pennsylvania house. 

What a wonderful journey this life has been. I'm thinking this even more today now that my cousin Bud has passed. We were the same age and alike in so many ways. His life journey on this planet has ended. I wonder where he is now and if we will ever see each other again. But I believe this is it. So make the most out of your life folks. Deal with the deck we were given at birth. We only go around once.