BIRTHDAY PEARLS

BIRTHDAY PEARLS

Two significant things happened to me this week.  I turned 74 (that was big!).  I also received an email called “21 Pearls of Wisdom” which I found myself rereading many times, and I just have to share it.

I’m not trying to foist these goals on you. But hopefully you will find some of them as pertinent to your life as I have to mine.

21 PEARLS OF WISDOM

It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it.  Don’t keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it.

Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren. Don’t feel bad about spending your money on yourself. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

Keep a healthy life. Do moderate exercises, like walking every day. Eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick and it gets harder to remain healthy.

Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other and the money will not provide any comfort then. 

Don’t stress over the little things. Seriously.

Regardless of age, keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor.

Be proud, inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dentist and dermatologist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked.

Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style.

Always stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news, go online and read what people are saying.

Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you but they are the future, and they will take the world in their direction.

Never use the phrase “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time.

Some people embrace their golden years, others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive cheerful people.

Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren, if you have a financial choice. Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great but we all need our privacy.

Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance, adopt a cat or dog, grow a garden, play cards, learn mahjong, paint or volunteer.

Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations to baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings. Get out of the house! And don’t get upset if and when you’re not invited.

Talk less and listen more.

Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with growing older. Accept them as part of the cycle of life.

If you’ve been offended by someone, forgive them. If you’ve offended someone, apologize. Someone once said, “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison.

If you have a strong belief, savor it. Don’t waste time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices, no matter what you tell them.

Laugh. Laugh a lot. Laugh at everything!

Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. Now is the time to be at peace and as happy as you can be.