I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what
sort of changes he is feeling in himself? He sent me the following:
1. After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children
and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2. I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest
on my shoulders.
3. I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few
pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the
fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4. I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a
smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5. I stopped telling the older person that they've already told me
that story many times. The story makes them walk down
memory lane & relive their past.
6. I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are
wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace
is more precious than perfection.
7. I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a
mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a
small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it
down, just say "Thank You.”
8. I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my
shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9. I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not
know my worth, but I do.
10. I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the
rat race. I am not a rat & I am not in a race.
11. I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my
emotions that make me human.
12. I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break
a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships,
I will never be alone.
13. I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might
be the last.
14. I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my
happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice.
You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
Wise words really but I am not sure about number 9. I don't know that I am valued much.
ReplyDeleteYou are the most valuable you, there ever was.
DeleteThe lessons of age. I know them well.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in aging for 20+ years, I have grown into the work.
DeleteGood list, although #12 needs more nuance. Toxic relationships are NOT better than being alone.
ReplyDeletegood point, I dropped a few toxic people this past year.
DeleteThis is a great list. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteGlad to share bits of wisdom
DeleteSound advice.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with #5 while we were away as one friend kept repeating stories he'd already told, and I chose not to tell him so,
I read a great book a few years ago, about communicating with older adults, that basically said, let them talk and listen, they will tell you what you need to know, repeatedly but if you shut them off, they think you don't care
DeleteVery thought provoking. My thoughts don't particularly feel like being provoked today, but I'll deal :) I have a problem with #7. I can give compliments freely. It usually sounds like I'm sucking up. I do have a problem with accepting them, though. Is one ever too old to seek out a good therapist?
ReplyDeleteI disagree with #14. As a sufferererer of depression, I can choose to be happy but my body begs to differ sometimes. I do understand the sentiment, though.
Few of are taught how to accept a complement, or how to apologize, I have had training in apology. I thought about #14, it fails to acknowledge true depression.
ReplyDeleteOnly #8 is suspect.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, the more my inner slob comes out.
Delete