Friday, June 4, 2010

Wisdom Comes With Age

In my library/office I have a desk. On that desk I have propped a large bulletin board. I call it my "creative inspiration" board. I have tacked all sorts of things on that board. Pictures from magazines, quotes, snippets of notes, color charts, mementos....you name it. It's probably on there. Last night as I sat at my desk, my eyes wandered to some "life lessons" I had cut out of a magazine several months ago. The article in the magazine was about women that had lived to be at least one hundred years old. What were their words of wisdom to those of us that aren't yet centenarians? I think you might find their life lessons interesting, so I'm going to share some of them with you today. As you well know I like to share my own opinions ( I can't help it) so I added my 2 cents worth in the parentheses. Enjoy.....and learn.

*Frances Johnson

-If it's not terminal, why worry? And if it is, you can't do anything about it. (this is so very true....so much of life is really not under our control, even though we like to believe it is. Worry does nothing for us. I know I'm one to talk because worry is something I'm so good at---but I'm trying to trust more than I worry.)

-If you don't know what to do, don't do anything. (I don't know about you, but for myself I realize that sometimes I run around like a chicken with it's head chopped off --I know a pleasant visual. It would be better for me to just sit quietly and wait.)

-A meal's not done until you have dessert. (Enough said...and if it happens to be chocolate than all the better.)

-Stay active and keep your mind sharp. (I plan on still having my wits about me when I'm old...and if I don't...well, I won't know the difference.)

-Something good usually comes out of bad events. (I have a favorite movie quote that is similar to this. "Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's what's in the middle that counts."  It really is about perspective. No one I know enjoys life's bad events, but they happen, so try to find at least a little good in the midst of the bad.)

-When playing Scrabble, don't use up your S's right away. (I agree.)

*Edna Anderson

-Keep walking. You'll be so happy you can walk when you're old. (I love to walk. I think these are wonderful words of wisdom. Walking is not only good physical exercise, but is a good time to think, or chat with a friend.)

-Avoid a fast talker when looking for a husband. Go for someone who's steady. (I don't think she means find a man that is a limp dishrag or someone who is just a knot on a log. I think she means a man who is there for the long haul. Someone with grit and determination....because life is hard and so is marriage. It is not for the faint of heart. If you want a fast talker buy a parrot.)

-More is not necessarily better. Going for first or biggest leads to unhappiness. (All one has to do is take one look at the entertainment industry in this country and this bit of wisdom will be obvious. Things, wealth, and popularity do not buy happiness. That is why so many entertainers are in rehab, divorced, or dead. Sad, but true.)

-There are still happy times ahead after loss. (I know this from personal experience. I am a living testament to the fact that there is happiness after loss. Thank you, Lord.)

*Melva Radcliffe

-Anything you love is important. ( If you love something, it matters...regardless of anyone else's opinion. One of my favorite childhood books is The Velveteen Rabbit. It's a great story about love.)

-Don't be afraid to travel.  (Amen, sister! Some of my very best memories are from my travels. Traveling makes us all adventurers.Plus it also gives you some great stories to tell.)

-Good table manners count. (No one is going to think highly of you, if you look or act like you were raised in a barn. It doesn't matter how witty or intelligent you might be, if you eat like a barnyard animal it will be difficult for others to overlook it.)

-Children love praise. They'll do something again and again just to get you to praise them. (Children are just like the rest of us. We all like a pat on the back or being told of a job well done.  Genuine praise, not false flattery. Even children can tell the difference.)

-You'll always need your girlfriends. (As much as I have truly enjoyed my friendships with males--and eventual marriage to my best friend--they cannot take the place of "my girls". Women just "get" each other. Sometimes we babble, sometimes we sulk, sometimes we cry and sometimes we laugh....and sometimes we do it all within a 5 minute time frame. I love my girlfriends. They've got my back.)

-Clean your teeth three times a day. (This is especially near and dear to me. I have been blessed with "good" teeth. I know this isn't the case with everyone, so I am grateful. I also know since I am highly addicted to southern style sweet tea that if I don't brush my teeth at least 3 times a day I will suffer later. Since I plan on having my pearly whites until they lay me in a casket.....I will continue to brush religiously. Amen.)

1 comment:

  1. "If it's not termial, why worry?"

    Oh, this is a good one. Thanks for starting my day off with a smile... and sharing this bit of inspiration from your board, Dawn!

    ReplyDelete