Wisdom from Almost 8 Decades of Living

I asked a friend, who has crossed 70 and is heading towards 80, what sort of changes he is feeling in himself. 

This is what he shared:

“After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, and my friends, I have now started to love myself. 

“I've realized that I'm not Atlas. The world does not rest on my shoulders. 

“I have stopped bargaining with vegetable and fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help them save for their children's school fees. 

“I leave servers a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to their face. 

“I stopped telling the elderly that they've already told me this story many times before. The story makes them walk down memory lane and relive their happy past. 

“I've learned not to correct people even when I know they're wrong. Peace is more precious than perfection. 

“I give compliments freely and generously. Compliments are mood enhancers, not only for their recipient, but also for me, and a small tip for the recipient of that compliment. Never, never, never turn it down. Just say, thank you. 

“I've learned not to bother about a crease or spot on my shirt. Character speaks louder than appearances. 

“I've walked away from people who don't value me. They may not know my worth, but I certainly do. 

“I remain cool when someone plays dirty or tries to cheat me to outrun me in the rat race. I'm not a rat, and neither am I in a race. 

“I'm learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It's my emotions after all, and those emotions make me human. 

“I've learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I'll never be alone. 

“I've learned to live each day as if it was my last. After all, it just might be. 

“I'm 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. You just need to choose to be.” 

Based on an excerpt from IT’S PERSONAL, NOT BUSINESS podcast, Episode 8 and thank you to Stan Holden for posting this on LinkedIn.