70 years of lessons
1.
Being a kid is fun; so I will continue to be one
until I die.
2.
Take time to breathe, and breathe deeply.
3.
Laugh when things are funny. When things aren’t
funny, find something funny about the situation. Laugh and laugh some more.
4.
Creating draws from the soul, so I seek my soul’s
help often.
5.
Create paintings, collages, recipes, gardens, writings,
quilts, scrapbooks, journals, wreaths, and anything else that is fun. Try to create something everyday.
6.
Seek the presence of God as many minutes a day
as I would want Him to protect and love me.
7.
Be spontaneous! You’re a kid, remember?
8.
Be flexible, it makes stretching lessons so much
easier.
9.
Get outside as much as you can. Outside air generates more energy.
10. Love
with the intensity and energy that it takes to remove a stubborn pickle lid.
11. Say
“I love you,” more than you think you need to do.
12. Hug
all who are loveable, and hug the unlovable twice as much.
13. Read
God’s word every day.
14. Seek
God.
15. Teach
a child a life lesson whether you are playing ball, making art, or eating
dinner with them.
16. Eat
at the dining table everyday and offer blessings to all who are there.
17. Use
your best crystal to drink your wine.
Today is special.
18. Float
with the musical notes around you. Dance and turn round and round.
19. Sing
simply; sing often.
20. Forgive
your past; God has.
21. Savor
the sparkles in the sea, the warm breeze against your skin, the sweet smell of
Jasmine tea, the purity of a clear blue sky, and the fragrance of the rose.
22. Learn
from your adult children. They are bright.
After all, who were their mother and father?
23. Cherish
old and new friendships. Each of these
people was sent from God to help mold you.
24. Giggle
with your husband and at your husband every day of your life.
25. Hold
no grudges. They make wrinkles in your
soul and your brow.
26. Read
constantly. Read for pleasure, learning,
coping, and hoping.
27. Pray
constantly for your children and grandchildren. You may be their only
intercessor for the day.
28. Guard
yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.
29. Do
not weary the Lord with your words, “Where is the God of justice?” Know that He
is justice and righteousness. Trust Him.
30. If
life is going to work on my behalf, I must give myself permission to grow, to
change, and to let go.
31. For
me to grow spiritually, I must make an empty space by ridding myself of
garbage. Then, a new truth and epiphany
can have room to enter.
32. Be
content by not comparing. Just be.
33. Reach
for new truths, special activities, and meeting new people. These will enrich your body, mind, and soul.
34. Remember
to say prayers of thanks everyday. They
make God smile.
35. Slow
down. I can’t get to my destination until I get there. Enjoy the curves, the hills, and valleys.
36. Life
is good if I choose to think it is.
37. Accept
that sometimes I make wrong turns, choices, or words. God forgives me so should
I.
38. We
are made in God’s image. Be merciful; it
is built within.
39. Resist
blaming or imagining the worst. Instead,
take one step, a baby step in the process of understanding the lesson that is
to be learned.
40. Remember
all the snow that the storm brought must melt someday. The storm is passing. This too shall pass.
41. I
know that in all situations, every day, in every situation, I can depend on
God. He never fails.
42. Take
time for rest, reflection, and time alone.
Spiritual vibrations only happen when we take time for them.
43. When
I can’t, faith can.
44. Grab
every opportunity to travel. Save for
it, so when the great deal comes along, you can go.
45. Find
the sacred in everyday.
46. The
color of the sky at its last light paints an orange you will never forget.
47. Pay
attention to the sparkle in another’s eye or respond to the hurt you feel in
their heart.
48. Know
everyone has a story. Take time to ask
them.
49. If
you really listen, you can hear each other’s pain and fears. Pray for them.
50. Behold
the blossom. It won’t last for long.
51. Listen
to your life. Your smallest incident may
be your biggest moment of awareness.
52. Love
well.
53. I’ve
learned that everyday I need to reach out and give a hug, pat someone on the
back, or drop a special note of affirmation.
54. Life
gives second chances if you are sensitive enough to find them
55. No
matter how awful today is I know that joy will return in the morning or perhaps
the next day.
56. Enjoy
now. It doesn’t matter if you are
overweight; under dressed, house is a mess, or a bad hair day. Just enjoy today and cherish the now.
57. Kiss
often, hug spontaneously, and pray for your spouse every day.
58. Laugh
uncontrollably at anything that starts that giggle force.
59. Dance
with your Heavenly Father. Twirl, waltz, and bow before him often.
60. Doodle
when idle, it is like yoga for the brain.
61. Allow
your toes to sink in the sand, splash in a mud puddle, or stand bare footed on
soft grass because it will make you aware of how really grounded you are.
62. Thank
your bones, tissue, ligaments, hands, feet, legs, cells, and any other parts of
your body for being healthy and moving you through this journey. Speak
gratefulness to your body.
63. Gratitude
is the key to happy living. Pausing,
seeing, and looking for the little things that make life great brings not only
joy, but also humility. I am humbled because I have not taken time to
appreciate my mother’s teacup and all the memories it holds. I am humbled when you acknowledge it is your
husband’s morning kiss that means far more than the gifts he buys for me.
64. Speaking
of gifts; everyone enjoys a surprise gift for no reason at all except that they
are dear to me.
65. Tell
your grandchildren about your childhood.
Tell them things you feared or desired and ask them to share the same
with you. I discover amazing things in
the minds and hearts of my sweet granddaughters.
66. Write
your children a yearly letter (I choose birthdays). I tell them why I love them and the gifts
that I admire in them. I share stories of their past and cute things they did
as little guys. I write through tears
because I love them so much.
67. I’ve
kept a daily journal for years and years.
It grounds me and I share new truths, epiphanies, and dreams in it. I copy favorite poems or talk about a book
that had permanent impact on my mind, soul, or body.
68. I
try to exercise everyday. I remind myself that those who age well aren’t
necessarily killing themselves in hours in the gym, but they are choosing
exercise that they enjoy. I bet that is
why they do it each day.
69. Learning
to listen is the greatest gift a mother can give to her kids, a spouse to her mate,
and a grandmother to her grand babies.
Listen well and concentrate on what details they are willing to share
and are important to them.
70. Live
life well. It may be a sunbath at the
beach, setting a beautiful table from the flowers in your yard, creating a
painting that no one may like but you.
Share dinner with your family as often as possible. Speak positives and affirmations to encourage
those around you. I’m still learning to live life well but sure am enjoying the
moment I am in.
