Wednesday, May 8, 2013

56 things I've learned in my 56 years

Today is my 56th birthday.  I spent most of the day on the beach.  It was a great day.  I thought I'd share 56 things I've learned in my 56 years on this earth.  I hope you know most of these things.  I'm glad I can share these things with you and I look forward to learning more as I continue to live my life.
  1. God is good, all the time.
  2. I'm never going to be perfect. 
  3. Marriage is tough, but it is worth the effort.
  4. Being a mother is a tough job.
  5. I made mistakes in my parenting, but I was always doing my best.
  6. I am a child of the creator of the universe. 
  7. Telling the truth is better than lying.  The truth will always come out.
  8. My parents loved me more than I'll ever know.  Everything they did, even the things that hurt, they did because they loved me and were doing the best they could.
  9. Saying "please" and "thank you" go a long way.
  10. Worrying about things changes nothing.  Worrying just wastes time and keeps you from acting.
  11. You cannot pray too much.
  12. Church people are going to let you down.  Put your faith in God, not people, even good people.
  13. Saving money for a rainy day is better than looking for a loan.
  14. Accepting the way you look will allow you to have more vacation pictures with you in them. 
  15. Trust your gut.  If it doesn't feel right, don't do it.
  16. Every day is a new chance to do better. 
  17. Say "no" when you really want to say no. 
  18. Say "yes" to yourself.  Don't put yourself last on your to-do list.
  19. Exercise gratitude.  Don't take your blessings for granted.
  20. Smiles are contagious
  21. It's easier to clean up messes right away than it is if you wait until later.
  22. You can't hold a baby too much.
  23. Be encouraging to a mom having a tough time with her toddler in a store.  Don't give her a hard time.
  24. Be on time.  Making people wait for you is arrogant.
  25. Remember that school teachers aren't always right and you know your child better than they do.
  26. Some people cannot be taught.  They just refuse to learn.  I call them knuckleheads.
  27. Don't carry a grudge.  Keeping hatred in your heart for someone is like drinking poison and expecting them to die. 
  28. Get along with your neighbors. 
  29. When people tell or show you who they are, believe them. 
  30. If you can get a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life.
  31. If you can't get the job you love, do a good job at the job you have while you are there.
  32. Be kind to your parents.  Even when they get older and lose their health and mental faculties.
  33. Walk as much has you can.
  34. What goes around comes around.  Be kind to people.
  35. When you have your health, you have an easier life.  Do what you can through diet and exercise to keep yourself healthy.
  36. When things don't go your way, work on solving the problem, don't be a victim.
  37. A good night's sleep is a way to solve many of life's problems.
  38. Money and things do not bring happiness.
  39. Happiness is multiplied when it is shared with others.
  40. The only person you can change in this world is yourself.
  41. No one can steal your joy.  You have to give it away.
  42. Remember that your children don't live in the same world you grew up in.
  43. If you buy a new shirt, throw an old shirt away.  This way you won't collect too much stuff.
  44. Watching too much t.v. or playing video games too much is just keeping you from participating in life.
  45. Nobody sinks into poverty by being generous.
  46. Don't use God's name in vain.  
  47. Words have power.  Be careful with what you say to others and what you say to yourself.
  48. Drink water.
  49. Tell the people you love that you love them.  Out loud!
  50. Don't gossip or participate in gossip.  No good can come of this.
  51. If it sounds too good to be true.  It most likely isn't true or good.
  52. If you don't want EVERYBODY to know something, don't put it on facebook.
  53. Be friends with your siblings.  It's the longest relationship you will have with anyone you know.
  54. Pick your battles in life.  Pick them carefully and then, don't lose.
  55. Pick up the check when you go out for a meal with your dad.
  56. Troubles don't last.  And time is a great healer.
I'm linking over at Emily's at Imperfect Prose on Thursdays.


300.  Another birthday
301.  Being treated like a queen by my husband
302.  Birthday calls from all my family
303.  My son singing Happy Birthday to me over the phone
304.  The day isn't over yet so there is more fun to come

19 comments:

  1. ha. true on the messes...so is today your birthday? if so happy birthday...some nice wisdom you have gleened...

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  2. Happy birthday to you! Some great advice you're sharing there. We think we know it all when we're teenagers. We learn differently, don't we? ;)

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  3. Elizabeth StewartMay 8, 2013 at 10:14 PM

    Lots of wisdom here, friend.

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  4. Elizabeth StewartMay 8, 2013 at 10:14 PM

    And happy, happy birthday!

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  5. Happy Birthday! Thank you for sharing the wisdom you've gained and for helping us to remember what is most important.

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  6. Happy birthday and I just LOVE this list. From what I can see 56 years has brought much wisdom to your life. Love this so much!

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  7. #24 ouches me. Good list, though. Hope your birthday was awesome possum.

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  8. Hope you had a great birthday. Your list reminds me of the Proverbs, wisdom upon looking back to guide the rest of us.

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  9. Kaitlin @ Homemaker DesignMay 12, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    Awwwe! (your 1000 list items at the end - so cute!!!)

    I LOVED this - I agreed and thought so much of what you wrote to be really, really good!! I'd say I liked this one and that one, but there really are to many to list! I hope you had a happy and blessed birthday!!! ☼

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  10. Happy birthday, friend. I read these things with great respect for learning what I can from a similar personality type. Thanks for the tips!!

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  11. Oh I love this! Wonderful post, I like the one about accepting how you look and you will be in more photos because I need to do that.

    http://www.AMomsPointOfView.com

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  12. a very belated but just as sincere happy birthday. seems you are a wise one for sure.

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  13. Sorry to have missed your birthday. Your list is a good one. Great idea to do this!

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  14. Agree on all the 56 points :-)

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  15. Valerie Chateau A La ModeJune 17, 2013 at 2:35 AM

    Sorry I missed your special day. I've been a bit out of touch around blogland. I love this post! What a great idea and I thnk you have learned many, many great things in your 56 years. Just think what you will learn in the next 56 ;)

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  16. I was 56 on Friday 17th October, to be honest I felt as depressed as you like, but reading this list I have to agree with all your points,even though some of them I find very hard to do, thank you

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  17. Happy Birthday Martin. Thank you for the kind comment. It was good for me to re-read this post. I need to start doing the hard ones more often. *smile*

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  18. Thanks for you’re sharing, I really like it. I often read these information, it helps me feel more relaxing after working.

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