My birthday is this week and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on what really matters in life. So, here are my thoughts on what I have learned over the last six decades in no particular order.
- I’ve learned no one is perfect — including me.
- I’ve learned I am the combination of the five people I spend the most time with.
- I’ve learned balance and moderation are important.
- I’ve learned gratitude is the key to happiness.
- I’ve learned not to compare myself to others.
- I’ve learned money doesn’t buy happiness.
- I’ve learned experiences are more important than things.
- I’ve learned not to take myself too seriously.
- I’ve learned to create my own luck.
- I’ve learned to love God and love people.
- I’ve learned to say my prayers
- I’ve learned that time really does heal most wounds.
- I’ve learned that if you watch your pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves.
- I’ve learned to set big goals for myself and to use smaller goals to achieve my big goals
- I’ve learned that life isn’t always fair.
- I’ve learned to encourage others.
- I’ve learned that I need to be a better listener.
- I’ve learned not to be a sore loser.
- I’ve learned that if I can’t say anything nice, not to say anything at all.
- I’ve learned that just because I can do something, it doesn’t mean I should do something.
- I’ve learned that commitment requires sacrifice.
- I’ve learned that all decisions have consequences.
- I’ve learned that I shouldn’t text and drive.
- I’ve learned that I should always clean up after myself.
- I’ve learned that stretching every day is important.
- I’ve learned that it’s much easier to stay in shape than it is to get back into shape.
- I’ve learned that you can almost never drink too much water.
- I’ve learned that I can catch a lot more flies with honey than I can with vinegar.
- I’ve learned that words can actually hurt a lot more than sticks and stones.
- I’ve learned that it’s often better not to say what you really think.
- I’ve learned that past failures don’t prevent future success.
- I’ve learned to regularly do things that I fear.
- I’ve learned that dog hair gets everywhere.
- I’ve learned that time really does fly.
- I’ve learned to always use my powers for good and not for evil.
- I’ve learned to count my blessings.
- I’ve learned that there is nothing in life that’s predictable.
- I’ve learned to stop worrying about what others think.
- I’ve learned that shit happens so I should always be prepared for it.
- I’ve learned to be kind to my body because I am going to have it for the rest of my life.
- I’ve learned to buy a comfortable mattress because I will spend ⅓ of my life on it.
- I’ve learned to stay out of other people’s business.
- I’ve learned to look people in the eye when I talk to them.
- I’ve learned to listen to my gut.
- I’ve learned to never think that work is more important than family.
- I’ve learned that actions speak louder than words.
- I’ve learned that without your health, you have nothing.
- I’ve learned that my family is important.
- I’ve learned that pursuing my purpose is important.
- I’ve learned that persistence pays off.
- I’ve learned that I am totally responsible for my own life.
- I’ve learned to believe that anything is possible!
- I’ve learned that I’ll never succeed alone in life.
- I’ve learned that if I don’t love my work I need to find work I do love
- I’ve learned the importance of focus.
- I’ve learned that if I keep getting back up I will never fail.
- I’ve learned that everyone likes somebody who gets to the point quickly.
- I’ve learned that yelling always makes things worse.
- I’ve learned that I can’t connect the dots in my life going forward I can only connect them looking backward.
- I’ve learned to be grateful for what I have.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Originally published on Medium
Photo—Patrick Emerson/Flickr