We’ve all seen those lists for “20 things they should have known at 20 years old.” For example, make older friends so you learn from them, stay in shape when you’re younger so it’s easier when you’re older, do crazy things when you’re young because you’ll be too conservative to do them when you’re not, and sleep. Not every item on their list will apply to everyone, but those are certainly a few good tips to keep in mind even if you’re a little younger or older than 20. I have to wonder what 50 things that I should have known at 50 years old(or older)?
By 50: Manopause does exist, all of those excuses that you gave as a young woman will come back to bite you in the butt as an older woman (roles reverse), as soon as it comes out of your mouth someone will have invented it, like the wind; if you whisper someones name – they’ll blow in, never trust anyone with a secret – for they too have friends, show compassion to all, for soon you may know their experience, play brain-teasers to keep your mind sharp or they’ll tell you that you can hide your own Easter eggs, oh yeah and the sleep thing is for real.
Personally, I’ve learned a lot from life experiences, family members, teachers and believe it or not, even”spammers.” I’ve often said, “If my friends were as nice to me as the spammers on my blog, I’d walk around all day singing like Lesley Gore, “Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows, Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together.”” But… here in the real world!
Today, while sharing some of the heartfelt (tongue-in-cheek) comments from my beloved spammers from my blog with my youngest son Steven, we had a huge laugh. I said, “Where do they find the time? and With them, I’ll never be lonely.” I know I have a lot to learn, but I also know horsepucky when I’m wading through it; compliments so vague that they could be posted anywhere to fit any & all circumstance in life, I should memorize them, then I’d have the pat answer for every situation. Looks like I have learned a few things over the years after all.
I’ve never actually compiled a list of 50 things, although I’m sure if I Googled it, one does exist somewhere. Just not my own. If I did find said list, it would most assuredly consist primarily of what that writer believes [See where I put the emphasis?]. I may know a lot less or a little more than they, that’s not to say they’d be right in either case. Not to mention that their life lesson(s) wouldn’t be prudent to my lifestyle either, as mine may not be to theirs. That should be number one on my list. Never except anyone’s thoughts or lifestyle over my own.
Yesterday, I found myself quoting someone from years ago, someone that told me, “Not to believe anything that I hear and only half of what I see.” Now, those are words to live by. That should probably be number two on my list. [He said it from the pulpit, about once a week, he was a old preacher aka sexual predator that was privately thrown out of the church for having oral with select ladies of the church, but I try and remember that my mom said it too, so I choose to say the words come from her.] Go MOM!
I’m may be rightly thinking that number three should have something to do with dealing with liars or people pretending to be something that they’re not (or not). Just sayin’!
Today, I posted a quote, via one of my avid spammers, on my niece’s Facebook page, “There’s No Rush in Life: Take your risks at the right time and finally, at every stage in life, you will face the opportunity to take risks. The older you become, the more responsibilities you will have and the greater your risks. In other words, take your risks at the right time and don’t keep postponing them. It’s always best to make your mistakes early so you can rectify them.” She’s always putting something witty on her page, so I found this appropriate for her today, no matter “from whence it came.” And, to him/her I’d like to express a very sincere heart-felt thanks for the truly fitting random thought that it was.
I always tell my friends that anything worth saying has already been said, you just have to find the person that said it first; ie:”My life in a cloud.” Words of wisdom can come from anywhere; knowing what to record to memory and what to dismiss as pucky, is the same as, knowing the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowing something – doesn’t make it wise. Also, there is a scripture that will fit every circumstance in your life, ie: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. ~ Proverbs 25:11 [roughly translated means: adapted to their circumstances; right person – right time]. And it reads like poetry. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Above all, I do feel that the “Sleep” part suggested above by age 20, well, that never really works out for a woman of any age, and it becomes increasingly harder around age 50. Trust me. I could share a long list of bad things that happen after age 50, but it may dissuade you from wanting to reach it. I only wish I had listened to some of my older friends, who did try to warn me about a few things. To be honest, I thought they were making it up. Turns out to be too true for words. MERCY!
I would further like to add, I do enjoy the suspense… we could discuss Tuesday’s cleaning list, but where would the fun be in that?
What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
Share yours in the comments.
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime. ~ And then it’s winter…
Metcalf Family Mews 