65 Heading Towards 75

I asked one of my friends who has crossed  "65 & is heading towards 75". What sort of change he is feeling in him if any?

He sent me the following observations about himself, which I would like to share with all of you:

1) After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children, my friends, now I have started loving myself.

2) I just realised that I am not an “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.

3) I now stopped bargaining with vegetables & fruits vendors. After all, a few rupees more is not going to burn a hole in my pocket, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.

4) I pay the taxi driver without waiting for the change. The extra money might bring a smile on his face. After all he is toiling much harder for a living than me.

5) I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. After all, the story makes them walk down the memory lane & relive the past.

6)  I have learnt "not to correct people even when I know they are wrong". After all, the onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.

7) I have started giving compliments freely & generously. After all it's a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me.

8) I have learnt not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. After all, personality speaks louder than appearances. 

9) I walk away from people who don't value me. After all, they might not know my worth, but I do.

10) I remain cool when someone plays dirty politics to outrun me in the rat race. After all, I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.

11) I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. After all, it's my emotions that make me human.

12)  I have learnt that its better to drop the "ego than to break a relationship".  After all, my ego will keep me aloof whereas with relationships I will never be alone.

13)  I have learnt to live each day as if it's the last. Please enjoy every day .

14) I am doing what makes me happy. After all, I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to me.

The question is are you going to do all this when you are 65 & heading towards 75 or now. 

Try being a kindling spirit.

7%

Written by a 90 year old. This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!! 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written".

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy clothes. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

It is estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family that you choose. It's worth reading.