50 Things I've Learned in 50 years
1. No one will ever love you like your dog.
2. Marry the nice one. Not the cool one. Not the rich one. Not the charming one. The nice one.
3. Gardening fuels your soul. Something about planting a seed and sharing the harvest with others makes you feel connected.
4. Try never to be the smartest person in the room so that you're always learning.
5. Tip good waiters well.
6. Learn to calculate a tip in your head. It will mesmerize people.
7. Celebrate every birthday like it's your last because you never really know.
8. Hug people. Not in a creepy, forceful way but to let them know you care.
9. Tell the teacher that mattered that they mattered.
10. Tell anyone that mattered, that they mattered.
11. Take the least stressful route when driving even if it's not the fastest.
12. Read.
13. Sometimes people are assholes and that's just how it is.
14. Go to lectures at the local university because you should never stop learning and you'll meet other people who want to grow as well.
15. You have no idea what it's like to be a parent until you are a parent- for better or for worse.
16. If someone wants to end a relationship with you- friendship, romantic- let them. And don't be angry about it. It opens the door for you both to find your tribe.
17. Religion has little to do with spirituality or morality.
18. Don't buy a car the same day you test drive it. It will be there the next day.
19. Travel every time you have the opportunity.
20. Don't let other people take their issues out on you.
21. When you public speak, put your non-dominant foot slightly forward. Your subconscious will freak out about it and you will be less nervous.
22. If you're raising a child, let them fail. They need to learn that it won't kill them and that they can recover.
23. Dressing up makes me feel good when I'm down.
24. Wear loafers or slide on shoes when you fly- and socks. Those floors are disgusting.
25. Just because you're related to someone doesn't mean you have to put up with their behaviors towards you or others. You don't get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card because you share DNA.
26. Mix in a tablespoon of water to scrambled eggs prior to cooking and you will have fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs.
27. Thick pillows hurt my neck.
28. Looking at the stars reminds me how truly insignificant I am in the spectrum of time.
29. Having money doesn't make people happy but not worrying about having money is nice.
30. No matter how much you love what you do, some days it's going to suck and you simply need to deal with it.
31. Not sticking to a fitness routine was a very bad idea.
32. People are like roses- they have the ability to be beautiful and sweet if they are appreciated and thorny and difficult if they aren't.
33. Keep the cards and notes from your grandparents.
34. Learning to sew was a great skill that has come in handy.
35. No one can take away your education- it's a worthwhile investment. It's not about the diploma- it's about what you learned.
36. Becoming involved in government is your civic duty.
37. Have friends of all ages.
38. Not everyone is going to like you and as hard as it seems, you have to be okay with that.
39. If you're going to have a business, it's a lot of work. Ridiculous work. Don't start one unless you are ready to work harder than you ever have.
40. Be kind. That doesn't mean be a pushover- limits are fine- but being an asshole never pays off.
41. Creative arts- music, theater, art- are essential.
42. Hair grows out.
43. Don't ever say "What else could happen?" because you will find out.
44. Having the last word isn't important.
45. Don't miss the moments because you're stuck in your own head.
46. Find the humor in life.
47. Don't put plastic containers on the bottom rack of the dishwasher even if they say it's okay. It's not.
48. Your relationships tend to reflect what you put into them.
49. Real friends will get you through anything.
50. Every night say thank you for the fact that you were giving another day.
2. Marry the nice one. Not the cool one. Not the rich one. Not the charming one. The nice one.
3. Gardening fuels your soul. Something about planting a seed and sharing the harvest with others makes you feel connected.
4. Try never to be the smartest person in the room so that you're always learning.
5. Tip good waiters well.
6. Learn to calculate a tip in your head. It will mesmerize people.
7. Celebrate every birthday like it's your last because you never really know.
8. Hug people. Not in a creepy, forceful way but to let them know you care.
9. Tell the teacher that mattered that they mattered.
10. Tell anyone that mattered, that they mattered.
11. Take the least stressful route when driving even if it's not the fastest.
12. Read.
13. Sometimes people are assholes and that's just how it is.
14. Go to lectures at the local university because you should never stop learning and you'll meet other people who want to grow as well.
15. You have no idea what it's like to be a parent until you are a parent- for better or for worse.
16. If someone wants to end a relationship with you- friendship, romantic- let them. And don't be angry about it. It opens the door for you both to find your tribe.
17. Religion has little to do with spirituality or morality.
18. Don't buy a car the same day you test drive it. It will be there the next day.
19. Travel every time you have the opportunity.
20. Don't let other people take their issues out on you.
21. When you public speak, put your non-dominant foot slightly forward. Your subconscious will freak out about it and you will be less nervous.
22. If you're raising a child, let them fail. They need to learn that it won't kill them and that they can recover.
23. Dressing up makes me feel good when I'm down.
24. Wear loafers or slide on shoes when you fly- and socks. Those floors are disgusting.
25. Just because you're related to someone doesn't mean you have to put up with their behaviors towards you or others. You don't get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card because you share DNA.
26. Mix in a tablespoon of water to scrambled eggs prior to cooking and you will have fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs.
27. Thick pillows hurt my neck.
28. Looking at the stars reminds me how truly insignificant I am in the spectrum of time.
29. Having money doesn't make people happy but not worrying about having money is nice.
30. No matter how much you love what you do, some days it's going to suck and you simply need to deal with it.
31. Not sticking to a fitness routine was a very bad idea.
32. People are like roses- they have the ability to be beautiful and sweet if they are appreciated and thorny and difficult if they aren't.
33. Keep the cards and notes from your grandparents.
34. Learning to sew was a great skill that has come in handy.
35. No one can take away your education- it's a worthwhile investment. It's not about the diploma- it's about what you learned.
36. Becoming involved in government is your civic duty.
37. Have friends of all ages.
38. Not everyone is going to like you and as hard as it seems, you have to be okay with that.
39. If you're going to have a business, it's a lot of work. Ridiculous work. Don't start one unless you are ready to work harder than you ever have.
40. Be kind. That doesn't mean be a pushover- limits are fine- but being an asshole never pays off.
41. Creative arts- music, theater, art- are essential.
42. Hair grows out.
43. Don't ever say "What else could happen?" because you will find out.
44. Having the last word isn't important.
45. Don't miss the moments because you're stuck in your own head.
46. Find the humor in life.
47. Don't put plastic containers on the bottom rack of the dishwasher even if they say it's okay. It's not.
48. Your relationships tend to reflect what you put into them.
49. Real friends will get you through anything.
50. Every night say thank you for the fact that you were giving another day.
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