For some time I’ve collected random ideas on aging from articles, books, and conversations. I thought Post-it notes would be easier to sort. Turned out it’s easier with Word. Here’s the grab-bag.
Let Go
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- Time to let go and not care:
what others think of you.
what you should do or say.
about expressing yourself in your way in your words.
- You no longer need to have the latest popular item. It’s time to let go of worry; about terrorists, aging, immigrants, money, the latest fashion, or looking like a 20-year-old.
- You don’t have to keep up with the Joneses — or anyone else.
- Doing more is not necessarily the goal — unless you believe, “He who has the most toys or trips wins.”
- Do you fear the loss of control, of power, and self?
- The biggest fears are in our mind. “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” (Seneca, 45AD) This is so true.
- Time to stop worrying, and get on with living.
Carpe Diem
- Don’t buy into delayed gratification. You probably don’t have time, or don’t need to delay.
- Life is very short. Death is very long (fortunately you won’t notice).
- It’s an exciting time to do those things you wanted to do, perhaps things you dreamed of but put off, or perhaps new desires that you didn’t see before.
- Now it’s time to honestly answer the question, “What do I want to do with my life?”
- Get engaged with something to find out what turns you on. Finding meaning is not an armchair activity.
- You might not solve the world’s problems, but you can make a difference, to one person, to one organization, to one cause.
Happiness
- Pleasure and happiness are not the same. Seeking pleasure rarely brings happiness.
- Stop trying to be happy and start doing what satisfies you, what you like, what you’re good at, and what is meaningful to you. Then you’ll be happy.
- Do things you are proud of.
- If you can’t find pleasure in the everyday simple things, you probably won’t find pleasure traveling to exotic places.
What’s Important?
- If you knew you were going to die in 12 months, what would you do? How would you want to be remembered?
- Imagine you died, then came back here for a short time. What would you think, say or do?
- You don’t have to prove anything to anybody, including yourself. This is your time to do what makes you feel good.
- Do you know what makes you feel good? Think about the last time you were truly, deeply happy. What was happening?
Wisdom
- You have wisdom, a vast library of experience. It’s a pity not to use it.
- Do you see yourself as fixed, or as growing? To live long, explore and grow.
- Life without contemplation is not worth living. But a life that’s all contemplation is not lived.
- Who am I at this point in my life?
- A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.
- You are special, just as you are now. Take a deep breath, smile, say “Thank you.”
- Life is brief and precious. Don’t waste it. You only get one chance.
- Are any of these comments particularly interesting? Please let me know.
I welcome your suggestions, questions, or comments.
Thank you for visiting,
me, Barry Phegan
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