Ever Stop to Think….Part Two

Isn’t it amazing the perspective and wisdom that comes with time? Yesterday I started a look at some life lessons – to keep it from being a novel, I’ve split the post into two for better reflection.

It’s amazing how in time we go from our parents understand nothing to wishing we could get more views from them, usually too late.  How much easier so many things would be if we listened – truly listened – to them at the time.

 

 

56. If anything is worth splurging on, it’s a high-quality mattress. You’ll spend a third of your life using it.

I’d go further than that. It affects everything to get a good night’s rest. If you’ve ever had back pain it really teaches the value of a good night’s sleep. Sound sleep, which we restore the body and wake refreshed, can be a factor in our entire life.

66. Most of what children learn from their parents isn’t taught on purpose. 

Values, ethics, how to navigate in the world kids learn from watching us. They model what they see – good or bad – and live up (or down) to the expectations set for them. Encourage children – they are, truly, the future.

70. Nothing — ever — happens exactly like you pictured it.

The last five months trying to get the funds situated for land has taught this repeatedly. And it will continue to teach, for even when we get rolling there will be things happen that isn’t quite as we picture. Animals get sick, sometimes die. Things happen, we get hurt, things break. Life happens.

75. You can’t hide a bad mood from people who know you well, but you can always be polite.

Sometimes we just need to vent. Not blame, vent. Things aren’t always good and we’re not always positive. Sometimes life sucks and denying it doesn’t help. This doesn’t mean taking things out on everyone around us unjustly. Sometimes we need to say to the person in front of us “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault I just need to vent.” Then value those who let us do it.

81. Life is a solo trip, but you’ll have lots of visitors. Some of them are long-term, most aren’t.

I think back 10 years, 15 or 20 years and the people who have crossed our paths. Some were very good friends at the time that we’ve lost touch with. Sometimes there have been people that I thought would be around permanently, but they weren’t. And sometimes they leave before we’re ready for them to.

82. One of the best things you can do for your kids is take them on road trips. I’m not a parent, but I was a kid once.

These are the thing that make memories! I don’t remember the urgent things I wanted as a kid that I didn’t get – but I remember the weekend trips to collect black walnuts along backroads, and the giant excavation equipment my dad took us to see. I remember trips to fairs and cattle shows. And I remember a trip to Alaska that made for lifetime memories. It was done as a family – and makes a difference.

86. Wishing things were different is a great way to torture yourself.

We can’t unring a bell. We can’t change things we did. Wishing things were different is beneficial only if it generates action to MAKE things different! Don’t be a hopeless case. Act on it.

88. Killing time is an atrocity. It’s priceless, and it never grows back.

This is true for the ages. We all have the same amount of time daily – how we use it is up to each of us individually. We can’t get back the hours wasted in our youth. We can’t give time visiting someone once their gone. When our time is up we can’t hit the snooze alarm. Make the most of what we have been given…and time is a bigger asset than many realize. Use it wisely.