Top 20 Truths I Learned In My First 40 Years

Carl Jung was quoted to have said, “Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.” With that in mind, having turned that age this year myself, I decided to make my own list of truths, ones that I had come across in my first forty years. Some of them seem to be no-brainers. Whereas others I had to work them over and through in my mind, seeing them for the gems they truly are. If nothing more, I’ve gleaned a sense of self that I will continue to carry with me into the next forty.

Use them, borrow them, print them out and put them up and be reminded of them daily. It’s all well and good. Take what resonates with your soul and discard the rest.

They are as follows:

  1. Wear the swimsuit, those who mind don’t matter, and those that matter don’t mind. Your kids only know love not the size, or the weight of your body.
  2. Worrying takes away from the now. Like Edna Mode from The Incredibles says, “Don’t look back, Dahling, it distracts from the now.” My rule, if it won’t matter in three months then toss the thought in the trash. It was never meant to stick around anyway.
  3. Eat dessert first if you can, you can always take your dinner home for leftovers. Many dishes are better the next day anyway, so it’s a win-win.
  4. Love is the answer to just about everything, that and the number 42.
  5. Self care is important. It’s not selfish. You can’t give to people when your cup is empty. You matter, don’t forget that.
  6. Forgiveness in all forms is necessary for love; forgiveness of self and forgiveness of others. It is vital for growth and happiness.
  7. Have an attitude of gratitude. You can ALWAYS be grateful for something. The fact that we even woke up this morning is more than most people get.
  8. Miracles are real and happen everyday.
  9. My default settings are happiness and joy. On the hard days, I remember this and it does in fact get better.
  10. I know that tomorrow I get another chance to start over, to begin again. Where I may have fallen short today becomes a stepping stone for a better tomorrow.
  11. Advice should ONLY be given when asked for.
  12. Doing something nice for others is the quickest way to turn your day around. Paying it forward helps more than just
  13. Remember that everyone is fighting a private battle we know nothing about so be kind.
  14. None of us get out of here alive and we are all winging it so cut everyone you meet some slack. Forgive them when you can.
  15. Mindfulness is good for the heart and for the soul.
  16. Life is hard. Never give up. You don’t know who you will inspire by just being yourself.
  17. Wrinkles and grey hair are badges of courage and should be considered as such for a life well-lived. Wear each one with pride for not everyone gets the luxury.
  18. Living a good life takes courage, lots and lots of courage. Like the lottery…you don’t win if you don’t play.
  19. Being kind costs nothing. Sprinkle that stuff around like confetti!

19a. Also, energy doesn’t lie so trust the feelings you receive.

19b. It’s okay that we don’t have all the answers. Not everything needs to be known in the now.

19c. If you didn’t break a person it is not your job to fix them. You’re job is to just not hurt them.

  1. …and last but not least… you only get one body so love it the best way you know how. Eat well, exercise often, love hard, forgive easily, and for the love of all things holy and good eat the chocolate!

 

 

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