Reflecting on 70 years of Life

A few weeks ago, I joined many of my friends as a septuagenarian. I honestly find it difficult to believe that many years have come and gone, but I am ever grateful for being here!

This year, my word for the year was reflect. There has been a lot to reflect on this year. In my reflections, I have had the opportunity to share with my oldest granddaughter some of the wisdom or life hacks that have come my way. 

I thought I would share them with all of you, as well. 

• First and foremost – be true to yourself! Never let others talk you out of being YOU! Don’t give up on your dreams. You may not get there immediately, but you WILL get there if you keep focused on what they are. 
• Look both ways more than once before crossing the street, at stop signs, red lights, and railroad tracks. Never assume that the other people will stop.
• Try not to be reactionary. Think before you speak, make decisions, or act on something that is happening. 
• Make your bed every day. This sounds trivial, but making the bed gives you a sense of accomplishment. Somedays, it may be the ONLY thing you accomplished fully. Life is funny like that. 
• Be careful what you ask for – I used to pray for patience and then realized I was getting a gazillion ways to practice the gift I had received. Be careful! 
• ALWAYS talk to tellers, cashiers and waitstaff. These are people who are invisible to many. If you can afford it, overtip, but regardless, always leave a tip. 
• Never doubt that what you need will come to you when you need it. HOWEVER, be open to getting something you didn’t anticipate. In other words, you might need a car for work, but you might get a friend who is willing to drive you, instead. There is always a reason for this…and, yes, sometimes you never figure out what the reason is. 
• Try to remain flexible in life. (I’m a willow, I can bend.) Just be aware that willows will snap if they a pushed too far. Flexible doesn’t mean you need to become someone else’s dumping ground. 
• Be kind to animals, children, and elders. Again, these beings are often forgotten or unseen by others. 
• Never lose the wonder for nature. We live in an incredible world! There is so much to discover. 
• Keep a rock, a feather, or a shell on your desk or table to remind you of how amazing the Creator is. 
• Don’t go Googling illnesses. If you have something wrong, see a professional. Google is great, but too much of the information found on the web is incorrect. 
• Remember the power of a smile, a kind word, or a touch. None of these costs a cent and yet they are worth a million to those who need them. 
• Hug trees. Science has found that trees communicate with each other. They are “alive.” Like all living beings, they like to be touched, too. 
• Try to have a plant in your house. Houseplants clean the air and help you feel connected to nature when you cannot get outside. If you can’t grow plants, then keep cut flowers in your space. (I used to buy myself a bunch of flowers every week on pay day when I was your age going to junior college.) 
• Be prepared. If there is one thing being a Girl Scout has taught me, it is that when you are prepared, you don’t have to worry. This can be as minute as being prepared to make dinner or as big as knowing what to do in a hurricane or tornado. 
• Look for opportunities to tell/show your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. Too often, life gets in the way of this, and people end up with regrets when it is too late to do anything or to show they care. A quick text with a heart makes all the difference in the world to those you love and who love you! 
• Remember, there are no coincidences in life. Serendipitous events are God’s way of letting you know that you are loved and cared for. Never take them for granted or push them under the rug. 
• Create regularly…even if it is only to doodle in a notebook. Keeping your creative juices flowing helps keep you from being depressed. If you can, create and give what you make away. A double blessing! You get to feel good about making something and whomever you give it to gets to share in your creativity. 
• There are four phrases that Hawaiians hold dear. They are called the Ho'oponopono. They are: “I am sorry. Forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” Use these phrases often. Never be too proud to say them. 
• Finally, remember that you are loved beyond all measure! 

Blessings to one and all!