Th`k: 19 Lessons for Living: Advice as One Gets Older

Older generations can provide valuable lessons and guidance, as they’re able to connect with others regarding some of life’s most important experiences.   Accessing the wisdom of those who have lived a full life and have the perspective to see what did and what didn’t make a difference, can bring insight to all generations.

How do elders look back on the choices they have made and what are the most important lessons they want to pass on to younger people? Here are 19 rules of thumb to help focus on what really matters.

1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no idea of the sacrifices you made to get it. Enjoy the present moment. The sand in the clock may run out at any time.
2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren. You've taken care of them for many years and you’ve taught them by example and what you accomplished. You gave them an education, food, shelter, and support. Now, it’s their responsibility to earn their way.
3. Keep a healthy life with a healthy diet and exercise (like walking every day), Get enough sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. Keep in touch with your doctor, and get tested even when you're feeling well. Stay informed.
4. Don't stress over the little things. You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past weigh you down or the future frighten you.
5. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor, your surroundings, and your country. We are never old as long as we have intelligence and affection.
6. Be proud, both inside and out. Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber. Take care of yourself. Go to the dermatologist and the dentist. Keep your health and beauty products well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong on the inside.
7. Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. But don’t try too hard to wear the current fashions of the young. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.
8. Read the news; watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and use some of those social networks. You'll be surprised which old friends you'll meet again. Keeping in touch with what is going on in your community, nation, and with the people you know is important at any age.
9. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same viewpoints as yours, but they are the future and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them of yesterday's wisdom, which still applies today.
10. Never use the phrase: "In my time". Your time is now. As long as you're alive, you are part of this time. You have been younger, but you are still you, able to have fun and enjoy life.
11. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days in the latter mode. Spend time with positive, cheerful people as it'll rub off on you and your days will seem so much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.
12. Don't abandon your hobbies. If you don't have any, make some. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. Adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, online games, pickle ball, golf. You can paint, volunteer or start a collection of items that interest you. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.
13. Even if you don't feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, museums. Get out of the house, engage with people you haven't seen in a while, experience something new (or something old).  But don't get upset when you're not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Get out there.
14. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That's a great way of reducing the desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.
15. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are a condition of life. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
16. If you've been offended by others, forgive them. If you've offended someone - apologize. Don't drag resentment around with you. It will make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said, "Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die." Don't take that poison. Forgive and love on with your life.
17. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.
18. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age; never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what's not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.
19. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less of what they may be thinking. They'll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you've achieved. Let them talk and don't worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories, and the life you've lived so far. There's still much to be written, so get busy writing and don't waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be free, at peace and as happy as you can be.

And always remember:

"Respect is earned, honesty is appreciated, trust is gained, and loyalty is returned."

Researchers Find That Wisdom Really Does Come With Age

https://today.tamu.edu/2011/07/12/researchers-find-that-wisdom-really-does-come-with-age/

Fun Facts About Aging

https://seniorsbluebook.com/articles/fun-facts-about-aging

CULTURES WHERE ELDERS ARE REVERED

Influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, countries such as Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam all value to wisdom imparted by elders and treat them with a high degree of respect.

7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-other-cultures-can-teach_n_4834228