Advice

Old Farts are allowed to advise. Why? Because by the age of 60, we old farts are comfortable with the person residing in our skin -- perhaps not enamored with all aspects of the inhabitant, but at least resigned. We know our innermost secrets and desires, understand and accept our complexities and paradoxes, and by virtue of weathering the successful passage of years, merit the concession of volunteering counsel.

Three things become apparent. 1) It is unnecessary for everyone to make every mistake themselves. 2) It is acceptable, even advisable, to learn from the mistakes of others. 3) Age confers an obligation to share one’s treasure trove of lifetime experiences to grease the life path of following generations. Hence the following counsel.

Ignoring it is your prerogative, but beware: If sage words are ignored, they will inevitably be recalled years later when the ignorer will undoubtedly remark, “Boy, was that old so-and-so right!” Wisdom can enter via words, not just blunders.

So listen up – here goes, in no particular order:

• If aging bothers you, if numbers like 25, or 30, or 40, or 50 cause angst, just wait another 4 or 5 years, and that once frightening number will suddenly look very good.

• Eventually you’ll realize you have far more days behind you than before you, but don’t fear your impending demise. Treasure your memories. Gauge your desires and goals and appropriately adjust your mental processes. If you wish, alter whatever requires alteration. Reform is always an option, but never a requirement.

• Practice moderation in all things -- including, on occasion, moderation.

• Proudly be who you are. Celebrate your excellence rather than fret over your flaws.

• Embrace every hard-earned facial line and wrinkle, for each testifies to having lived a rich emotional existence.

• Say and do as you wish with one exception – do not complain about aging for it confers stature and wisdom.

• Socrates stated, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Timeouts used to contemplate, consider, decide, relax, recharge, decompress, or reconsider do not count against your life’s total timeouts.

• Fish for experiences, not compliments. You’ll be amazed at what you reel in.

• Challenge your brain before it atrophies. Stimulation staunches stagnation.

• Living your dreams trumps dreaming.

• Scale the internal guard rail that has restrained you. Jump off the viaduct, whether the leap be small or gigantic. Embrace new adventures.

• Jettison all regrets. It’s too late for them to affect your life’s trajectory, so ignore them. Rather, concentrate on all that absorbs your interests, for time is too short to waste on unfulfilling activities.

• Impressing others should not dictate lifestyle.

• Character resides in your heart. Your heart can define you – or defile you.

• Integrity is when what you say and feel and think and do all coincide exactly.

• Laugh often and heartily. Never fear laughing at yourself. Smile. Be happy.

• If God is your co-pilot, you need to switch seats. Remember, eternity is forever and has two sections – smoking and non-smoking, but God answers knee-mail.

• Confession without repentance is just bragging.

• Your imagination has a job to do. Allow it.

• Money is a tool to provide comfort and joy for yourself and to help others. Never let the tool become the goal.

• The best gift to children is your time.

• Never consider not having won as losing. They are not equivalent.

• Implore God for that indispensable commodity “patience” (and tell Him you want it now!)

• Replace “can’t” with “why not?”

• Pursue lifelong learning by engaging in all activities that interest and inspire you. Develop new skills. Nurture yourself and your loved ones. Embrace challenges – physical and mental.

• Travel widely. It counts toward lifelong learning.

• Technology improves productivity and provides entertainment. It can also ensnare and disrupt. Do not allow the equipment to become the master.

• A closed mind is a locked door. Keep your mind’s door open to new ideas, people, feelings, and experiences.

• Don’t fear the future. It only arrives one day at a time!

• You won’t live forever, but you can die trying.

by Chuck