Wisdom comes from many sources – but there’s little to beat actual life experience. A group of seniors in Britain were surveyed on their pearls of wisdom and here are some of the ones which cropped up repeatedly.
- The most important person in your life is the person who agreed to share their life with you. Treat them as such.
- Whether you live a long life, or a short one, you’re going to wish you took better care of yourself in your youth.
- Stuff is just stuff. Don’t become fixated on material objects, hold onto time and experiences instead.
- Jealousy destroys relationships. Trust your significant other, or if you can’t, address why that is.
- People always say, ’’Make sure you get a job doing what you love!’’ but that isn’t the best advice. The right job is the job you love some days, can tolerate most days, and still pays the bills. It’s almost impossible to love your job every day.
- If you’re feeling overwhelmed, focus on the immediate moment and savour all that is beautiful and comforting. Take a deep breath, relax.
- Years go by in the blink of an eye. Go places. Do things. If you have the means or not. Pack a bag and go wherever you can afford to go. While you have no dependents, don’t buy stuff. See the world. Look through travel magazines and pick a spot.
- Don’t take life so seriously. Even if things seem dark and hopeless, try to laugh at how ridiculous life is.
- A true friend will come running if you call them at 2am. Everyone else is just an acquaintance.
- Children grow up way too fast. Make the most of the time you have with them.
- Nobody ever dies wishing they had worked more. Work hard, but don’t prioritise work over family, friends, or even yourself.
- Eat and exercise like you’re a diabetic heart patient with a stroke — so you never actually become one.
- Take care of your teeth – dental problems are awful.
- Don’t take anyone else’s advice as gospel. You can ask for advice from someone you respect, then take your situation into consideration and make your own decision.
- The joints you damage today will get their revenge later. Even if you think they’ve recovered completely.
- We have one time on this earth. Don’t wake up and realise that you are 60 years old and haven’t done the things you dreamed about.
- We don’t get to stay on this crazy/wonderful planet forever and the greatest pleasure can be found in the most mundane of activities. Instead of sending a text, pick up the phone and call someone. Call your mother, have a conversation about nothing in particular. Those are the moments to hold onto.
- Pay your bills and stay out of debt. If I could have paid myself all the money I’ve paid out in interest over the years, I’d be retired.
- If you have a dream of being or doing something that seems impossible, try for it anyway. It will only become more impossible as you age and become responsible for other people.
- When you meet someone for the first time, stop and realise that you really know nothing about them. You see race, gender, age, clothes. Forget it all. You know nothing. Those biased assumptions that pop into your head because of the way your brain likes categories, are limiting your life, and other people’s lives.