happy birthday curly headed one

Happy 27Th Bill. Since we already did the reminiscing entry last year and I don't want to overdo it, I decided to give you some advice based on what I have learned over the years. You may be way ahead of me on all of these but nonetheless, here they are in no particular order.

1. Be true to yourself or as someone else said "To thine own self, be true". Life isn't a popularity contest - make your own self happy and do what makes you happy. Trends come and go and if you buy stainless steel appliances, next year they will be outdated. If what you have works, keep it. But be generous to others and good causes. Oh and never, ever do anything just for money. It is funny that we do all know what we should do, but we don't often have the courage to do it.

2. You can't make everyone happy all the time and don't waste time trying. On the other hand, you can never give enough thank yous - even to people you don't know. You never know when you will make someones day by just saying something nice.

3. It ain't always about you. If someone is upset, or mad or yells at you, let it go. You never know the baggage that people bring to relationships and interactions and most of the time they are acting the way they are because of things you don't know about. If you really are bugging them and they can't or won't tell you why, then you can't fix it.

4. Be nice to old people. Inside they are young. They have good stories to tell also. Just so you know, I don't consider myself old yet so this isn't a request to be nice to me! I will tell you when you aren't being nice anyway. Call your grandmother sometimes - it makes her day. Send a text to aunt Barbara. Continue to be a person that other people want to hang out with.

5. Keep on running or doing something that is good for you. Exercise is better than anything to make you feel better about yourself and your life. You only get one body and it can break down even if you take care of it. Make a spot in your life to do this no matter how busy you are.

6. Stay close to your siblings and realize that they share a lot of your history and they know you better than anyone. Besides, someday you will have to depend on them for comfort. No matter where you live, keep in touch with them. Accept their perspectives even if they differ from yours.

7. Live in the moment. What is, is as Grandpa Owl would say. Don't look too far back or too far ahead. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Notice the mountains every day - changing seasons that bring the falling leaves and the first snow. Think of things that you are grateful for and just this act makes you happy.

8. Always make time to have fun. Find something to laugh at every day. Don't sweat over working long hours - it isn't worth it. No one notices and it just wears you out. Do outrageous things but don't hurt yourself or offend others.

9. Remember that no one will ever love you as much as your mother, no matter what you do.

10. Pay your credit card bills in full each month.

I could go on, but ten seems to be enough. I am not saying that I follow all of these - but I try - sometimes more successfully than other times. Happy Birthday and may there be many more.