life with more cowbell

Back when I turned 50, I wrote a ‘50 things I’ve learned’ list and posted it here. Since I recently turned 60, I thought I’d do another list (most of these are recycled from the 50 Things list, with some revisions). So, in no particular order, here we go:

1. It’s better to give. – a good reminder from a tweet by Zoie Palmer
2. People who talk to you about others will also talk to others about you. – can’t recall the origin of this one
3. Whenever you have the chance, go for a pee and drink water. – my friend Brenda Sharpe reminded me of this
4. Those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind. – originally thought this was Dr. Seuss, but it’s actually Bernard Baruch
5. Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss that which insults your soul. – Walt Whitman
6. When changing a baby boy’s diaper, get the front flap of the fresh diaper in place ASAP.
7. You can learn a lot about someone – and yourself – by how they/you untangle a mess of Christmas tree lights. – I think Oprah may have said this
8. Prior planning prevents piss-poor performance. – British army wisdom (shared by Stephanie Bitten)
9. If you don’t act crazy, you’ll go crazy. – Dr. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (played by Alan Alda) from the TV show M*A*S*H
10. Silence speaks volumes.
11. Don’t forget to breathe.
12. In any conversation, listening is extremely important – even more so than speaking.
13. It’s not a good idea to proofread your own writing.
14. Always take note of the source of any praise, criticism or information that comes your way; not all sources are reliable, truthful or without agenda.
15. People are the strangest animals I’ve ever seen.
16. Trying to organize a group of lively, smart, creative people is like herding cats.
17. You are what you say you are.
18. However, you are not your job.
19. If someone’s bullying or mistreating you, chances are they were/are bullied/mistreated themselves.
20. Art is vital to a good quality of life.
21. Smiling makes you feel better.
22. Laughing makes you feel even better than smiling.
23. When shaving your legs, it’s best to not go above the knee.
24. People, even those you love, will disappoint you. They will also surprise you, in a good way.
25. Better to try and fail than regret not trying.
26. ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. – Alfred Lord Tennyson
27. Be as good a friend to yourself as your good friends are to you.
28. Lovers may come and go, but good friends – especially your chosen family – are for keeps.
29. Don’t be afraid to tell your loved ones that you’re afraid.
30. Besides death and taxes, the only thing you can count on is that things will change.
31. This too shall pass. This goes for the good as well as the bad.
32. Sometimes, something that initially appears to be a negative can turn out to be a positive.
33. The body is sexy, but the brain is sexier.
34. Having a pet to come home to is a truly wonderful thing, especially if you live alone.
35. Dark chocolate really does have healing powers.
36. So does red wine.
37. You can never get too many hugs. Same goes for giving hugs.
38. Having a positive attitude in the day-to-day goes a long way toward staying positive when times get rough. (I learned this to be especially true – and how it’s connected to my daily gratitude practice – during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
39. You and your doctor/health care team are partners in the maintenance of your health and well-being.
40. Finding joy in simple, everyday moments is a really good thing.
41. When experiencing a conflict with someone, it can be helpful to examine what you have in common.
42. Be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best – but don’t dwell on it too much.
43. Don’t pass up the chance to say “I love you.” (Especially if you or someone you care about is not long for this world.)
44. Being alone is not the same as being lonely.
45. When it comes to romance, it’s better to be alone than in a bad relationship.
46. Make sure to have music in your life.
47. Be kind to the world and all its creatures, including you.
48. Every day, be the best version of yourself that you can be.
49. Be kind to your knees. Be even kinder to your feet.
50. Cool new developments in your life can emerge when you least expect it – no matter how old you are.
51. We need to have healthy conversations about aging and death – and include these in education curricula (we teach kids about puberty, sex and birth, but not about what happens to us as we age). These are natural parts of the life cycle, and they’d be less scary if we had some awareness and a safe space for frank conversations.
52. If it’s not a “Hell, yeah!,” it’s probably a “No.”
53. Sometimes, you have to do it anyway.
54. Playing Scrabble can offer some useful life lessons.
55. Stay hydrated, especially in hot weather and when you’re exerting yourself.
56. If you’re in a bad mood, stressed out, hangry or otherwise not your usual self, it’s best to hold off on making any major decisions.
57. You’re stronger than you think you are.
58. You’re never too old to try something new – or return to a previously loved pursuit.
59. Putting a container of ice in front of a fan is actually a pretty good substitute for air conditioning. (Of course, given the choice and access, responsible use of an air conditioner is better.)
60. Accepting the circumstances of a bad situation (i.e., radical acceptance) doesn’t mean you’re happy or okay with it. This approach can help you navigate the situation in a much healthier and effective way – and save the heartache, anguish and mind fuckery that denial brings.