Tom’s thoughts about life at 70
20 life lessons I learned in my first 70 years
Happy new decade to me! Hitting this milestone has me reflecting on life and re-evaluating everything. So many stories of where I’ve been and how I got to where I am. But these stories don't mean anything when I’ve got no one to tell them to. Live a good life on your own terms.
Disclaimer: I am not a life coach or social media influencer. I dug deep to put these twenty thoughts into words. They are in my words and not AI-generated gobbledygook. They may uplift and challenge you. They may not resonate with you and even upset you. That’s fine. Live the lessons you learned to the fullest.
Tom’s 20 life lessons
Happiness is the key to life. Happiness topped my life lessons through the years; even the not-so-happy ones. Find happiness. You will have better relationships, a deeper purpose for life, constantly growing, and be healthier.
Numbers don't define you. Challenge the numbers. Age, weight, money, longevity, and mental and physical abilities are all just numbers. True worth lies in experiences, passions pursued, and the difference you make.
Everyone wants to be loved and to love. To be loved you must be the lover. Biases on appearance, social status, politics, religion, and ideology create walls that keep us from being lovers. Give more love than you receive.
Everyone wants to live life their way. Let me make this clear. The only life you have control over and a say in is your life. Many of society's problems do not recognize this. Don’t let your words and actions infringe on others’ lives.
Live a carefree life in your younger years. Life begins carefree and then sh*t happens. Jobs, family, finances, and commitments steal our childhood freedom. Declutter your life by living a little irresponsibly and carefree.
Live a carefree life in your older years. Retirement is the time to revive your carefree, adventurous, and unpredictable childhood. Check off missed opportunities long forgotten on your bucket list. Be a bit of a rebel.
Leave a legacy of kindness and charity. Treat others as you want to be treated. Make a lasting difference with your time, talents, and money. Leave a legacy that inspires others to share the kindness of charity and giving.
Be active. Make it more than a soon-forgotten New Year’s resolution. You will have a healthier mind, body, and weight. Being active lessens stress and anxiety. You connect with others and gain confidence and higher energy.
Diets don’t work. Trendy diets focus on unreasonable and unsustainable restrictions. Adopt a healthy relationship with food focusing on portion control, less processed, and more fresh food. Confront unhealthy habits.
Bad habits are hard to break. Most of us struggle with bad habits. They're often comforting and ingrained in our lives. Acknowledge their hold and envision a life where they no longer have the power we gave them.
Change is hard and takes persistence. Changes define life. Change for the good is looking deep within, acknowledging shortcomings, understanding its roots, and moving forward with little victories leading to positive change.
Advice is welcome when asked for. Be a good friend and person by listening to others. It’s important to respect a person’s autonomy when giving advice. Know the person. Know the situation. Know their history before you speak.
A person’s sexuality is none of your business. A person’s sex and sexuality are theirs alone. You are free to choose your political, religious, and personal beliefs on sex and sexuality. Everyone else deserves those same freedoms.
Freedom of religion is the freedom to practice YOUR religion. You are free to choose and practice your faith free of discrimination. There is no superior faith. If you use faith as a weapon to demean others, you are the problem.
Mistakes make you stronger. Life is better when you make mistakes. A life without challenges does not grow. Take on the unsurmountable. Conquering a challenge now prepares you to overcome future ones yet unknown.
Wake to your passion every day. Passions are not one-size-fits-all but are the keys to a fulfilling life. Feed your passions. They may be a cause, a hobby, or living each day to the fullest. Living with passion inspires those around you.
Don't judge others starting with yourself. True growth comes from self-reflection. Focus on improving yourself to inspire others to do the same by setting a positive example. We can only hope that others do the same.
Celebrate being far from perfect. There are no perfect people, only images of perfect people. Focus on making progress, not achieving perfection. Celebrate small wins and treat yourself with kindness and understanding.
Be opinionated but true. Living with others is listening to their views and beliefs. That does not mean that you cannot express your opinion. Confidently share your own, grounded in truth; not used as ammunition.
Life, good or bad, outweighs the alternative. Death is the alternative. We have made it through all our days, difficult and enjoyable. We overcame the challenges we faced. Live today and your remaining days to the fullest.