A Repeat well... Mostly

When I turned 40, I ran a post titled "This Cynics Look at 40". Well, I received quite a bit of feed back on that post. So, now after 2 years, I have decided to rerun that post and update with 2 new items. (One for each of the last 2 years.)

When I turned 25 one of my dearest friends Stacee gave me a list of "25 Things I Like About Clinton Painter". In that same vein I have put together a list of my own. This list is
kind of sage wisdom from the old guy. I am naming my list:

The 40 Things I Have learned in 40 years (plus 2 more)

1. Tuna Fish and Tomato Soup = Comfort Food

2. Sometimes in life we do the things we don't want to do. For instance, I do not like attending funerals or weddings. But I still go, why? Because it is one of the opportunities we have to show that we love someone else more than we love ourselves.

3. Stop complaining about things. If something is broken fix it. No matter what it might be; a sink, dinner, a friend. Complaining about something does not make it better.

4. A Diet Coke, Loud Music and a nice drive is great stress therapy. (Anyone up for a ride on the CT bonding Road? Mumma? Kennedy?)

5. Go to the gym regularly.

6. Go outside and get some sun, but by all means, wear sunscreen.

7. Always be you--let everyone know who you really are.

8. Don't be afraid of what others might think; do what YOU want to do.

9. Let others grow-up. You are not the same person you were at 12, 16, 18, 25, or even last year. Neither are they, give them the chance to show you the real them.

10. Always be a true friend and value your true friends. You know, be the kind of friend you want to have.

11. The Golden Rule still applies. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

12. Gossip and back-biting never solved world hunger and it won't solve your problems either.

13. God is always willing to help you, if you let Him.

14. Learn how to cook.

15. Figure out how to sew on your own buttons, darn your socks or even stitch a rip. It comes in handy on camping trips.

16. Every day find a reason to laugh or at least smile.

17. You are never too old to ask your parents for advice.

18. Don't be afraid to sing with the radio, even if it is just in the shower or alone in your car.19.
Read one "Classic" novel per year.20. Don't over-use trite phrases. "Don't go there", "That's what she said" Don't touch my fat roll". Sometimes they just need to die a horrible painful death.

21. Live without regrets.

22. No list of an employee of the FranklinCovey would be complete without a a reference to the 7 Habits. So #22 is my favorite of the 7 Habits, "Seek First to understand, then to be understood". This does not mean merely biding your time until you can say what you have been wanting to say, but really, really try to understand the other point of view.

23. Don't be afraid to share your opinion, but be tactful I could almost make #24 "Bring Back Tact" but I won't. Suffice it to say, our world has become too overbearing and people don't
understand or even know what tact is anymore.

24. Say "Please" and "Thank You" often.

25. Frequently tell your family and friends you love them.
26. Even if someone is younger than you, you can still learn from them.

27. Keep a notebook & pen in your car and by your bed. You never know when a brilliant idea will strike.

28. Talk to God often.

29. Regularly give to a charity. It doesn't have to be money, most often your time is enough.

30. Don't be afraid to say no, if it is something you really don't want to do.

31. On the flip side, always be willing to try something new.
32. Never Speed in school or work zones. What if that is where your children or family attends school or works. Wouldn't you want other people to be safe around them?

33. When sitting in a traffic jam, let people change lanes in front of you. If someone lets you in line, give them the Courtesy/Thank You wave.

34. Don't judge others. Despite outward appearances, you don't know what turmoil someone has going on inside.

35. Be honest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

36. Follow through on your commitments, if you tell someone you are going to do it, then do it.

37. Enjoy the world around you. Find the beauty where you live.

38. Find the good in people and things, not the bad.

39. Spend 15 minutes planning your day. You will be amazed at the calmness and peace-of-mind this can cause.

40. Always finish what you started.

41. Serve! Serve others and serve often.

42. No matter what lies ahead of you, start each day with all the gusto in your guts!

Hope you have enjoyed the list. And thanks for allowing me to be mostly lazy and just re-posting something from a couple years ago.