I did a cliché. I turned an age and made a list.
This isn’t a list of wisdom, advice or lessons learned. It’s a collection of thoughts and realizations I’ve had over the last year. A mostly unedited list from my phone that I’ve added to randomly throughout the past 12 months. Thoughts that could only have come to me from the experiences I’ve had over the span of my life thus far.
Here are 40 random things I’ve learned over the last 40(!) years.
Time is currency. Spend it wisely.
Constant learning is incredibly fun and deeply rewarding.
Be kind to strangers. A smile, a hello — it costs you nothing but can change the world for someone else.
Everyone struggles with depression on one level or another. Often it’s those who appear the happiest that are suffering. Show compassion to everyone you encounter.
A fresh start is always possible. When you fall, get up.
“Too old” is not an excuse. You’re either stubborn, lazy, or scared.
People tend to talk with more confidence about a subject when they lack knowledge or understanding.
Human imperfections are a myth. There is no such thing as perfect.
If you’re the kind of person that thinks they don’t care what people think, and you make sure people know it — then you care what people think.
Failure is one of the best teachers you’ll ever have.
Everything is temporary. Regardless of your beliefs.
Anything can happen at any time. Assuming otherwise has caused some of the worst disasters in history.
Life involves detours. Getting back on track is always an option.
Cold showers suck, but they’re one of the best ways to start the day.
Travel is the greatest education you can receive.
Eating street food alongside locals is the best way to experience a foreign culture.
Learn to cook and eat the food of another culture at least once a month.
You can achieve significant results through a series of minuscule habit changes.
Ridding myself of nearly all possessions several years ago allowed me to start fresh with an appreciation of what I truly need rather than merely a collection of “stuff.” I recommend everyone try this to some degree.
Perspective changes everything.
Progress, without patience for those slower to accept change, is not progress.
Holding onto old ideas without a willingness to change stagnates society.
Learning to accept and love yourself unconditionally is incredibly hard. But possible.
Listening to someone with your full attention is difficult. It’s why it matters.
When someone has an opposing viewpoint, stop and consider their reasons. A few seconds in their shoes can prevent painful arguments.
Happiness can come from the simplest objects. I’ve seen kids have moments of bliss with little more than a stick and a rock.
There’s no such thing as winning an argument. Both parties lose something.
Resentment is toxic. It pains the holder while doing nothing to whom it’s directed. Let it go.
Blame fixes nothing.
Revenge doesn’t remove or even transfer pain, it only amplifies it.
Life changes in an instant, spend time with those you love and care about. Tell them you love them.
While success often requires hard work, not all hard work guarantees monetary wealth.
Don’t confuse failure with finality.
Doing nothing is still doing. Embrace the act of sitting quietly and still now and then.
Technology is advancing faster than anyone can grasp. Learn to embrace change.
Clean your home the day before people visit so it doesn’t look or smell like you just cleaned.
Write things down. That clever idea from last night that you told yourself you’d remember in the morning? It’s gone.
Eating good food with great friends is a religious experience and should be treated as such.
It’s never too late to start something new.
40 doesn’t feel like I thought it would. I’m just getting started.