What Life Has Taught Me After More Than 70 Years

After walking this earth for over 70 years, life has taught me a few lessons. Some were easy, some were hard to learn. Here are some of my thoughts on that in random order.

Life Rarely Goes According to Plan

I think that this is one we all realize when we get a little older and look back over the years. However, I realized this already in my late twenties.

You can plan as much as you want, and you should do so, but it hardly ever works out the way you planned it. One example is this website. I planned it for a while, but never found the time to get started.

So, that means that you have to stay flexible in your thinking and adjust to the situations that will arise.

Priorities Will Change

When I was younger, I had different priorities than now at my current age. I think we can all agree on that. Different priorities do not mean different interests. Things just happen, and you have to focus on that, and many times you have to shift your priorities throughout your life.

Making Mistakes Is Part of Learning

There is that saying, “no pain, no gain”. I think that is true, but not the whole truth. Some mistakes are painful and come at a price. Other mistakes are full of joy and give you a sense of being thankful.

Money Matters, But Only Up to a Point

Most people quote this wrong: “money is the root of all evil.” The real thing is that “The love of money is the root of all evil”. There is nothing wrong with money by itself. However, if you make it the most important part of your life, you miss the whole purpose and joy of life.

Health Becomes More Valuable as You Get Older

When I was younger, I thought I was indestructible. Slowly, as the years creep up on you, you will eventually come to a different idea. Health is becoming a very valuable part of life, and, in my opinion, many people don’t see that until it is (almost) too late, and health problems show up. Don’t take your health for granted and set a goal to stay healthy through good food and physical exercise.

Family Becomes More Important With Time

Friends come and go in life, but family will always be there. I am not saying to have no friends, but don’t place friends before your family. Helping, or accepting help, for family is a very warm feeling. After all, blood is thicker than water.

It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Mind

I have had times that I got so stuck in my opinions or way of thinking that it blocked me from having an open mind about other options, opinions, or worldviews. Re-thinking and changing your mind is not giving in or losing. It is actually a broadening of your horizon. Keep an open mind and change your mind if needed.

You Can’t Change Other People

Opinions are just like (you know the word); everybody has one. Realize that you will hardly ever be able to change other people. Just accept them as they are, and that they have other opinions than you might have. I also think it is important to surround yourself with like-minded people, especially when it comes to your religious life. Enjoy people arond you, but also don’t let them change the way you are.

Time Is More Valuable Than Things

One thing slips away from us faster than anything else, and that is time. At a younger age, I needed more time to get work done, and at an older age, I still need more time to get things I like to do done. Don’t let life itself live your life. Find time to do the things that are important to you and give you pleasure.

Faith Changed How I Look at Life

Faith has become a very important part of my life, and I can not believe that in certain periods in my life that was not always the case. As you can read in all the parts above, life gets in the way sometimes. But as a Christian, you should never put your faith on the back burner or let it fade away. Faith has changed my life, and I have lost that a few times in life. Now I realize that, and that time with God I can never get back.

Gratitude

One thing that is very high on my focus is gratitude. Every morning I wake up, I thank the Lord for a new day, and throughout the day I try to be thankful for everything I have or experience. There is too much beauty in life not to be thankful.

I am Still Learning

One thing you can’t deny. Life is one great learning process. At least if you look at it that way. I believe that your whole life you should keep learning. Not specifically a trade or a new skill, but also intellectually, mentally, and maybe physically, you have to keep learning.

I found out through my life that I need a challenge. If I don’t have one, I get restless and crabby. I still have a lot of things on my list that I want to learn or want to learn more.

Eddie van Aken