50+ Years of Clarity and Insight

Golden nuggets, pearls of wisdom, or crazy ramblings…I’ll let you decide

Inspired by a post on Facebook from Guilty Chocolate Momma — Elizabeth Spencer

They say youth is lost on the young. And wisdom comes with age. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to classify myself as wise, but I do agree that life has a way of teaching us things.

In no particular order, here are my 50 things I know for sure at 50++.

1. A good night’s sleep is one of God’s best gifts and should never be taken for granted.
2. Always sleep with the windows open when you can.
3. Every sunset is unique and worth taking time for. Sunrises are always worth it, too.
4. Never make assumptions…always take time to ask questions and listen.
5. Certainty is a sin.
6. Walking is the best exercise for the mind and body.
7. Cooking and baking are love languages.
8. You might be a perfectionist but you don’t have to live like one. Perfectionism is rooted in the fear of not being good enough — you are good enough.
9. The best advice comes from your body. Listen to it.
10. Life goes by fast — say “yes” more often.
11. Taking care of your feet is important to overall mobility. Go barefoot more often.
12. The best advice I’ve ever received: Don’t be afraid to ask.
13. The way you move through life matters as much, if not more, than what you do with your life.
14. God’s not looking for heroes — he’s looking for the faithful.
15. Women believe one of two lies: they’re not enough or too much. Neither is ever true.
16. Shortcuts rarely yield better results.
17. Ask God to show you something new about his nature and he will!
18. Water is life.
19. Gratitude changes everything — a bad mood, a stuck life, an angry disposition.
20. There’s always something to be grateful for.
21. You’re not a tree. You can move or leave if you don’t like where you are.
22. Don’t buy new if used will do.
23. Peace starts in the mind, is managed in the mind, and is lost in the mind.
24. It’s probably best to try softer instead of trying harder.
25. Jesus was serious when he said, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” Take life one day at a time.
26. Some things never go out of style: Espadrilles, a little black dress, and a good pair of Levi’s.
27. Anything that solves a problem will sell.
28. Salvation = Rest.
29. Pinterest is a dangerous habit. Make sure you’re out there living your dreams, not just pinning them.
30. Chickens have personalities.
31. Journaling is the best therapy for everyone.
32. Want to slow down? Immerse yourself in water. Besides Olympic swimmers, no one is ever in a hurry in a body of water.
33. Being a highly sensitive person is not a deficit or a liability, it’s my Super Power.
34. We need more singing in church and less talking or preaching.
35. Just because something happened doesn’t mean it was meant to be or it was God’s will, but God can use it all for good when we let him.
36. Plans are made to be changed.
37. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we can know who holds tomorrow. Not a cliche, a truth.
38. Trusting myself goes hand in hand with trusting God. It sounds like heresy or an oxymoron but you can’t go through your life fighting your instincts.
39. I always find out I wouldn’t trade lives with the people I envy.
40. You don’t have to wait to retire to enjoy life. You can create a life that you don’t need to take a vacation from.
41. We’re meant to eat food straight from the garden or fruit freshly picked from the trees.
42. Everyone is an artist and we all need encouragement.
43. To find balance and peace, live with one hand open to receive God’s best for you and the other open to let go of what no longer serves you.
44. The only way to focus on what matters to you is to stop doing the things that don’t.
45. Money and time spent on books are never wasted.
46. We don’t have to see God’s hand to trust his heart and intentions.
47. When we meet God face to face, we’re probably going to be surprised at how much kinder he is than we thought.
48. That still, small voice that repeats the same dream — listen to it!
49. Not having to have the last word is a spiritual discipline.
50. Hurry is what rips 1 Corinthians 13 out of the Bible.

As you can see, I’ve written further about a few of these truths. I hope you click on a few and leave your thoughts.

Perhaps I’ve inspired you to make your own list. Tag me when you do!

And lastly, the most important thing I’ve learned is that when we clear out the clutter, we have space and time for what we truly love. Join me on the journey to a simpler life that leaves room for authenticity.

Meet on Facebook. More on the simple life.

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