Since the day I was born I started learning, so in a sense, I’ve always known things. Things like: the sun will come up again tomorrow, I will not melt in the rain, Santa Claus won’t come until you fall asleep. You know, things like that, normal things, everyday things, things most everyone knows.

As I have aged, I have realized that there is some knowledge that can only be gained by living long enough. Some tidbits must be learned after years of trial and error, experience, endurance and simple faith. These gems I pass along now to you, my Sweeties, that you may benefit from my experience and wisdom.

These are the things I know because I have watched and learned as the world turned day after day, as I traveled from place to place and as people have come in and out of my life. I have paid for this education with wrinkles, grey hair, creaking bones, flabby muscles, loss of eyesight, increased weight and decreased sleep. Nothing in life is free and that holds true for life itself. The living of it is not free or even cheap.

My hard won pieces of wisdom:

1–  No one ever died from changing an empty toilet paper roll. I know this is hard to believe, especially for those who have never done it, but trust me, it is true. No harm will come to you and actually, it takes less than minute.

2–  Doing the right thing just makes you feel good. This is an oldie but a goodie. I love adages that can fit on a pillow. Do good, feel good. Try it, I think you’ll find it works.

3–  One step at a time will get you to the finish line. Never give up and keep going. It all gets you closer to your goal. I think I saw this most profoundly when I started doing crossword puzzles. Every letter changed the entire puzzle and often I finished the puzzle before I realized it.

4–  It’s all about the journey. Life is the journey The journey is now. You can’t wait to be happy or content or fulfilled or anything for that matter. I’m not going to put my life on hold until something else happens i.e. lose weight, get the right job, the right house, get married, etc. I’m going to live today.

5–  There are some things you don’t want to be good at. This does not mean you don’t do your job well or you don’t do most things to the best of your ability. It does mean, if you find yourself doing something you really, really, really hate and you do it better than anyone else, you will be expected to do it again . . . . . and again . . . . . and again.

6–  It’s better to want to win than to be afraid to fail. Being afraid to fail forces you to do only the minimum amount needed to not be last, while striving to win forces you to do the maximum needed to be in the lead.

7–  In a restaurant, the food will always come when you get up to go to the restroom. Solution? Go to the restroom as soon as you arrive.

8–  Socks will multiply in the dirty laundry and disappear in the dryer.  There’s nothing you can do about this. It’s just an observation.

9–  There is a black hole in every house into which things will and never be seen again. I believe ours is behind the computer monitor. Sometimes you never do find out where the black hole is, but believe me, it’s there! Some black holes have a kind side and will spit things back out, to be found again. I wish I had one of those!

10–  A smile and a hug are the best cures for what ails you. Oh sure, pills and penicillin will make you well but nothing comforts like a good bear hug. Actually, studies show that laughter releases chemicals that will add to your health. I think of humor and good touch as preventative medicine.

11–  Use the restroom now because there won’t be one available later. This has been proven true on so many road trips in my life. Take my word for it, that’s all I can say!

12–  Keep your fork. This was always said by mother when dessert was coming, but it is also a good philosophy of life. Be ready for the good things coming, because they are coming.

13–  Always be proud of whatever you put your name on This is how you develop self-esteem and earn pride. How can anyone else believe in you, if you don’t believe in yourself? This is your reputation. Don’t take it for granted.

14–  Saying please and thank you is important. Kindness is most often shown through good manners. Never take anyone’s actions on your behalf for granted. They are gifts and should be acknowledged.