Have you ever thought about what we learn from our relationships – the good and the bad of each? All relationships affect us throughout our lives. How we react to others, even when we don’t realize it, will be determined forever by what we tell ourselves and begin to believe as outcomes from each of these personal happenings.
In youth we believe we will live forever and that we are invincible. But, I believe somewhere about 35 we start to take account of where we are in the “ladder of life”, such as - Are we above or below the “normal” rung. That’s the rung of life we are climbing – I mean, that rung of enjoyment, or success and monetary accomplishment. We take assessment of what needs to be done to make us “happier” because …let’s see… we may be at the half-way point and we don’t want to get to where we are going without the “stuff” we need when we get there. Then…
Somewhere around 50 we begin to lower the stress level by assessing what our true priorities at this stage of life are truly about. If we feel behind the eight ball on the rung of the ladder – we may begin to “kick” into high gear and press for some overtime to catch up a rung or two. Either way – major adjustments to your attitude begin to take shape. We have 10 to 15 years to accomplish what we want to do before we are to old to do it (at least we think about that working timetable). That’s the driving force or at least that has been my experience with people in their financial planning and that “pay-off” of the old homestead.
Now as you approach 60 – you begin to realize that achieving “stuff” isn’t as important as having a few good – good – good – friends. Then you being to question yourself as to whether you are happy and what makes you happy? Were you a good friend? A good parent, a good sibling and so forth. Then it hits you – YOU and YOU alone control YOUR happiness. If you are not happy – what can you do about it? No one else can make you unhappy, or happy – YOU decide what is important to you. Do you know?
You see – You can change each and every day and control what you do – what you say – what you think - what you believe. You already know that you have less time than you used to – to make it happen. You realize that your days are fewer and the time you waste is more important now because you have less than before. What you should have said before and didn’t – Maybe “Now” should be said. You begin to wonder if those you love – know that you love them? Now you realize just how important life is – and it’s not about “stuff” – It’s about Love – How you love – who you loved and whom you have shown love to will be your crowning glory – not what you have but what you give – “Your heart”…
That’s my thoughts - 
