68 Lessons

Proverbs 16:31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness

I stoled this idea from my mindfulness coach, retired NavySEAL commander Jon  Macaskill.

68 life lessons (no, it’s not my birthday)…

I am going to be 68 next month.   Here’s a lesson I’ve learned for each year as I stumbled through life.   And yes, I have silver hair on my back!

1. Respect everyone.  God sent His Son to die for them.
2.   You are not always right.
3.   Think before you speak.(is it really True? Helpful? Intelligent? Necessary? Kind?)
4.    Take your time, think through things and pray.
5.     Be quiet.
6.     Everyone is expendable
7.     Everyone is loveable.
8.     Short cuts draw blood.
9.      Obey the Bible.
10.    The loudest boo’s come from the cheapest seats.   In the same line, the cheapest seats give the worst advice.   Just because someone gives you advice doesn’t mean that they have a clue what they’re talking about.
11.     Choose to Believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost!  To want to believe is a gift from heaven.
12.     Be merciless with your own sin, be gracious to others.
13.     Be a grace dispenser not a sin exterminator.
14.     Respond, don’t react.
15.     A soft answer turns away wrath (EVERY TIME).
16.     You don’t have to show up to every argument or fight you’re invited to!.
17.     Don’t go where you are uninvited.
18.     Don’t push yourself on people.  Stick to those who love you and appreciate you.
19.      Show up early. Stay present. Leave better.
20.     Everything you say can and will be used against you, especially gossip .
21.     Your attitude introduces you before your words do.
22. You don’t need to win every argument, most don’t matter anyways.
23.  People who claim they don’t answer to anyone eventually lose all their freedom (usually in a jail cell or death bed
24.  If you’re the smartest person in the room, it’s time to find another room.
25. The body keeps score of sleep, movement, (move or die), mental input, exposure, thoughts, and food/drink.
26. Leadership and technical troubleshooting are natural talents, some people just don’t have it.
27. Anger is usually something else in disguise.
28. Listening is more powerful than talking.
29. You can make boundaries and still be kind.
30. Titles aren’t impressive—character is.
31. Laughter belongs in every room.
32. Busyness is not a badge of honor, more a sign of weakness.
33. Put your phone down. Make eye contact.
34. You don’t outgrow fear… you outgrow the need to avoid it.
35. “I don’t know” is a perfectly good answer.
36. Small habits shape big outcomes.
37. Your words become someone else’s reality—especially your kids’.
38.    Not every season is for growth. Some are for recovery.
39.  Grief is the price of deep love.
40.   Being right is overrated. Being real is not.
41.  Be the one who reaches out.
42. Don’t chase peace. Build it.
43.   Confidence is quiet. Insecurity needs a megaphone.
44. People remember how you made them feel, not what you said.
45. No one else knows what they’re doing either.
46. It’s okay to start over.
47. Time with people you love is never wasted.
48. Choose curiosity over judgment.
49. Being vulnerable is being brave.
50. Don’t underestimate the power of going for a walk or taking a nap.
51. Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about connection.
52. Ask better questions.
53. Perfection is a moving target and you’ll never hit it.  
54. Rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement.
55. Let people help you.
56. Ego makes everything heavier.
57. Don’t let someone live rent-free in your head.
58. Eye contact and a firm handshake still matter.
59. There’s strength in loving, gratitude and being kind.
60. Don’t confuse comfort with joy.
61. Everything communicates—even your silence.
62. Give people grace. You need it, too.
63. If it costs your peace, it’s too expensive.
64. The kind day you are going to have is decided by you the moment you wake up.
65. Your presence in the moment is critical.   You have 1/5 of a second to capture any thought.
66. It’s all temporary. That’s what makes it beautiful.
67.   When you stop learning you begin to rot.

I’m Still learning. Still messing up. Still incredibly grateful to my beautiful wife Winnie and to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

—

Isaiah 46:4 and I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety.

PRAYER REQUESTS!  

1rst.  For the government to grant us a new ‘non profit’ hassle free.  

2nd We will be without wheels during the process, so we have to buy one privately.    $5000 is the minimum a decent used car costs down here!!  This is not a plea for money.   Only prayer.  I am at peace that God already has a solution.   Btw your prayers worked!!  I feel so much better now.