Here are some suggestions for making the years from 65 to 105 the best years of our lives:
- Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbors as yourself.
- Give 10% of your investment income to a place of worship.
- Be generous to those in need. Joy abounds with unforced giving.
- Pray prayers of gratitude.
- Spend time with optimists who find a rainbow in every cloud.
- Laugh eighteen times a day. Look for the humor in every situation.
- Learn from everyone you meet. Listen more, talk less.
- Live in day-tight compartments. Forget the past. Expect the best.
- Forgive those who have offended you.
- Apologize to those you have hurt.
- Keep your mind active and your spirit content by memorizing a Bible verse every week.
- Never, never speak these words or phrases: old, ancient, decrepit, aged, gray-haired, blue-haired, advanced in years, grizzled, senior, doddering, senile, over the hill, no spring chicken, old-fashioned, tired or worn-out. What we speak becomes a self-full-filling prophesy.
- Add life to your years by eating moderately and exercising regularly.
- Lavish yourself with the money you have earned. Your time is for spending not saving.
- Drink expensive wine.
- Delight your partner with a little something from Neiman’s from time to time. Plan exotic trips.
- Tip generously by remembering what it was like to be poor.
- Look your best everyday. A little nip and tuck may help.
- Have sex one or two times weekly. Viagra and Vitamins help. And a little wine perhaps?
- Dress for success by wearing clothes that show your best features.
- Looking your best with good hair, restorative creams and first-rate dental work gives confidence and builds self-esteem.
- Feel good on the inside by reading your Bible and absorbing positive literature. A shriveled heart paints an ugly face.
- Keep current with news, movies and books. Use all the new gizmos. Be a social network climber.
- Live independently. If you are alone, find a partner.
- Cultivate hobbies. Play cards and other games.
- Stay active. Get out of the house. Attend parties and celebrations. Go for a walk. Visit galleries and museums. Go to ballgames.
- Teach your grandchildren the value of the sweet fundament joys of life. They may not recall your words, but they will remember your comforting hugs, walking hand-in-hand, fishing, oatmeal-raison cookies, sewing, quilting, reading at bedtime and saying nighttime prayers.