My recent 60^th birthday solidified my “Better self. Better world.” mantra. With an accumulation of deep and unique life experiences, I now feel more of a duty in my silver-haired season to stand up and speak out for the wellness of our world. To lead as if my life depended on it. 

Because perhaps it does. 

With this in mind, I took time recently to contemplate what I had learned throughout my journey, things that might be helpful for others, perhaps 60 profound things. At first, 60 seemed too big. But once I got started on my list, I found it difficult to narrow it down in the end. I felt rather smart then. So here you go, with much gratitude, 60 things I learned in 60 years. Happy Thanksgiving! (3-minute read)

1. A better world begins with a better self.
2. Better means settling into, not settling for or beneath. 
3. There’s no settling about Reese’s peanut butter cups. They are the absolute best.
4. Snakes are the absolute worst. Don’t be a snake.
5. Snaking our way through losing our way can be transformative.
6. Losing is learning. 
7. Learning is a lifelong process that reveals more with every season. 
8. Life is more cyclical than linear, and every time I circle back around, I discover more gems.
9. Going to the gym, strengthens both body and mind. 
10. Minding my own business, by default, will contribute to a better world. 
11. I deeply believe that compassion and understanding make a world of difference. 
12. I like mermaids because they breathe deeply.
13. Contemplative prayer teaches us to breathe, often. 
14. Often, routines and resting provide needed rhythms, as does spontaneity.
15. The Serenity Prayer provides serenity, courage, and wisdom. 
16. Wisdom knows that our world is both broken and beautiful.
17. It takes a world of faith to live by faith.
18. Like conjoined twins, we must live with ourselves forever.
19. To live is to die to one’s ego.
20. When loved ones die, grief needs space to recalibrate a different way.
21. I don’t always understand God’s way, but I am 100 percent sure it is better than my way.   
22. I am also sure that effective communication is one of life’s most important skills. 
23. Toastmasters provides skills to effectively overcome glossophobia, the fear of public speaking.
24. Speaking up and out of conviction, courage, and composure is a voice worth hearing. 
25. Giving up stuff fuels more freedom. 
26. Food is fuel. Take enough. But do not stuff.
27. When enough is enough, it’s time to move on.
28. There’s purpose in both movement and stillness.
29. Still, we must always dare to care and care to dare.
30. Dare I say, “Men and women are not from different planets, and therefore, we must learn to live well with one another here on earth, recognizing that we are all worthy of dignity.” 
31. Everybody is worthy of being seen, heard, and held. Sawubona. 
32. I heard silence, and it spoke louder than all the shouting. 
33. Loud fancy pants are wonderful and needed.
34. We are community that feeds and needs one another. 
35. Authentic and brave people feed my soul.
36. According to Brianna Wiest, “Nit-picking your soul is not growth; it is resistance.” 
37. Do not resist laughter. It is heart-healing. 
38. Go ahead, laugh so hard that you pee your pants.
39. Do not be a smarty pants.
40. Do not allow good to become enemy of best.
41. Nobody can live the good life for me. I must learn to drive well.
42. Expect drivers to drive like idiots, so when they do, they don’t drive you bonkers. 
43. Sometimes we need a good bonk on the head. Figuratively of course.
44. Keep your head up.
45. Get up every day knowing that perspective is powerful.
46. One day at a time, one step at a time.
47. The 12 Steps apply to all humans, both “them” and “us.” 
48. The proverbial glass is both half empty and half full. Embrace “and.” 
49. Too much light and too much darkness are both blinding. 
50. John Mellencamp smokes too much and is now an old grump. But he has rocked me through my lowest lows and my highest highs for over 40 years, and I will forever be grateful. 
51. Be grateful, but do not deny difficulties and hardships. 
52. There’s no denying that plans are good until they aren’t. And then we must pivot. 
53. Emotions are good for they reveal much. Handle with care.
54. I don’t care to make gray go away. Figuratively and literally.
55. Forgiveness does not make reality go away, but it does help lighten the load and heal the pain. 
56. Forgiveness is a process. 
57. Left-brained and right-brained people process differently. Each are equally and beautifully needed. 
58. Grandmothers are the most beautiful people on earth. I love you Grandma.
59. And the greatest of these is love.
60. Be Momentous! Love yourself. ❤️ 🙂 Love our world. ❤️ 🌎

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Check out the WeWomen Wellness Retreat in St. Johns, Florida, February 24-27, 2025.