
70YO Shares 14 Of The Most Important Things They Learned In Their Life, The Internet Thanks Them
There's no denying that life is an intriguing adventure, to put it simply. Throughout it, we encounter challenges, trials, and experience moments that shape us, helping us grow as individuals—no matter our age.
Today, let's take a look at a wholesome list of life lessons a netizen has learned over their 70 years on Earth and decided to share it online. Maybe, these thoughts from a stranger will inspire you to improve your own life as well. Or at least will be an interesting read, bringing some warmth to your day.
More info: Reddit
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After loving my spouse, my parents, my children & grandchildren, and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
After a pretty rough 43 years (abusive childhood led right into abusive 23-year-long relationship) I'm finally learning to do this. I share my love with my pets, though, of course ;) They still get plenty of it!
I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
When you are a child, the rest of your life seems so long, something that will never end. Then, you start growing up and realize that it’s actually fleeting way faster than you thought. No matter how fast that time goes, the best you can do with it is improve yourself. Sounds kind of preachy, doesn’t it? But isn’t it true that life is all about learning, as there are always areas where it (or you) can get better?
Well, we think this Reddit user, going by u/UnderstandingOld4276 (or LongStrangeTripper) would agree with the sentiment. Why do we think that? It all has to do with the post they shared on February 11th. In it, they shared what kind of things they have learned in their 70 years of life.
I keep my aches and pains to myself unless specifically asked. It’s nice to share but only when invited. We all have our health issues as we get older but that doesn’t mean we want to hear a non-stop litany of everyone else’s physical ailments.
When my grandparents had company, I didn't understand why their conversations were mostly about ailments. Now I do. They rule your life.
I’ve accepted the past, look forward to the future but always strive to live in the present.
This is the most difficult thing in the world to accomplish, I believe
In total, the post included 14 points, all of them no less important than one another. So, we decided to make a list of them, so you can rate it with upvotes, just for the fun of it.
But also, maybe you’ll get inspired and learn something from it – after all, that’s what the original poster likely intended. Whether it's about self-love, being generous or kind – all of these lessons are important, so it’s impossible to decide which is actually the most crucial.
In fact, we might say that there’s no such thing as the most important lesson. Life isn’t a one-dimensional thing that can be based on one value. Here, for instance, some might say that there are at least 50 of them. While it sounds overwhelming, we think that’s very on point – isn’t life kind of overwhelming itself?
I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
My kids are grown, my grandkids are grown and I've learned that they can live their lives without my "help".
I leave my waitress a nice tip (preferably in cash). The extra money might bring a smile to their face. They are toiling much harder for a living than I am.
This applies to the US. Many countries don't have a tipping culture because the wait staff are paid enough by their employer to earn a decent living,unlike in America. America is skewed to favour business owners and the rich - at the expense of low-income and poor people.
Granted, perfecting all these values would be rather impossible, as no real person is perfect – or as F. Nietzsche put it, the Übermensch. This concept describes someone who transcends otherworldly Christian values, embodies the ideal human potential, and serves as a goal for humanity to strive toward.
Yet, while it’s rather unlikely that any of us will achieve the Übermensch status, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to be the best version of ourselves. One of the key messages of the popular TV show The Good Place is that anyone can always be better tomorrow than the day before; all it takes is genuine effort.
I am not embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
But it's embarrassing to wear your heart on your sleeves all the time.Can be annoying.
I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
Be Grateful!! Live a life of gratitude and appreciation. For all its flaws and trials, this is the only life we have, so be grateful for it. Appreciate everything, the good and the bad cuz that's what life is about.
I think I'm allowed a little leeway here! 😄... It's - Oh gosh, the amount of bad/terrible things that have happened to me in the past 5yrs? I think I'm allowed to not want to 'accept them' and would much rather that than... Okay, say all these things were rolled up into one and then were made into a Bugatti Veyron? I'd quite happily push that damn millions of dollars worth of car off a damn cliff!!! Bugger the cost! 👍😄 (P.S? Something big has happened and it's looking like it's going to hopefully be getting better from now on 🙂)
You can do so, for instance, by not turning away from learning certain life lessons, acknowledging how they improve your life and what you need to change for that improvement to happen.
Only by doing so, you will be able to grow your self-awareness, increase resilience and knowledge, and become the best you can be. For starters, you can take lessons named in today’s list, maybe they’ll prove to be useful.
Do you have any other life lessons/advice you didn’t see here today? Share them in the comments!
I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. So I am trying to do what makes me happy. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
This is true. Grumpy here started to sing on the way to work, thought good thoughts, and remembered things my grandkids said or did, it set me up for a good day at work/home. Plus that cup of coffee.
At 75+ my dad is angry that we didn’t tell him that mum was physically abusive. She hit him but it never occurred to him that she might hurt us. I was on the “children at risk” register in my county, but it never occurred to him that you have to provide evidence of abuse to be added. I love my dad, odds are he’s autistic. He doesn’t see anything unless he’s told. So, yeah, we said nothing because he was the only parent who didn’t hurt us. And that was enough.
JB, I went through the same exact childhood. ::hugs:: My mom hit my dad, kicked him, would cut his arms and back with kitchen knives. He never stopped her because he didn't want to hurt her. She did all the same things to me (and worse.) She never touched my sister, because she's my parents' bio child (I'm adopted.) When I was little, I used to beg my dad to divorce my mom and take custody of me. He had an accident when I was 18 and sustained a traumatic brain injury. I stayed home to care for him for 21 years BECAUSE he was the parent who didn't hurt me. I held his hand when he died in 2021. My mom and sister wouldn't even stay in the hospital room. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for your dad to have learned that your mom abused you guys. I hope you can find peace and an accord with him. It wasn't his fault, but he may blame himself. Regrets are the worst thing. Hope you're doing as well as you can be, now <3
Load More Replies...At 75+ my dad is angry that we didn’t tell him that mum was physically abusive. She hit him but it never occurred to him that she might hurt us. I was on the “children at risk” register in my county, but it never occurred to him that you have to provide evidence of abuse to be added. I love my dad, odds are he’s autistic. He doesn’t see anything unless he’s told. So, yeah, we said nothing because he was the only parent who didn’t hurt us. And that was enough.
JB, I went through the same exact childhood. ::hugs:: My mom hit my dad, kicked him, would cut his arms and back with kitchen knives. He never stopped her because he didn't want to hurt her. She did all the same things to me (and worse.) She never touched my sister, because she's my parents' bio child (I'm adopted.) When I was little, I used to beg my dad to divorce my mom and take custody of me. He had an accident when I was 18 and sustained a traumatic brain injury. I stayed home to care for him for 21 years BECAUSE he was the parent who didn't hurt me. I held his hand when he died in 2021. My mom and sister wouldn't even stay in the hospital room. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for your dad to have learned that your mom abused you guys. I hope you can find peace and an accord with him. It wasn't his fault, but he may blame himself. Regrets are the worst thing. Hope you're doing as well as you can be, now <3
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