Today I'm 50 and this is what I've learned so far.

Please don't make this a B-Day thread as it's not my intention. Rather just a reflection of a life that has existed for 50 yrs and a few things I need to get out there...

Please share some of yours for me and others.

What I've learned in 50 years on this planet:

1. Don't try to make everyone fit your perception of the norm. It won't work and would also be really boring.

2. Forget when possible and when not possible, forgive.

3. When presented with food, eat your fill, thank the host and return the kindness. Always remember that your next meal is only a wish and never a guarantee.

4. If someone smiles at you...return it. It's not always a sign of weirdness.

5. Life is hard, challenging, beautiful and strange...get used to it. Embrace it.

6. People aren't perfect...including you.

7. Your best friend will always make you sad, happy...will steal your socks, lick your toes, crap on your lawn and love you until the end. They usually have fur and a tail and can be hailed by "Hey Fido!"

8. Don't try to be like everyone else...because you are not. And besides, they are trying to be like you.

9. If you have only a dollar in your pocket but have more at home, give that dollar to someone that doesn't have a dollar...or a home.

10. Be kind to the elderly, mentally disabled, children, the less fortunate and animals. They share your same dreams of peace, a warm home, full belly, love and in the last case, a good slipper to chew on.

11. We are the only species that can make a difference in not only our lives but of those around us if we choose to do so. So...what are we waiting for?

12. If you find REAL love...return it, embrace and treasure it...because REAL is a rare thing these days.

And last but not least...If you get to 50...Just think about one thing...this may only be the half way mark so you still have time to make your own list....

There are a lot more but I'm 50 today and don't have as much time as I thought...

Peace to all my friends on ATS ( a few Mods as well) JK of course.

ETA:

I forgot to add: Never, ever, under any circumstances...share your last French Fry.

Jude11

reply to post by jude11


You forgot # 13:

If you add Facelift as a rival, he may cry about it until you take him off the list.


Awesome thread Jude...appreciate your input around here. Here's to another 50...

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by jude11

 

You forgot # 13:

If you add Facelift as a rival, he may cry about it until you take him off the list.


Awesome thread Jude...appreciate your input around here. Here's to another 50...

Another 50????????

Are you Frickin' kidding me? I'm talking about everyone else. Not me..uh-uh...no way in hell!!!!



Peace

reply to post by jude11


Great thread!

One I would add is "You can be married or you can be right".

I've been married 22 years.

Originally posted by Metallicus
reply to post by jude11

 

Great thread!

One I would add is "You can be married or you can be right".

I've been married 22 years.

I've been married twice and right only once.

Peace

Originally posted by jude11

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by jude11

 

You forgot # 13:

If you add Facelift as a rival, he may cry about it until you take him off the list.


Awesome thread Jude...appreciate your input around here. Here's to another 50...

Another 50????????

Are you Frickin' kidding me? I'm talking about everyone else. Not me..uh-uh...no way in hell!!!!

Peace

edit on 20-7-2013 by jude11 because: (no reason given)

We live in a time where I believe we're advancing more in 10 years than we did throughout all of our history combined. I think a wasted birthday wish on another 50 is worth it. Who knows, some new knees, a new back, and new organs grown using little bits of your old ones might only cost a couple hundred bucks in 20 years. It could be a new start with a lifetime of lessons.

I thank you for these little life-notes. You can say my life hasn't even started, taking your advice might just make it all that much happier. Here's to hoping I make it to tomorrow, not even trying to think of hitting 50.

Originally posted by FidelityMusic

Originally posted by jude11

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by jude11

 

You forgot # 13:

If you add Facelift as a rival, he may cry about it until you take him off the list.


Awesome thread Jude...appreciate your input around here. Here's to another 50...

Another 50????????

Are you Frickin' kidding me? I'm talking about everyone else. Not me..uh-uh...no way in hell!!!!

Peace

edit on 20-7-2013 by jude11 because: (no reason given)

We live in a time where I believe we're advancing more in 10 years than we did throughout all of our history combined. I think a wasted birthday wish on another 50 is worth it. Who knows, some new knees, a new back, and new organs grown using little bits of your old ones might only cost a couple hundred bucks in 20 years. It could be a new start with a lifetime of lessons.

I thank you for these little life-notes. You can say my life hasn't even started, taking your advice might just make it all that much happier. Here's to hoping I make it to tomorrow, not even trying to think of hitting 50.

The last 10 years have been a complete Mind #$@%...No doubt.

That's why I'm desperately trying to remember how I got to be here in the first place.

I hope many do the same. Remember where you came from and don't worry about where you are going...you may never get there.

Peace

With the exception of #6, very wise advice

And I will risk sounding like Susie goody two shoes, when I add - in the words of Jewel - "in the end, only kindness matters". Just wish people would at least consider the option. You never know where someone else is coming from, so why not cut them a break?

I've learned a couple things....

The more you listen the more you learn.

You shouldn't take life too seriously.

More importantly if you are ever at band camp with Jude and he tells you to look the other way or close your eyes you should heed the warning.

Happy birthday.

Originally posted by playernumber13
I've learned a couple things....

The more you listen the more you learn.

You shouldn't take life too seriously.

More importantly if you are ever at band camp with Jude and he tells you to look the other way or close your eyes you should heed the warning.

Happy birthday.

I purposely left out band camp because I didn't learn anything...

I was the teacher!

Now please close your eyes, turn your head and....

Peace

Excellent list, thank you!

While i've only been around for 32 i would offer up a few adjustments:

4. If someone smiles at you...return it. It's not always a sign of weirdness.

i would change to be the one to smile first, you never know when it may make a huge difference in someone's day.

6. People aren't perfect...including you.

People are perfect... including you.

9. If you have only a dollar in your pocket but have more at home, give that dollar to someone that doesn't have a dollar...or a home.

Love this One!

10. Be kind to the elderly, mentally disabled, children, the less fortunate and animals. They share your same dreams of peace, a warm home, full belly, love and in the last case, a good slipper to chew on.

Be kind to everyone because the same holds true for All of us and we are All in this together!

12. If you find REAL love...return it, embrace and treasure it...because REAL is a rare thing these days...


..I forgot to add: Never, ever, under any circumstances...share your last French Fry.

I will only share my last fry with my REAL love!


Cheers and though you don't want it: Happy Birthday my friend!

Originally posted by soulshn
Excellent list, thank you!

While i've only been around for 32 i would offer up a few adjustments:

4. If someone smiles at you...return it. It's not always a sign of weirdness.

i would change to be the one to smile first, you never know when it may make a huge difference in someone's day.

6. People aren't perfect...including you.

People are perfect... including you.

9. If you have only a dollar in your pocket but have more at home, give that dollar to someone that doesn't have a dollar...or a home.

Love this One!

10. Be kind to the elderly, mentally disabled, children, the less fortunate and animals. They share your same dreams of peace, a warm home, full belly, love and in the last case, a good slipper to chew on.

Be kind to everyone because the same holds true for All of us and we are All in this together!

12. If you find REAL love...return it, embrace and treasure it...because REAL is a rare thing these days...


..I forgot to add: Never, ever, under any circumstances...share your last French Fry.

I will only share my last fry with my REAL love!


Cheers and though you don't want it: Happy Birthday my friend!

edit on 7/21/13 by soulshn because: =)

Great additions.

Thank you so much!

Peace

reply to post by jude11


Congratulations Jude on surviving 50 years on this crazy rock we call home.

good advice all around

9. If you have only a dollar in your pocket but have more at home, give that dollar to someone that doesn't have a dollar...or a home.

Hits kinda close to home as I've been struggling with this lately, recently moved to a town where Pan handling seem to be the first recourse people take before getting a real job. I have never seen more homeless people with clean clothes and well fed, the teen homeless pop in Portland is nuts. Seems like every time I go out im hit up by 18-24 able bodied well fed people.

Been taking a default no, which is something I never used to do, I really needed a reminder though not to get so callous.

Thanks man and wish you many more happy years.

happy half century you are now a coffin dodger age is just a number bud .

go party like mad and have a few drams on me

Originally posted by benrl
reply to post by jude11

 

Congratulations Jude on surviving 50 years on this crazy rock we call home.

good advice all around

9. If you have only a dollar in your pocket but have more at home, give that dollar to someone that doesn't have a dollar...or a home.

Hits kinda close to home as I've been struggling with this lately, recently moved to a town where Pan handling seem to be the first recourse people take before getting a real job. I have never seen more homeless people with clean clothes and well fed, the teen homeless pop in Portland is nuts. Seems like every time I go out im hit up by 18-24 able bodied well fed people.

Been taking a default no, which is something I never used to do, I really needed a reminder though not to get so callous.

Thanks man and wish you many more happy years.

I've been fooled many times with this scenario.

I have given food, a cigarette and a dollar...only to have it returned many times by the same person.

Longer thread than this but suffice it to say that I have learned not to judge by the cover.



Peace

Originally posted by geobro
happy half century you are now a

age is just a number bud .

go party like mad and have a few drams on me

edit on 21/7/13 by geobro because: (no reason given)

"coffin dodger"

Ok, Now I feel much, much better!

Peace

those are good points. But by 50 you'd better know God. This life is short, the next is not.

Originally posted by spartacus699
those are good points. But by 50 you'd better know God. This life is short, the next is not.

If god has not come down and met me within the next 9 years, then why would I bother to go out of my way to know him?

He's the most selfish creator I've ever heard of. All the more afterlife for you I guess Sitting in that plastic chair, surrounded by priests. waiting for god.

Jude, you say the last 10 years have been a mind-sexehtime.. if only turning 40 had not left me wondering what just happened, I'd never understand what you meant by that !!

Oo

Originally posted by spartacus699
those are good points. But by 50 you'd better know God. This life is short, the next is not.

Yeah, I can see the problem people have with theist...

reply to post by jude11


What a great way to start my day

If I may add

Be special.......................Be yourself

Happy half century Jude and congratulations on making this far

A drink for you my furry friend


Cody