Thursday, March 22, 2012

Fifty-Seven Truths I've Learned in my Fifty-Seven Years

I was born fifty-seven years ago on the 81st day of the year 1955. My mother was a stay-at-home mom, and I was her 4th and last baby. My dad was a meat cutter for the A&P grocery store. He made $47 a week, and on that salary he supported a family of six, paid a mortgage, and maintained two cars.

One wouldn’t think that turning 57 would be cause for reflection, after all, it’s those other birthdays: 18, 21, 30, 40, and 50 that get all the attention, but this birthday has invited me to pause and consider some of the truths I’ve learned in my nearly six decades.

And lucky you, I’m going to share. (Since a list of 57 might be a bit too long, I’m breaking it up into four posts.)

Fifty-Seven Truths I’ve learned in my Fifty-Seven Years

1. God is real! Make every effort to get to know Him.

2. A little appreciation goes a long way.

3. It’s not always about you.

4. No one needs to be kind to you, so appreciate kindnesses shown.

5. It’s always windiest on garbage day. Don’t gripe about it.

6. Be thankful to God for your blessings. When you count them up it will make you happy.

7. If someone gossips to you about others, chances are they’re gossiping about you too.

8. If you’re not sure something in the fridge is good or spoiled, throw it away. It’s better to lose the few dollars the item costs than to get food poisoning.

9. Choose friends you can admire. Bad company corrupts good character, but good company elevates you.

10. There’s always something to be thankful for.

11. You won’t be successful at everything you undertake. That’s okay. Move on.

12. Life is hard, but God is good!

13. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

14. If someone’s determined to be mad, there’s nothing you can do about it.

15. Rain must fall for flowers to bloom. Every day can’t be filled with sunshine.

9 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

Happy birthday, Megan!

I love the positive thread apparent in many of the lessons you've learned.

Kay Day said...

I love these, Megan! Wonderful for you to share your wisdom!

Megan DiMaria said...

Thanks, gals. Since I'm soooo old I'll be posting the rest of the loop in three more posts. :)

Beth K. Vogt said...

What a brilliant way to celebrate your birthday!
I love #11.

Megan DiMaria said...

Thanks, Beth! Some of these truths were hard-learned.

Cindy Wrightson said...

Really love this Megan! What a thought-provoking exercise. It definitely gets me thinking about what I would write for my birthday (in two months) and about my mom. She transitioned 6 months ago this week after a brief but brutal battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 63. I wonder what her 63 life lessons would be. I wish I knew.

I really love what you've shared and look forward to the continuing list. Your post reminds me of another blog I recently read about a woman's acts of kindness on her birthday. Here's a link to her post, I think you'll like it:

http://mixmingleglow.com/blog/?p=1358

Megan DiMaria said...

Thank you for your kind words, Cindy. I'm sorry for your loss. Yes, 63 is much to young to go. Life is hard sometimes.

Thanks for sharing that blog, it was interesting. I look forward to seeing your birthday "truths."

Deborah Raney said...

Happy birthday, Megan. Since I also turn 57 this year, I'm excited about your 57 truths! Great stuff! You can bet I'll be eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Megan DiMaria said...

Thanks, Deb! And early happy Bday to you too!