Life advice from my elders?

Question

I'd love to get advice from older generations having to do with ANYTHING in life. I'm a big believer that wisdom comes with age... although no one ever gets to the point of being wise about everything.
A little about me... I'm 21... working on a 4 year business degree, got a good family and a nice boyfriend... some (but not many friends)... a job put little money so far... I do my best to keep fit, although I probably don't eat as well as i should

Answer 1

I am getting pretty long in the tooth, so I will give it a shot. Pick your battles well, you will learn far more from your mistakes than from your successes. Be kind to others, you may need there help one day. Take care of your teeth, they may have to last you a very long time. Always do a little more than your share of the work. Who ever dies with the most toys does not win, you can't take it with you, & it never was a competition anyway. No one has to lose for you to win. Drink water not colas, it will keep your kidneys healthy & they too may have to last a long time. Ask important questions & question eveything that seems important. What you may think is important now may change as you change. Be flexible, life is not black or white but rather one very large gray area. Laugh often, it's very healing. Cry freely, it's cleansing. Always eat just a little less than your share of the food. Listen to your grandfathers stories, it is your history. Learn to be honest with others & yourself, that last one is the hardest. Sing in the shower. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, you really are ok you just don't know it yet. Stop worrying about how you look. Trust me, one day you will not care nearly as much & others already don't. Get comfortable with silence, it will teach you much. Remain teachable, we all have something to learn. Learn humility, it will keep you strong in times of trouble. Learn to ask for help, we all need it from time to time. Pray daily, even if you don't know what you pray to, at least you will be out of yourself for those few moments. Learn to listen, it will make you wise. Exercise often, it will keep you healthy & that body may need to last longer than you anticipated. Realize now that you know nothing, it will save you much time & grief. Remember that falling in lust is not falling in love & your marriage may last a lot longer. Love openingly, freely, & without expectation. True love is not dependent on their acceptance or reaction. When your heart gets hurt, & it happens to all, remember the real part of you can never really be damaged. Would you rather forgive or live your life in bandages carrying a sign that says "They damaged me". & as the famous poem says, wear sunscreen. Do you really want to look 50 at 25?

Answer 2

1) Take pride in your work, no matter what your job is. Even if all you do is push a broom, do a good job.

2) Have a measure of sympathy and benevolence for others. Never imagine that you're so far removed from living in a homeless shelter or a cardboard box. Your life can change on a dime.

3) Don't get all caught up with empty speech, propaganda and symbolism. Symbols are for the symbol-minded.

4) Read some classic literature; prose or poetry.

5) Take at least a year to really get to know the person you think you want to marry. Discuss ALL your significant issues.

Answer 3

Don't be an open book.
This ideal is attractive and would work if "being completely open" about one's life "never" effected other lives.
As increasingly intimate details of your life are known by fewer and fewer people--all the way down to the stuff that only you know about--this is also the natural way to organize your caution regarding sharing. If you have a life experience that you hold close, something you know few (or zero) people know about, be extra cautious as to not only who you tell, but how (the context within which) you tell it.
Taking PLENTY of time (relative to the intimacy) in thinking about "opening up," considering as much of the far-reaching consequences as possible, will always serve you well.
Taking some time, beforehand, will also buy the history of your good intentions for yourself, in the future--life can just be difficult at times, you'll know you did your best.
I've completed my 47th lap around the sun, by the way.

Answer 4

Im almost 40,is this age about right to give you some advise.You sound like a pretty smart lady already,I would say ENJOY your years between 20 -30 you only get them once and they will be the BEST but so far so good,you are studying,having a boyfriend,got your family,some friends,saving some money....things I didnt have sorted out when i was your age.I would say READ books just about anything,books can teach you a lot but one thing important get enough exercise and sort out a healthy diet,important for when you gonna be 40-up,its better not to get stuck on fast food and while you are young GO and SEE the world,I did.Im Dutch myself and traveled to a lot of countries before turning 30.Have some fun,ok

Answer 5

So a 4 year degree good for you, and working even better. Your getting a good start in the BIG WORLD. I am proud to here.Anywhoo you do need to eat three meals a day snack two times during the day, go to the Gym if passable and keep up the good work! Hope you have a nice life....

Answer 6

It sounds as if you've got a good start. Try to eat well as that is what keeps you going.
My advice as I am older is never forget family values, and traditions. It's very important to carry on to the children and keep it going. Alot of young people are wonderful today, but alot are also somewhat neglected in those areas I mention. Of course it is not their fault - Parents both have a need to work today and
have enormous stress in keeping everything together. bettyk

Answer 7

We do not have to follow the elders' advice regarding life at all times, since life has changed and certain concepts were not in their way of thinking long ago. However, it is very good to listen to them and to their wisdom. Indeed, through the years, they have had time to gather information about life that we have not yet collected. It is wise to consider what they have to advise us out of their limited wisdom.

Answer 8

I'm only 36, so I haven't learned much. You might say I learn slower than you, as it sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders. For what it's worth, here's most of what I know. Hope it helps.

Lofty things like "Life is for searching out truth" sound cheesy, but they're true; the words are just so fluffy-sounding. Find the words that bring them down to earth. If you think the cops can find the real criminal, you believe in truth. And whatever people say about truth being a construct, they act as if it were real. As indeed it is.

Keeping your bod in shape is much easier than trying to get into shape. Don't go slack in this department.

When you move, you find out what's really yours. (My dad's nugget for me. Mine for you.)

Anybody can be a jerk. Guys in wheelchairs, sweet little old ladies. Anyone.

Lecturing never helped.

So I'm stopping right here. Best wishes to you!

Answer 9

One purpose of life is to seek truth. Unfortunately, many people walk astray from the path of truth. Here are somethings to look out for:

1. Careful of lies, for pleasant lies are the most enduring truth.
2. Truth is not changed because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of people.
3. Most importantly, truth exists, only lies have to be invented.

Answer 10

When it comes to friends, quality is always better than quantity and acquaintances are just fine.

Always save something.

The best investment is real estate.

Moderation is the key to life, food and exercise.

Always love your work or work to find something that you love.

Think before you speak.

Taking care of you enables you to care for others.

Good luck kiddo!