We spend our entire time in college studying and practicing to be “adults” who have “real” jobs, pay bills, buy large-ticket items like houses, get married, have kids and all the other stuff that comes along with being an adult. We study psychology and write papers and learn about biology, all while trying to figure out how to be the best person we can be as we enter into adulthood. What do people who have already been through much of the life we are trying to prepare for say about life and what’s important? Is it the type of job you get, who you are or where you live that matters? Here is some life advice from people who have already “grown up” and conquered much of the life we are trying to prepare for. These people are from all different walks of life, people who have affected my life in a positive way. Some are grandparents, some are teachers, some are business owners, and some are artists. But all of them are people we can learn something from, taking time to apply their wisdom to our lives in whatever small way we can. May we learn from their words and wisdom about what is truly important in this one life that we have to live.
“Stay out of the sun! No matter how great you look in a 20 year old body with a beautiful tan, you will not feel so beautiful when you’re 60 and seeing a dermatologist for the ugly brown spots caused by that beautiful tan. Or even worse, fighting ongoing skin cancer that now dots your face.” - Carol, English teacher, 63.
“Love hard.” - Jamie, world traveler and grandmother of three, 50s.
“Spend as much time as you can with the ones you love, because that’s all that matters in the end.” - Jerry, business owner, 50s.
“Don’t rush life and embrace all the change that comes. Relax and stop taking yourself so seriously. Never miss an opportunity to have a good laugh. It’s cliché, but the stuff of life is in the small things. Always tell someone that you thought of them, because you never know when that might have been just what they needed to hear. Also, avoid mirrors.” - Theresa, mother of two and grandmother of three, 62.
“Appreciate the arts, because they make life richer. Read Thoreau and follow his advice. Remember that life isn’t about you. Always be honest. Don’t get married until you’re 35.” - Tim, business owner, 60.
“Seek God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” - Jan, pharmacist and business owner, 60.
“Know what you want in life and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t reach it.” - John, farmer, 58.
“Always be your own self and stay true to yourself. Never, ever let anyone tell you who you are or what you should be. If someone doesn’t accept you for who you are, then you need to move on. You either accept each other with all the faults and good or you don’t. Never go into a relationship thinking you will be able to change the other person, even the trivial things.” - Teri, seamstress and designer, 55.
“Live your life by God.” - Amanda, teacher, 46.
“Choose your business partners carefully. You should be likeminded in goals and values. Also, before you have the responsibility of a spouse and family, don’t be afraid to try new things. After you have a family, you lose the luxury of testing out different careers or traveling to new places.” - Joe, business owner, 63.
“Learn to love truly, deeply, and genuinely, no matter what it costs.” –Tina, mother of 10, 47.
“Treat everyone fairly, with respect and expect that they will be good until they prove otherwise, because everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. And work very hard or the man will not ask you back.” - Richard, director of manufacturing, 59.
“If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” - Patty, assistant manager, 50s.
“Walk fast, with your head up….like you’ve got a purpose. Even when you don’t. Luck and chance favor the prepared mind. It’s rarely luck and chance at all.” - John W., financial advisor, 30s.
“Honesty with oneself is probably the greatest gift anyone can give themselves. It’s very hard to do at times, but character is built in those moments when it’s hardest, and the right decision or change is made.” - Sherling, breast cancer survivor, 20s.
“Do what you love and love what you do.” - Maureen, accountant, 40s.
“Love God and love your neighbor.” - Jose, artist, 50.
“Your life goes in the direction of your thoughts, so be careful to always think positively. Your thoughts have incredible power in your life, so guard them.” - Mr. Paul, homeless man on Skid Row.
“Remember that everything you have is a gift, and that the most important thing you can do in life is share with others. It is only in sharing all the gifts you have that you’ll find true happiness. Also, remember to never look back in regret; you can’t drive a car looking in the rearview mirror, so don’t try to live life that way either.” - Ms. Anna, Southeastern professor, 70s.
All of these quotes are from real people with real lives just like yours. Many of them have experienced things you never have or never will, and then maybe some are in the career field you are hoping to break into. Either way you can learn something from their advice, as it has come from the hard-earned degree of actually living life. Instead of trying to always figure out life ourselves, may we take time to seek the wisdom and knowledge of those who are ahead of us on this wild journey. Their words and guidance have the opportunity to be invaluable to us as we strive to live the best life we can.
