I'M 64 - HERE'S 64 THINGS I KNOW

I’m 64. I can’t believe how time flies. And yes I know that’s what old people say. There a Kevin Costner movie called The Guardian, and there’s a scene where Kevin’s character is talking to the bartender played by Bonnie Bramlett, who gives a short speech about getting old. “Getting old isn’t bad. Getting old - it’s earned”. It’s a short moving speech that you might like to see. Me? I look back on my life, the things I’ve done, the people who poured into me and the things I’ve learned. 

And here are 64 things I’ve learned up to the age of 64. Many are quotes from movies and famous people and my friends. If not references, the quotes are mine. I’ve listed them in no particular order. 

1. Stretch your body every day. 
2. Stay flexible. Don’t go into debt. It’s nearly impossible to get out. 
3. You get what you pay for. Stop looking for cheap deals. 
4. Do what you say you’ll do otherwise you’ll never be trusted. 
5. "Once you give up your dreams, you die." (Jennifer Beals in "Flashdance") 
6. Don’t be late. It’s unprofessional. 
7. Don’t ever tell anybody everything. Some secrets are not meant to be shared. (Don Shafer) 
8. If you look after your things they’ll last longer. (Mom). 
9. Keep your stories short. People are only listening until there’s a squirrel. And there’s always a squirrel.
10. Never say "never". The last time I said "never" I ended up in Nicaragua. 
11. Great ideas can have bad timing. Sometimes you need to wait. (Pastor Wayne Lucas) 
12. If you’re wondering if God is involved, look for the fruit. (Pastor Wayne Lucas) 
13. Best friends are only around until the wind changes direction or your money runs out, whichever comes first. 
14. Some people are eternally unreliable. Keep your distance. 
15. "Everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn’t end." (Tom Cruise in "Cocktail") 
16. Have a hero to follow. (Matthew McConaughey) 
17. Someone is watching you. How you act. What you say. Be a hero to someone else. 
18. Don’t get sucked in to nonsense.
19. You can’t fix everything that goes wrong. Let it go.
20. You can’t figure everything out. Let God do his job. 
21. People change and the memories remain. Cherish the memories. 
22. Get a dog. 
23. You can talk about doing good deeds but unless you actually do them, you’ve done nothing. 
24. The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination. (Peaceful Warrior movie) 
25. Be nice. Be nice to everyone. (Tarzan Dan) 
26. Car rides are better when someone else is driving. (Pip Lucas) 
27. If you’re sick, get meds, get therapy and pray. It’s a good combination. 
28. The speed limit may be low but ramp speeds never lie. (Marvin Sandomirsky) 
29. There’s someone worse off than you. Buy them dinner. Buy them a bed. 
30. When someone offers you a bottle of water, accept it. It’s not because you’re thirsty. It’s because you’re polite. 
31. Surrendering your time and inconveniencing yourself for someone else feels really good. 
32. Save your money for at least one really good bucket list event. 
33. People think you know what you’re talking about when you’re older. Even if you don’t. 
34. "There’s never nothing going on." (From "Peaceful Warrior") 
35. Spend more time being grateful for what you have and less time asking for more stuff. 
36. Coke is delicious. Coke brings a smile. It is never insincere, it is never late. It calms me whenI’m frustrated and gratifies me when I’m happy. Coke is always a sight for sore eyes. It is always bubbly. Always quenches. It far outweighs the cavities. Coke is always there for me. Coke is it.
37. When you steal an idea, leave one for someone else. 
38. Don’t wait until your idea is perfect. When it’s 90% ready, launch it. You can fix the rest on the fly. (Terry Williams) 
39. Don’t follow your heart - the heart deceives. Don’t follow your nose - the direction changes. Follow the giver of dreams. (Rich Mullins)
40. Ask yourself “who cares?” If noone cares, why do it? 
41. Ask yourself “so what?” If it doesn’t matter, why do it? 
42. Don’t let your kids run your life. There’s always a babysitter if you really want one. 
43. Go on dates. Get a life. 
44. When people are guilty, they dance to avoid embarrassment. Stop the dancing. 
45. If people can’t admit to being wrong, never expect them to being honest. 
46. If you ate the steak, you pay for it. (Judge Judy) 
47. Don’t hang up your Christianity for a movie, for a song, or especially a person. You’re a Christian all the time. Live it. 
48. “I screwed up. I’m sorry” Five words that will let you off the hook. 
49. Knowing “just enough” is an unfulfilled life. 
50. Aim for the middle. You’re guaranteed to have an average life. Aim higher. Even if you miss, you’re likely going to be further ahead. (Charlie Peacock) 
51. God gave you time. What are you doing with it? 
52. Look for a need and fill the need with what you have. 
53. The more money you have, the more you can give away. (A Christian friend) 
54. Nobody cares as much as you. 
55. You can’t lead someone somewhere if you haven’t been there yourself. 
56. Have a willingness to look stupid. Have the stamina to keep going. 
57. Surround yourself with people smarter than you. 
58. Work your ass off while you’re young, so when you’re older you can enjoy the ride. (Christopher Ward) 
59. The concept of “fun and learning”. If you’re having fun but not learning anything, keep doing it. If you’re not having fun, but you’re still learning something, keep doing it. If you’re not having fun and you’re not learning anything, go do something else. 
60.  Some of the best songs were written on drugs. 
61. People love to shoot the visionary and tell you your idea won’t work. If you’re a visionary, get used to it. (Jay Davis) 
62. Being a public person can be lonely. I have fewer friends. I second guess myself. 
63. Where does it say that our ministry always has to be expanding? “It’s written on our hearts.” (Pastor Todd Dugard) 
64. Write it down. You'll forget if you don't.
65.