Patricia Stoltey

Author

Ten Important Things I’ve Learned So Far

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I’m thinking of putting together a series of “things I’ve learned so far” posts and then keeping the running list on a separate page.

Turning 70 has a tendency to make us think about these things. It also caused a brain earthquake that dislodged all the memories of stupid things I did when I was young so now I’m forced to relive my most embarrassing moments. I’m not inclined to share any of those at this time. Maybe when I turn 80…

Anyway, here a a few of the things I’ve learned so far:

1. We shouldn’t do stupid stuff that would interfere with our ability to get a job or run for political office. If we do something stupid, we shouldn’t post about it on social media

2. A fancy title doesn’t change a thing. Palmetto bugs are still cockroaches.

3. Smoking is a nasty habit that destroys lives.

4. Cats are fascinating.

5. It’s okay to eat chocolate, but eating a whole pound of chocolates at one sitting is self-destructive.

6. Big tasks are completed one tiny chore at a time.

7. Money is important. The best way to get money is to work hard. The best way to get a good job is to learn a valuable skill and perform it well. Sometimes we need to work at a not-so-good job while we learn that new skill. This is okay. We can catch up on our sleep later.

8. Learning to sit quietly and relax is a valuable skill.

9. We are not required to finish every project we start.

10. Smiles are good and should be given and received on a daily basis.

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Comments

  2. Hi Julie — I finally figured it out when I logged on Facebook. No, I wasn’t trying to keep the list a secret, but I’d been so busy with company and then resting up from company that I hadn’t posted any links. That’s why I was so (pleasantly) surprised to see so many comments.

    Diane, Katie was in my lap spying on me while I wrote this list so I didn’t dare say weird. But it’s true…

    Laura — the other thing I learned about “palmetto bugs” is that they like wallpaper paste and can strip wallpaper right down to the wallboard. Icky creatures!

  3. #2 cracked me up! I didn’t understand what a Palmetto bug was when I moved from California to Florida…until I saw one. A giant cockroach!

  5. Hi Pat,

    In answer to your question, I subscribe to your posts, so that’s how I saw it. Then I posted to facebook and, I think it was Dean, who then shared it. Sorry if you were trying to keep this great list a secret. You are one popular lady!

  6. Thanks, Elizabeth. 35 does sound better, doesn’t it?

    Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by. #9 seems to be very popular.

    J.A., great to see you here. Glad you enjoyed my little list.

    Ah, Margot, this is just a drop in the bucket…and then there’s the list of things I’ve never learned…like when to stop eating on Thanksgiving Day.

    Hi Lynda! I think I could grow my list to at least 100. How about you?

    Thanks, Dean. I’ll work on my list. And when you start yours, I’ll bet you have something on it about finding peace while fly fishing.

    Shannon, you’re so kind.

    I’m wondering how y’all found this post since I didn’t do any promotion today.

  8. More wonderful wisdom from a great person (and writer!) I’m sure your 70 years of experience has taught you more than just these 10 things, so I’ll keep hanging around you and see what else I can pick up!

    Happy New Decade of Life to you!

  14. Congrats on turning 70….you look great.

    Thanks for the wonderful list too.

    I have ten more years to go until 70 but agree with Beth that I still feel 35. 🙂

    Elizabeth
    Silver’s Reviews
    My Blog

  15. Alex, palmetto bugs were one of the reasons I was happy to retire from Florida to Colorado. Haven’t seen one since.

    Beth, I turned that page in May…but I still can’t reconcile that number with the inner 35-year-old me. Something just doesn’t compute.

    Julie, it took me a long time to figure that out, but now it’s like having permission to try a bunch of new stuff I might not like…even putting a book down and never finishing it if the first 10-20 pages don’t grab me.

    Hi Cindy — the older I get, the longer my list becomes. 😀

  17. I love this idea and can’t wait to read each new post. Nothing like mooching life advice from someone who’s earned the right to share it.

    My favorite is “We are not required to finish every project we start.” For someone who is just slightly compulsive it is like an icy glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day.