Life is too short.
Play with your dog. Eat that extra piece of chocolate pie without guilt. Don’t hold grudges. Walk in the rain. Don’t put off exploring your own backyard. Take that day trip to Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge that has been on your things-to-do list for months.
Stop procrastinating about writing your memoir. Laugh at yourself often. Accept that you’re old and that the mirror tells the truth – you’re not looking for a lover so who else would care?
Speak your mind more, but remember to be kind. Don’t take your friends, or your family, for granted. Write more snail-mail letters. Stay awake until 4 a.m. listening to that great book you’re enjoying. Simply sit for a while and watch hummingbirds flit around a nectar feeder.
Buy a new pair of shoes and throw the old ones away. Stop censoring your own journal. Paint a picture of a rainbow, or a bluebird, or the flower that’s blooming outside your window. Cook a special meal. Sit under a tree and read a book. Learn something new.
And always remember to be thankful for being the CEO of your own wonderful life.
Just a few reminders when one’s years ahead are shorter than the years behind.
Pat Bean is a retired award-winning journalist who lives in Tucson with her canine companion, Scamp. She is a wondering-wanderer, avid reader, enthusiastic birder, Lonely Planet Community Pathfinder, Story Circle Network board member, author of Travels with Maggie available on Amazon (Free on Kindle Unlimited), and is always searching for life’s silver lining.
Pat Bean's blog 
I love that painting and the post. Thanks so much
Thanks for the kind words Katie.
And for me: still plant trees when over 70.
Keep planting Pit … and blogging, especially about Port Aransas.
Pat it seems as if every single sentence was a labor of love. Very well done!
GREAT Reminder – thanks 🙂 Need to add in the play, fun, laughter, etc. Happy Day – Enjoy!
Pat, the 👟 shoes, the old shoes! I was just thinking about throwing the old ones away. Today!
Great advice!