12/30/2022
I was with a woman yesterday who is 99. When I sat down next to her, the first thing she said to me, was "I am almost one hundred years old, can you believe that?” I always love (and look forward to) these conversations.
I sat down next to her bed, and we chatted for about twenty minutes. Before leaving I said, “if you could give your younger self some advice, based on everything you have learned over your ninety-nine years, what would it be?” She thought about it for a moment, her face lit up, and she said, “I would tell myself to stop listening to what everyone else says, and to make my own decisions based on what is best for me. I spent most of my life doing what everyone else wanted for me. I had my own voice, but I never listened to it. Stop worrying about what others think of you. Be the best you that you can be…on your terms.” She was so proud of herself for saying that, and her smile was so big.
I promised her I would take her advice too
This was very good advice, something I wish I had heard many years ago… I too spent most of my life worrying about what everyone else thought of me, always afraid to look bad in their eyes, sometimes to the point of not doing what I wanted or needed… I regret that.
I think I'll take her advice moving forward! I know this advice won't work for everyone... but it works for me 🙂 Just thought I'd share some wisdom from someone who has been here awhile...
This was one of my joys for the day.
xo
Gabby