The Good Life

My grandfather passed away last week at the age of 90. There were a few lessons that I have learned from him that I thought I would share.

1. It is better to listen well then to speak well. My Pop-pop always listened to us. He usually didn't give his advice right away but he let us work through situations and learn from our mistakes and our accomplishments. Then he would tell us what he really thought.

2. Always stay active. Up to his death he was an active man. Slower in pace as the years piled on but active still. He played golf through his eighties and even got a hole in one and he played bocce ball and traveled.

3. Set your goals and make them happen. In the 1990's he got cancer and fought through it with surgeries and treatment. He set a goal that he would live to see the year 2000, and became healthy again and accomplished it. Then after my grandmother died in 2004 he set another goal to travel to the Panama Canal. This past March he took a cruise through the canal and loved it.

4. Take time to watch the sunsets. You see them a zillion times but they are beautiful each time and oh so different. His house on the river has a porch where he would sit and watch the sunset each evening. They mark a beautiful life.

5. Err on the side of patience.

The good things in life will come if only you are patient.He was the most patient, kind and considerate man I have ever known. He will be missed greatly in this world.

Submitted by: Whitney

Finish Line

I ran my first marathon back in 2004. When you're at the starting line your adrenaline is pumping, there's thousands of people around you, and you're anxious as hell because you know you've worked your butt off for the past 4 months just for this very moment. It's pretty intense. When that gun goes off, all you want to do is jump out there and get in the race and get running! But you can't. Every smart runner knows you have to control your pace in the beginning so that you have enough gas to finish at the end.

I learned alot of things from my marathon experience. By the time I crossed the finish line my toes were bleeding, I had cramps everywhere and I felt like my lungs were going to collapse. But if it wasn't for the patience and discipline I had at the beginning, I would have never had the heart and fortitude I needed to finish at the end.

Lesson learned: Life is a marathon. Patience is your pace-setter. Use just enough in moderation to make sure you finish what you start.

Patience....

Today I went to the grocery store. There was an old(er) man walking very slooooowly through the parking lot. I waited, although somewhat annoyed, for him to get out of my way. I parked, grabbed my basket and headed inside all while he was still making his way thru the doors.

I did my shopping, checked out and headed back to my car. I glanced over and saw that the man was still in the produce section, the first section of the store. "Dang", I thought. "He is hecka slow." In some ways I felt sorry for him, thinking how sad it must be to reach an age where your body doesn't move as quickly as you want it to.

As I was head home I realized that in my haste I'd forgotten about 3 items that I needed at the store.

Lesson Learned: Maybe there is something to this patience thing after all.