Wisdom from our Older Generations!

As I get older I talk to as many older generation folks as I possibly can.  I always ask them what they attribute their longevity to? Their answers have been, not necessarily in this order; 

·        anything you do........do so in moderation,

·         learn what you love to do....and do it,

·         don't stop dreaming,

·         set goals.....then set more goals,

·        don't ever give up on what you want to achieve.....no matter how many times it takes, 

·        care for people, 

·        teach someone how to do something someone older taught you as a young person,

·         work physically or at least exercise regularly, 

·         read and don't stop learning,

·         be open-minded but no so much that your brains fall out the side of your head, 

·        of all the books you read and learn from, the Bible should always be at the top of the heap,

·        exercise keeps you in shape, but a vehicle always gets you further down the road,

·        what comes around, goes around 

I'm always intrigued by visiting with our older generations, there is so much wisdom and good advice.....if only we would take the time to understand it.  Recently I was overseas and I visited with a gentleman and our conversation revolved around the instantaneous access we all have to information through the computer technologies of today.  He relayed how there is no reason why anyone with a computer and Internet access today shouldn't have the equivalent of several PhD's in a few years time, dependent on how much time they spent researching topics.  That led to just how much information is enough information without going into information overload.  

Well, needless to say, we didn't agree on everything........because I am of the old adage from above.........anything you do, do so in moderation.  By the way, the person who gave me that answer.......an 80 year old man who was a 2x past President of the University of Florida and who has hiked to the top of Mount Everest once.  I got the privilege to sit beside this gentleman on a flight from Tallahasse, Florida to Milwaukee, Wisconsin some years ago.   He did not look a day over 60 years of age, needless to say, I had an enjoyable flight learning everything I could from his experiences in life!  And this same gentleman told me to never stop learning, keep your brain active.....but find time to enjoy the things you've learned along the way!

My grandpa's taught me quite a bit about life, as well........matter of fact three of the answers above stem from their words of wisdom.  My grandpa Howell used to say, "be open minded but not so much your brains fall out the side of your head".  As I attended Oklahoma State University working on my educational endeavors through the years, these words kept coming back time and again!

I also remember the words of my grandpa Richardson, he would remark at times..... "that guy is not smart enough to pour piss out a boot with the directions written on the heel"!  So, sometimes it's not that we have the information, it's that we need to know how to use it!  I wish that at times I could have these older generation guys back just to answer some of life's questions without having to live them out!  But, perhaps that's what we are here for......to help each other out as we walk life's pathway!

Enjoy life,

Billy Ray Richardson