Life is precious. Particularly, to someone who is 78 and playing the “back nine.”
This leads me to my first snippet of wisdom: Time is infinite. It cannot be banked but can be lost instantly. Look at it as a commodity that you purchase through the Apple app store. Let’s say it is packaged in 60-minute units. How much would you pay for 24 units? In today’s reality, you can choose to auto-refill or purchase occasionally. Spend it wisely!
As the years went by, I realized that I hit the “life lottery” by being born to Depression-era parents. Respecting authority, prayer, pledge of allegiance, learning to save, swift accountability for actions, chores, and a healthy fear of God were standard fare. The Ten Commandments mattered! The focus on education, listening, traveling, and the knowledge gained from racing was priceless.
My Polish immigrant grandparents, as well as my parents and I, were clear on our respective genders and roles. They were not my “friends.” I can still hear my homemaker mom say, “Billy you must be responsible for your behavior, open doors for ladies and the elderly, and no hats worn indoors and certainly NOT at meals.” A dad who worked two jobs to “make ends meet” still found time to spend with me and share his wisdom. Physical intimacy was not “just something to do.” Procreation was a gift and a huge mutual responsibility.
Actions had consequences. Truth was easier to remember. Hard work was honored and respected. Equal opportunity did not mean equal outcome. Performance was expected and rewarded. Lead with a firm handshake and meet their eyes. Work to live, invest for net worth. Understand the power of compounding. You can’t beat dividends. Stay clear of the stampede, play equities for the long term. Compete with the Joneses and you lose. Being underrated can be an asset. It is true—stupidity is voluntary. You reflect your friends. Focus on hitting singles. Continue to load the bases and with the next hit, you’re scoring and the game gets easier. Be grateful and be a good steward of what may be given to you. Yes, there is a right and wrong. Develop a moral compass.
I grew to treasure what I call this yardstick of values and beliefs my parents passed on to me and I garnered through the years. I find I sleep better measuring my choices/decisions against this guide post. It helped immensely in bringing joy to my life and hopefully bringing joy to others. May the readers pick and choose as they wish and leave the rest.
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