01-Time to use the money you saved. Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may have no idea what sacrifices you made to get it. Remember, there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with great ideas for your hard earned capital. Warning: It's also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or infallible. They only bring problems and worries. Now is the time for you to enjoy the calm and tranquility.
02-Stop worrying about your children and grandchildren's financial situation and don't feel bad spending your money on yourself. You've been looking after them for many years and taught them what you could. You gave them education, food, shelter and support. It is up to them now to make their own money.
03-Keep a healthy life, with no extreme physical effort. Exercise moderately (like walking everyday), eat well and sleep. It's easy to get sick and it's harder to stay healthy. This is why you need to keep yourself fit and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, test even when you're feeling good. Stay informed.
04-Always buy the best and most beautiful items for your partner. The main goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day, one of you will miss the other, and money won't give you any comfort, enjoy it together.
05-Don't care about small things. You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad memories, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past drag you down and let the future scare you. Feel good in the now. Small problems will soon be forgotten.
06-Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: a man (person) is not old as long as he/she has intelligence and affection.
07-Be proud, inside and out. Don't stop going to your barbershop or hair salon, get your nails done, go to the dermatologist and dentist, keep your perfumes and creams stocked. When you're well-kept outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.
08-Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own style. There's nothing worse than an older person trying to wear current fashion among young people. You have developed your own sense of what suits you - keep it and be proud of it. It's part of who you are.
09-Always stay up to date. Read the papers, watch the news. Go online and read what people say. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of these social media. You will be surprised at the old friends you meet. Staying connected with what's going on and with people you know is important at all ages.
10-Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future and they will take the world their way. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday's wisdom still applies today.
11-Never use expression ‘in my day’. Your time is now. As long as you are alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you're still you now, having fun and enjoying life.
12-Some people embrace their golden age, while others become bitter and drunk. Life is too short to waste your days on it. Spend your time with positive and joyful people, it will rub you off and your days will look much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.
13-Don't give in to the temptation to live with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Of course being surrounded by family sounds good, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you've lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find someone to move in with you and help. Even then, only do it if you feel you really need help or don't want to live alone.
14-Don't give up on your hobbies. If you don't have one, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or dog, grow a garden, play cards, chess, dominoes, golf [tennis, squash or pickleball], or go back to the gym. You can paint, volunteer or just pick up some new interests. Find something you love and spend real time having fun with it.
15-Even if you don't feel like it, try accepting invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences [when it’s safe to do so]. Try to leave. Get out of the house, meet people you haven't seen in a long time, experience something new (or old). But don't get mad when you're not invited. Some events are resource limited, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house once in a while. Go to museums, browse a new place or store, go for a drive. Go on, go on.
16-Don’t be a talker. Speak less and listen more. Some people keep talking about the past, not worrying about whether their listeners are really interested. This is a great way to reduce their urge to talk to you. Listen first and answer questions, but don't get into long stories unless you're invited. Speak courtesy and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need it. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things and people have low tolerance to hear complaints. Always find good things to say.
17-Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with aging. Try not to dwell on them, but accept them as part of the life cycle we all go through. Try to minimize them in your mind. It's not who you are, it's something life has added to you. If they become your goal, you lose sight of the person you were.
18-If someone has offended you, forgive them. If you have offended anyone, please apologize. Don't drag resentment with you. This only makes you sad and bitter. Whoever was right. Someone once said holding grudges is like taking poison and expecting the other one to die. Don't take that poison. Forgive, forget and continue your life.
19-If you have a strong belief, enjoy it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only frustrate you. Live your faith and lead by example. Live faithfully to your beliefs and let that memory influence them.
20-Laugh a lot. Laugh at everything. Remember you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never reach this age, never live a full life. But you did. So what is there not to laugh at? Find humor in your situation.
21-Don't mind what others say about you let alone what they think. They will anyway, and you should be proud of yourself and what you have accomplished. Let them talk and don't worry. They have no idea of your story, your memories and the life you've lived so far!
22-There's still a lot to ‘write’, so keep busy writing and don't waste time thinking about what others may think.”