Starting the new year on a positive note is a deep-rooted tradition, which often requires establishment and adherence to resolutions made at the beginning of the year. 2015 is another year, and sure, we’ve got a list of things-to-do or things-to-change this year which if you just apply a few gems of truths or get advise from those more knowledgeable in certain areas of one’s life may help in steering the coast in a smoother way.
Can you imagine who may be able to provide a better source of life advice other than a 99-year-old Grandpa who has experienced love, loss, triumph and failure but continues to stay composed and keep people laughing with his jokes? Macy Williams of PopSugar asked her inspirational nonagenarian great-grandfather Andy Anderson, a man full of advice for some life lessons, some of which we think may be utilized in ensuring we achieve our new year resolutions or goals this year.
So, here are 25 life lessons from Mr. Andy Anderson. What more could we ask for?
- Always maintain a good sense of humor.
- Never be too good to start at the bottom.
- Exercise every single day, even when you don’t feel like it.
- Don’t spend more money than you make.
- Drink orange juice every day.
- Love at first sight is not a fable.
- Having a bad job is better than having no job at all.
- Eat around the mold – Don’t go wasting food.
- Your family is the most precious thing you will ever have in life.
- Eat sausage every day – It worked for me.
- Your life is delicate, and if you neglect yourself, you’ll spoil. That’s what cheese taught me.
- Don’t ever be afraid to be your true self.
- Everyone has too many clothes. Wear what you have and quit buying more.
- You must be able to forgive, even if it’s difficult to do.
- Save your money now and spend it later.
- Love is not always easy – Sometimes you have to work at it.
- Find something comical in every single situation.
- If you’re faced with a problem, don’t delay trying to figure it out. But if there’s no way to figure it out, you have to forget about it.
- Make sure you’re doing what you love – Don’t be afraid to follow those dreams you have for yourself.
- Education is important, but not necessary. Life can be an education in itself.
- Explore your world and stay curious.
- Try not to take yourself so seriously.
- My full name is William Bradford James Anderson, and my initials always remind me to ask myself, “Why be just anybody?”
- Have common sense. Think about the most reasonable answer to every situation. If you don’t have common sense, you’re a bust.
- Life is a gift that you must unwrap. It’s up to you to determine if what’s inside will lead you to happiness or dismay. You have the power to make that decision for yourself.
Looking forward to his 100th birthday next May, Anderson’s life is an incredible story. Although, he never went to college, he ended up being the national dairy manager for the grocery store chain “Safeway“. He was also married for almost 70 years, until his wife passed away and he insists that it was love at first sight. “I feel pretty good about getting older. I may be 99, but I am still learning and experiencing new things everyday. You never stop learning. Age is not just a number, it’s a badge of all my life experiences”, he says. Asked about the most important thing he’s learned, he responds: “Family is precious. Family is the most influential element of your life from the moment you’re born until the moment you die. Your family shapes who you are as a person”.
Sources: Huffington Post, PopSugar
