The Hit List - Older and wiser

My sister and I are blessed with amazing eyebrows. Naturally full and dark with gorgeous arches, they frame our eyes perfectly – and we rarely have to do a thing to them.

I’ll get mine shaped maybe once a year. Sometimes less so. I’m lazy that way but I can get away with it because these brows are pretty darn solid. This year, I’ve decided to leave them alone.

It’s not just because the big brow look is “in” right now. Instead, it’s because I discovered a white hair a few months back. I promptly plucked that sucker right out.

But recently, I noticed a few more cropping up. They’re also wiry little suckers. So curious as can be, I decided I’m going to leave ‘em be and see what happens. It’s strange, this aging thing. I’ve started inspecting myself a lot more closely than I ever have before. (Especially after getting a new passport photo. YIKES.)

I constantly scrutinize my face for wrinkles or chin hair and my body for signs of cellulite or spider veins.

I’m not doing too bad over here but it’s still obvious: I’m no young hen.

But with age comes wisdom as they say. Some of the things I’ve been discovering lately:

:: How to be a good parent to adult children: shut your mouth.

:: How to be a good child to aging parents: listen more.

:: You can still love people who don’t share the same beliefs.

:: Critics don’t have to love you or your work – that’s your job.

:: Learn something new every day. Your brain likes that.

:: Technology isn’t going away. Stay on it.

:: Life is too short to hang around by the phone waiting for someone to phone you or text you – get out there and LIVE while you can.

:: Having a partner is nice but not necessary for a great life.

:: Loss is inevitable.

:: A sincere and kindly compliment isn’t hard to give.

:: You’re going to encounter nasty people who want to bring you down. Don’t waste one ounce of your energy on them. Instead, bless them and send them on their way.

:: Even if you’ve been hurt before, don’t visit that on your current or future partner.

:: Allow people to save face, even if they’ve been terrible to you.

:: That mean person on the internet might just be a person going through a very bad time in real life. Try not to take that shit personally. Send ‘em some kindness, move on, don’t dwell.

:: A small bit of kindness goes a long way.

:: Everyone has a story to tell and something to teach you.

:: Never waste tears on jerks.

:: Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.

:: Mistakes will be made. Apologize and course correct as soon as you can.

:: Make an effort to be friendly to everyone you meet. People need that.

:: Let love rule your heart, not bitterness.

:: Be inclusive – have a diverse and interesting group of people in your life. You learn more that way.

:: Positivity, always.

:: All those big things you thought you’d never be able to do? Pish posh. You can do whatever you put your mind too, dear.

That’s all I got for ya now. Let’s see what I might know when these brows turn Andy Rooney white. Which may not be that far down the road.