The Life of the Party

First let me say that I had a great Valentine and I hope that all of you did as well. The sun was shining and the air was cool for this time in the Philippines.  It should be getting hotter but not yet!  My husband and I like all the missionary couples share one thing in common: We are all empty nesters! So twice a month we are invited to participate in their Family Home Evening they hold together twice a month. For the past 19 months, we have always been invited to attend their pot luck dinner and FHE but have not had a chance to make it to any even though they hold them at the office, how bizarre!

I wish I was too young to be grouped as part of the senior couples but I am really only a few years away from that… amazing! Anyway, it is great to have the couples serving with us. They each bring so much talent, knowledge, expertise and experience to what they do. One missionary couple, in particular are the life of the party. They are sister and Elder Crockett who used to be professional entertainers with the Osmods.  In addition, sister Crockett sang for the Tabernacle Choir up to before their mission and It is amazing how much energy, talent, joy and humor they bring into our office. Her husband has always commented how she is a ray of sunshine.  Having her energy, and so much enthusiasm injected in our office setting has been wonderful. She planned an amazing valentines party with fun games.

This got me thinking about the power and influence that a positive, optimistic, happy people can have on the world. It is amazing how a happy person can make life brighter and more fun. I was touched last Monday with the thought that when we reach our old age, and I don’t mean 50 or 60, although my grandkids would say that is old, I am talking about 80 to 100, which I hope all of us live to see. I was touched with the thought that when we look back at our lives at that age that we will look back and wish we had been happier, more grateful, and more willing to smile and be kind to others. We will wish we had enjoyed every moment that life brought our way, even the tough ones. We will wish we had loved more, and complained less. We will wish we had looked at the humor in life and allowed ourselves to laugh out loud more often, rather than being embarrassed at what people might think.

I found a great article written by a man who was 95 at the time he wrote it with his own instructions for people on how to live their lives. It really validated today’s thoughts : Life’s Little Instructions (given by 95 year old William Snell in 1993)

 Sing in the shower.

Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

Watch the sunrise at least once a year.

Never refuse homemade brownies.

Strive for excellence not perfection.

Plant a tree on your birthday.

Learn three clean jokes.

Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full.

Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

Leave everything a little better then you found them.

Keep it simple.

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.

Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

Be forgiving of yourself and others.

Say “thank you” a lot.   

Say “please” a lot.

Avoid negative people.

Wear polished shoes.

Remember other people’s birthdays.

Commit yourself to constant improvement.

Have a firm handshake.

Send lots of Valentine cards, sign them.

Look people in the eye.

Be the first to say “hello”

Return all things you borrow.

Make new friends but cherish old ones.

Keep secrets.

Plant flowers every spring.

Have a dog.

Always accept an outstretched hand.

Stop blaming others.

Take responsibility for every area of your life.

Wave at kids on school buses.

Be there when people need you.

Don’t expect life to be fair.

Never underestimate the power of love.

Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.

Don’t be afraid to say “I made a mistake.”

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”

Compliment even small improvements.

Keep your promises no matter what.

Marry only for love.

Rekindle old friendships.

Count your blessings.

Call your mother.

And your dad too, if they happen to be alive.

 What a great thought to start our weekend off with! I know that my attitude will be much better this week having been reminded of the way I want to live my life.

Con amor,

Vero