It’s in our DNA

If you've ever sat down with an elder person for any length of time, chances are you've heard him talk about a lesson he's learned in life -- either passed down from parents and grandparents or learned through his own hard knocks.

Would you agree that most people like airing their problems? We all have tsuris, troubles that we encounter in life. What's really valuable is when people describe not only the problem, but the impact; not only the challenge, but how they dealt with it.

"The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person." Andy Rooney

You know the saying it's in our DNA? Well, maybe our ancestors are saying, "It's in our DNA to learn and to overcome." When an elderperson tells her stories, she may not even recognize the value of where she came from or the gravity of what she's achieved. But those stories are the antithesis of cliche and the advice can't be oversimplified to fit into a soundbite or hashtag.

It's in those stories that we find the good stuff. The substance. The handbook of how to live!

In this article by "Living Maples", the writer highlights some of the top lessons learned by a sample group of people in elderhood.

1. Be a lifelong learner - this includes taking victories and failures in stride, seeing them all as part of life's experiences and opportunities for growth and wisdom.

2. Be generous - be willing to give what you have and help others in any way you can, expecting nothing in return. Enjoy the fact that others are benefitting from your generosity. It's a gift.

3. Regularly set achievable goals - each day, sit down and decide what you want to achieve, set goals and tasks to get you there. Track your progress to see for yourself that you're not stuck. This will motivate you now and in the future when you confront challenge.

No need recreate the blueprint. Our elders have so much wisdom and insight. Because they've 'been there', they can help us navigate many of the challenges we face. We just need to invite them to share and then be there to listen.

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Legacy is the Present

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Finding the Right Gift