50 thoughts on turning 50

Up until the last few days I never imagined living to 50! But, it appears I'll make it. And, it is appropriate to stop and reflect for a few moments. In the five decades I've picked up a thing or two that have shaped the way I view life. I thought I'd pass them on here, hoping that it they will help someone be a little smarter than I have been. Here goes, in no particular order:

1. Give up trying to be perfect.
   
2. Everyone is broken and bruised, handle with care.
   
3. Every sorrow is mingled with joy and every joy tainted with pain.
4. Marry over your head!
5. Read 1 chapter of Proverbs per day every month...for ten years!
6. If this life is all there is, it's not worth it.
7. Find a few things you are good at and make a difference there.
   
8. You are an original, don't be a copy.
9. Avoid debt on any depreciating asset like you would avoid drowning!
10. Cash is king. Keep a reserve.
11. Life makes more sense when it is about God, not about you.
12. Don't take yourself so seriously.
13. Yes, your parents screwed you up -- get over it. (Don't merely toughen up, learn from it so you don't do it to your kids).
14. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.
15. The person who doesn't read has no advantage over the person who can't.
16. You will reap what you sow.
17. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
18. Take responsibility.
19. Live in Quadrant II -- the important, but not urgent.
20. Seek to understand before you seek to be understood.
21. Begin with the end in mind.
22. Take time each week to review your plan and plan your week.
23. Don't make it harder than it needs to be.
24. Most things I've worried about never happened.
25. You will regret not trying more than you will failing.
26. Separate your hazards.
27. Money is a great slave, but a horrible master.
28. You will understand yourself and your life better when you experience another language and culture.
29. Guard your heart for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23).
30. Insanity = doing what you've always done and expecting a different result.
31. Mosquitoes can ruin a big game safari.
32. If you are not the lead dog, the scenery never changes.
33. The two most important days of your life: The day you were born and the day you figure out why you were born.
34. Only do what only you can do. -- Scott Haugen.
35. Things happen for a reason. If the reasons don't change, neither do the things. -- Pat Clifford.
36. never trust a man who doesn't walk with a limp.
37. Christianity, if false is of no importance; if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. -- C.S. Lewis.
38. The way around is usually through.
39. The quality of your life is largely determined by the quality of the people around you.
40. Leadership is a choice. It is a choice not to do nothing!
41. What does this have to do with the overwhelming supremacy of Christ?
42. The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object off its love. -- Henry Scougal
43. Take the long view. We overestimate what we can do in three months and underestimate what can be done in three years.
44. GIGO: Garbage In, Garbage Out.
45. Turn off your TV.
46. God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him. -- John Piper.
47. You've got to do your own growing, it doesn't matter how tall your grandfather was.
48. He doesn't waste our time.
    
49. 20% of your effort produces 80% of your results. -- Paretto Principle
50. The six most important words: "Well done, Good and Faithful Servant!"