A very wise woman said that there are four essentials in life: health, family, friends and money. A friend shared this with us last night. The very wise woman is, in fact, her mother.
Most of us have known each other since we were five. Fifty years is a very long time to know anyone and that’s how long we’ve known each other. We weren’t all friends from Day One but at the very least, we have been friends for 40 years. That’s still a very long time.
But we didn’t really notice the passage of time. One day, we just looked in the mirror and were blown away by what we saw. One day, we just looked at one another across the table and realized we were old and tired.
And that’s okay—to be old and tired and to look in the mirror and not like what you see all the time. The most important thing is that we are still here. This is the one thing we should not forget to be grateful for.
Everyone grows old and frail and a lot less captivating than the last time we looked in the mirror. But shouldn’t we just be glad to get here?
With age comes inevitable infirmities. We cannot avoid injury or illness. But we can strive to do what we can. We can eat less, move more. We can stress less, sleep more. We can worry less, laugh more.
We can strive to live well—to find purpose, to accept adversity, to celebrate life, to embrace grief, to let go, to find peace, to love fully, to forgive, to find joy, no matter what life brings.
We can be grateful for our families. Because despite opinions that polarize us, habits that annoy us, weaknesses that tear us apart, at the end of the day, our love prevails. We are there for each other.
What makes two people perfect for each other? Their ability to live with each other’s imperfections. When your love thrives even in the throes of each other’s imperfections, then you are perfect for each other.
We do not become brave by not being afraid. We become brave by allowing our butterflies to fly in formation. The intrepid are always afraid, but that doesn’t stop them from taking a leap of faith.
We can strive to earn money while we can. Enough money to enjoy the comforts and conveniences of daily life. Enough money so we can sleep soundly at night. Enough money so we do not have to worry excessively about the future.
But we should not have to kill ourselves in the process.
Revisit the past and learn from it, but don’t stay there forever. Plan for the future, but don’t live there yet. We are still in the present. The only thing we really have is now. Let’s not miss the moment.
Most of us have known each other since we were five. This year, we all turn 55. Fifty years is a very long time to be together. Every day, we are grateful.
Health, family, friends, money—if you have all four, know that it’s better than winning the lottery.