Grandma as a young girl during the Great Depression

Grandma as a young girl during the Great Depression

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a joyous and thankful holiday season. I always find this time of year great for reflection and optimism for the new year. I found that even more true this year as I approach my 40th birthday this month.

Approaching these milestones of learning, I took the opportunity of family time during the holidays to gain insight from my grandparents, all in their mid-late 80s, about what I needed to know for the next 40 years of the journey.

They shared three nuggets. That’s it. No big deal. Just three nuggets.

Eat right. It’s no coincidence this one is from my grandmother who looks as good and as smart today as she was 20 years ago.

Keep your mind active. Find activities that challenge your mind. What I took away from my grandmother, who battled back cancer, is always keep learning.

Believe you’re younger than you are. Playing is important. I liked this one the most partly because it’s something I love to do and partly because it was said by my oldest relative; my wonderful great aunt is 88.

Endings are important. They are the doorway to what’s next. As we bid farewell to 2011 and walk through the doorway into 2012, I felt those pieces of wisdom were something we could all use.

Wishing you and your family prosperity and good health in the new year,

glen.