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Think positive not negative, always look on the bright side, never think of a half full glass as being half empty, fill your mind with good things and avoid grumpy whiners.
Life doesn’t always come out like you dreamed it would – it may even come out better. Play the hand dealt you, don’t envy others, don’t mope about what might have been.
God knows, God sees, God helps us through it all. Nothing, even pandemics and panic and bad times, lasts forever. It will pass.
We take God’s blessings for granted, don’t even remember them. All the good days, the times He provided, we take for granted and forget … and then ask for more.
It’s the trip that matters, not the destination. Let’s not say we’ll be happy only when we reach a goal, go on vacation, retire or win the lottery. Let’s be happy every day and enjoy the life trip.
Time won’t stop when we reach a certain goal, life goes on. Enjoy every day, don’t postpone happiness for some distant future goal.
If it is to be, it’s up to me.
Stop being so lazy and dreading things. If something needs to be done then do it. If I dread something then it needs to be done first, get it over with, else you’ll ruin the whole day.
Drink lots and lots of water. Stay hydrated because getting dehydrated is awfully hard on anyone, especially seniors.
Don’t eat so much. Never, ever, eat until you are full. Stop when you know you could actually hold a little more. “Clean your plate” advice has made U.S. obese.
Don’t fear the worst, it just puts negative thoughts in your head. You can easily terrorize yourself by your own wild imagination of horrible events that never happen, never even come close.
Life was meant to be enjoyed – the Bible says love God, love your neighbor and love yourself. Be happy and help others every chance you get.
Good health > wealth
Best and cheapest exercise is good brisk walking, not just strolling or posing. Does not put stress on your joints that jogging does.
Get a good night’s sleep, at least eight hours. The Mexican siesta, nap after lunch, is good if you can arrange it.
Do not eat a heavy meal late in the evening and take a bloated stomach to bed with you. That’s a recipe for couch potato disaster.
Avoid the use of tobacco in any form. It contains the poisonous addictive nicotine. There is no safe way to use it; it kills about the same number of people each year as Covid-19.
Nicotine and alcohol have been America’s favorite drugs ever since the days of George Washington, so-called father of the country. He operated one of the largest liquor distilleries in the country, and his Virginia plantations produced tobacco on a mass scale.
Stay optimistic at all times
Heard a mountain tale about a little widow woman who lived alone way back in a hollow.
No electricity back then, long walk to the spring where she got her water. And a wooden spring-box that chilled her butter and other food and kept it safe.
She tended her milk-cow and hoed her rocky garden spot, but they said at least once a day she paused, sat in her slat-back rocking chair and counted her blessings.
Love the life-lessons often taught in the lyrics of country music.
Especially remember a bluegrass song that said, “Put a little more water in the soup … there’s better times a-coming …”
Happy New Year!
Wally Avett first wrote for the Cherokee Scout as editor in 1969. His books are available as signed copies at the Scout office in Murphy. Call him at 837-5531 or email wallyavett@gmail.com.