51 Things I’ve Learned in 51 Years

I continue to learn. I hit 51 years of age this year and one thing that’s become apparent over the last couple years is how much more I still have to learn.

And, yet, along the way, I have moved into a unique opportunity. It’s almost scary at times. People are looking to me for advice. They think I have something to share. Wow! Just when I realize I don’t really know anything, people think I know some things.

So, I culled together some of my learnings.

Here are 51 things I’ve learned in 51 years:

1. There is no substitute for experience.
2. You can’t lead people where they don’t want to go.
3. No one will be as concerned about protecting your time as much as you.
4. A “lesson in humility” teaches far more than an “ego boost”.
5. Often what I don’t want to do is the very thing I need to do most.
6. The best friends sometimes say the hardest — but most needed — things to hear.
7. People are more honest with you if they can predict your reaction.
8. We hurt most the ones we love the most.
9. Very few people can really comply with “don’t tell anyone”.
10. If someone goes to bed angry they wake up angrier.
11. You never get a second chance at a first impression.
12. God could not and would not ever send you beyond His abilities.
13. Rebuilding trust is more difficult than keeping established trust.
14. If you have to impress a friend they aren’t much of a friend.
15. “Just once” is almost always a bigger deal than led to believe.
16. Don’t be defined by a past you don’t intend to repeat.
17. Never let an inability to understand keep you from an ability to respond in obedience to God by faith.
18. Hard times come naturally in life. We must determine early to use them for God’s glory, to develop personally and to help others.
19. You can pray. You can worry. You can’t do both at the same time.
20. When you quit trying to be like someone else you have a better chance of being who God designed you to be.
21. There is wisdom with age. Always be willing to learn from those who have lived and experienced more of life.
22. The longer you wait to forgive someone the longer it takes to heal your heart.
23. Don’t miss what matters most by worrying about what doesn’t.
24. More success in the world does not automatically bring more happiness, but more success with the things that matter most does.
25. Having wisdom doesn’t mean you made all the right choices. It just means you learned from the choices you made.
26. Just because your momma laughs, doesn’t mean it’s funny.
27. Never waste an idea. Always have something nearby to write it down.
28. You can’t ignore one life principle by trying to live another
29. Don’t stop doing the right thing even when the wrong thing is receiving more celebration. That party won’t last.
30. A sweater may be old and ugly now, but one day everyone will want one just like it.
31. Often one’s perception is determined by his or her experiences — good or bad.
32. Habits form quickly.
33. You can have tons of “friends” until there is trouble in your life — then you’ll discover some real friends.
34. Big dreams rarely make it past our mind unless someone risks the chance that they could fail.
35. The little things we do often have more value than the big things.
36. Character is shaped by how we respond to life’s difficulties and life’s victories.
37. Genuine love is far more choice than it is emotion.
38. Recovery is often just on the other side of surrender.
39. People are the greatest investments.
40. Emotions should never be the sole indicator of decision-making.
41. Your reaction determines their reaction.
42. Never mistake the silence of God as the absence of God.
43. Everyone receives motivation through affirmation.
44. Seldom will you be 100% certain of a decision.
45. Solicited applause are seldom genuine.
46. The best opportunities seldom come wrapped neatly in a package with a bow on top. They usually come with work. Get your hands dirty work.
47. The best leaders are often the ones smart enough to get out of the way of smarter people.
48. Integrity does the right thing, regardless of whether it brings popularity.
49. Some of your greatest achievements will be what you inspired others to do.
50. If God is stretching you, it may be uncomfortable for a while, perhaps even hurt, but eventually you’ll love the new shape.
51. Always learning something new keeps your mind young and you’ll have less resistance to change.