6 Observations on my 63rd birthday

It's my 63rd birthday and I don't feel a day over 59. These birthdays come and go, but I've reached the point in life where I've learned that each day is as precious as the next.

But still,  birthdays make me reflective.I thought I'd share some of the thoughts that have come to me as this particular birthday approaches.

1. Stay curious.  Watch a baby for a while, any baby. There is a miracle in his or her fascination with everything--thumbs, a shadow, a mustache singing. Cling to this curiosity through life.  Without curiosity there is no discovery.  Without discovery, you start growing old fast. Those who adopt a "been there-done that" grow old rapidly from not going anywhere new.

2. The 10% factor. I've lived some of life in prosperity and some of it in poverty. I've met people of different religions, nationalities, philosphies, political beliefs.  Ninety percent of the people, I have encountered want to do the right thing most of the time.  They want to help when they can, share what they have. The other 10 percent are assholes.  The percentage remains constant across all social, cultural, political, ethnic, geographic and age boundaries. Sometimes you have to live with them in business, in your neighborhoods or sitting next to you in an airplane. Endure them for they cannot be avoided.

3. Life is a limited time only deal.  There just isn't going to be time to do everything you might want to do in life so choose wisely.  Seemingly minor choices may alter your life's course.  Have fun with life. Avoid the tedious.  Habits can make you too comfortable, so every now and then break them just to see what happens.

4. Disruption is more interesting than incumbency. I have outlived the eras in which conventional wisdom complacently knew that IBM, DEC, HP, Microsoft, Google and the old AT&T were too entrenched and too powerful to be disrupted by some upstart entrepreneur.
The nature of innovation makes it the domain of entrepreneurs, most of them young and most of them clueless about what they were up against. I have spent the bulk of my professional life working with startups and I thank them for a wonderful ride along the edges of innovation.

5. Be useful and generous. These two words are much more closely connected than you would think. I have benefited greatly from being generous. Companies that are the most generous to their customers have the most loyal customers and there is power and ROI in that.  It seems to me almost impossible to not gain more from giving than by taking. The worst feeling that I know is when I see a situation that i care about and i am useless to help.

6.  Exercise is a medicine. I was 40 pounds heavier when I learned I had diabetes over 20 years ago. I learned that exercise is something that you must have time for.  If you do not take the time to exercise when you are young, you will lose that time later in your life and you will regret it.

7. Take risks. Don't let life pass you by, by letting life pass you buy. Jump in and scare yourself every now and then. Risks let you know you are alive and memories become your most valuable possession if you are lucky enough to  reach a certain age, or so I am told.
But taking risks is not the same as doing boneheaded things.

8. Be wary of the morally superior. People who believe their way is superior to your way, probably will allow the most awful things to happen to other humans who live by other creeds, or worse, they will make them happen.

9. Laugh. If you do not see the irony and humor in most situations, you may be looking at it from the wrong perspective. There is much to bring joy into your life.  If you are missing it, step to the side a couple of paces and then maybe you'll see it.

Comments

[Weave]

Shel, these are great observations! But two things:

Aren't there 9 of them instead of 6 of them?

And secondly: are you sure it's not a 40% Factor? That's been my experience. Of course, I may draw them to me somehow... :)

[Weave]

By the way....happy birthday.

[Pat Phelan]

Happy birthday Shel, be seeing you soon :-)

[Ethan Bodnar]

Great words of wisdom, Shel.
Happy BIrthday!

[Joseph Thornley]

Happy birthday #63 Shel. With the exchange factor, in Canadian years, you're really only 42! Best wishes for many more. :-)

[Justin Thorp]

Happy Birthday Shel!

[shel israel]

Eric,

I added three, then I forgot. It happens at my age.

Joe,
You have the exchange rate mixed up. If I move to Canade, I'm 116 years old.

[Andrew]

Happy birthday, Shel. I spend a lot of time watching and chasing my baby and my almost-4-yo, and I don't usually feel a day over 59 either...

[Jamie Notter]

Wow. These are really beautiful. Thanks for sharing them.

[Joseph A. di Paolantonio]

Happy Birthday Shel. I hope that you don't bump into any of the 10% today. I still owe you lunch at Pasta Moon; let me know when you want to collect.

[Geoff Livingston]

Mazl tov. Happy birthday.

[Damien Mulley]

6 tips and 3 bonus ones for the 63rd birthday. Not 9 :) Makes sense. Happy Birthday Shel! I know you've mentioned your age before but I'm still shocked. Thought you were much younger. It's all about the swagger though. Thanks for the wise words too.

[Bruce Curley]

Funny thing, that...my birthday today as well.

You've done a great "Poor Richard's Almanac" of life-giving and life-living tips.

It's too late to send a card, but here is a link to "Ocean" a poem of mine that Blue Ocean Institute just published that is in the same vein as your post which you might enjoy.
http://www.seastories.org/estival2007/entries/curley.html

[Jim Minatel]

Happy Birthday Shel! Excellent words of wisdom. I'd like to pick a favorite but they're all great.

[Kate Monro]

Happy Birthday Shel, all the way from rainy, windy London!!
x Kate M

[jasbinder]

Many Happy returns Shel - keep reaching!

[KDPaine]

Happy Birthday! But aren't we supposed to give YOU gifts, not the other way around. This post is truly a gift. I have it printed out and hanging over my desk. Great reminders about what is important. Thank you. If I could figure out how to send you a fresh blueberry pie from the farm, i would. It will just have to wait till you're here. Hope you have a great one.

[Fred]

Deal with the assholes at sendahole.com.

[Maui Girl]

What a great post! Thanks so much for your insight. I'll print this out and keep it.