If the flux capacitor inside the Delorean was real and I could travel back in time, I would visit my younger self and make sure to hand off the following article titled:
: The No. 1 key to a happier, longer life—‘that younger people don’t’ know, according to the oldest and ‘wisest’ Americans. Spoiler: the #1 key is this golden quote: “Time is finite, don’t spend it regretting things.” Pure gold. So, so, so, true.
Now, it’s incredibly rare that I agree completely with advice from any article, but these five things listed for younger people are, indeed, critically awesome pieces of advice that every young person should read and try to adapt as soon as possible into their lives:
According to the older adults Pillemer interviewed, these are the most valuable things you can do with your time:
1. Say things now to people you care about — whether it’s expressing gratitude, asking for forgiveness, or getting information.
2. Spend the maximum amount of time with your parents and children.
3. Savor daily pleasures instead of waiting for “big-ticket items” to make you happy.
4. Work in a job you love.
5. Choose your mate carefully; don’t just rush in.
Let’s take these one by one.
1. Say things now to people you care about – whether it’s expressing gratitude, asking for forgiveness, or getting information
Who hasn’t wished they could say something to someone that is no longer around. People move away, seemingly disappear from life and, worse, die. The time to make something right with something wrong involving someone else can be extremely limited. This means not waiting for the “right time” – it means taking action as soon as possible. These two magic words “thank you” can never be used enough.
2. Spend the maximum amount of time with your parents and children.
Gaming has been a part of my life, and a huge part of our children and now grandchildren’s life. Gaming seems to be one of the few things that doesn’t really have an age limit to it. Given, we don’t all enjoy the same games, but it’s spending time together. Gaming in our family has been a huge part of keeping everybody together. I’ll forever be grateful to gaming and as I’ve entered the downspiral of time in my life, meaning I’m closer to death than having more years to live, spending more time with our children and grandchildren is even more important. Recently, our oldest son and I decided to spend part of Saturdays playing pinball, for example. I work, although not directly, with our middle son, so that leaves our youngest son, who we both spend the least time with. We do spend more time with his children, our grandchildren, than he does, however, so there’s that.
As for parents, neither of can do much any more with that as both of my parents (I think) are gone. My dad disappeared years ago, off the radar, he got married and just poof, gone. Think he’s dead. My mother died in the 90s and sadly, never got to see her great grandchildren. She would have loved every second of being around and with them.
3. Savor daily pleasures instead of waiting for “big-ticket items” to make you happy.
Again, applying this to gaming, but it works on other levels: if you can’t afford the new game that just came out, don’t worry, you aren’t missing out! There are plenty of games, including many, many, many completely free to play games to enjoy. Pinball? Want to own a new Stern pinball but they are too expensive? Instead, find a business that has one and make planned trips to play instead. You’re helping a local business and you’ll enjoy not having to worry about the maintenance involved in repairing when it breaks down. Note: all pinball machines break down in one way or another eventually.
4. Work in a job you love.
Have been fortunate to enjoy most of the jobs I’ve done through life, but am most happiest with my current job. My wife has been at her current job for the better part of 13 years. We owned our own business for 20 years, which was not always so much fun, but did give us a lot of flexibility when our children were younger so we could spend more time with them (#2). So, in that regard, totally agree with this one.
5. Choose your mate carefully; don’t just rush in.
My wife and I just celebrated 34 years married in September 2023. Definitely take this one to heart, but it’s easier said than done for others, I realize. Too many people are getting divorced or never married at all these days. It takes a little work, and magic, to find that special someone. If you’re a hardcore gamer, and many reading this probably are, then it’s important to find a significant other that at least likes some games and gaming. Our children and grandchildren grew up with gaming, and if your children will do the same, then your partner needs to be on board.