50 Things I Learned in My First 50
Years, Part 1

A year ago this month, I turned 50 for the first and last time.  I vividly remember being a little kid and doing the math and figuring out how old I would be when we got to the 2000s, but 50 seemed like an eternity. Well, I made it. And for my 50th last year I went to an island and wrote in my journal and thought about where I’ve been and where I want to go next, and I made this list. Since I’m about to turn 51, I thought I’d revisit it. It’s still true for me! Hope you like it!

  1. Always trust your nose. Listen to it. Obey it.
  2. Hunger comes from many sources—rarely the need for food.
  3. Raising kids does not get easier as they grow up; it just gets more complicated.
  4. Always believe in love. ALWAYS.
  5. People will be mean. Don’t let it stop you.
  6. Being mean makes you feel crappy. Don’t do it.
  7. Find your happy place and go there often.
  8. There are all kinds of sex and all kinds of sexual pleasure, but there’s only one kind that is truly satisfying, and that’s true love sex. Don’t stop until you find it, and if you do, try not to let it go.
  9. Smile at everyone.
  10. If you can, send your kids to sleep-away camp. They will thank you forever.
  11. Demand Organic!
  12. God is in everything and everyone, everywhere. The sooner we all believe that, the quicker there will be world peace.
  13. There is no Satan.
  14. Books are the doorways to the universe.
  15. Make sure you have an awesome bed and you love it because you will be spending a lot of time in it sleeping, napping, reading, snuggling with kids, and hopefully, having great sex.
  16. Further. Always push further.
  17. Grudges take too much energy to maintain. Forgive and forget.
  18. All physical ailments are rooted in problems at the emotional, energetic, and spiritual level. The sooner you believe it and act on it, the faster and more fully you will heal.
  19. Seek the advice of experts.
  20. But know when it’s time to trust your own expertise.
  21. Never be afraid to create.
  22. Most of the stuff you read in the news and gossip magazines is made-up lies or just one perspective on a complicated situation. Be careful what you believe based on it.
  23. There are many different perspectives on any situation, and they are all valid to the people who hold those perspectives.
  24. Children are like seeds we plant. Our job is to nurture and protect them, but not to control or change them. A carrot will always be a carrot, and not a tomato.
  25. Cashmere is a gift from God. (And it’s OK to have a comfort item, even as a grown-up!)

Check back on Monday for the rest of my list. And share some of your life lessons on my Facebook page.

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21 Responses to 50 Things I Learned in My First 50
Years, Part 1

  1. Renee January 16, 2013 at 9:34 am #

    I love this list and especially #23. If everyone believed that – really believed that and acted accordingly – we’d be in a much better place.
    Happy anniversary of your 50th!

  2. Scott Edward Anderson January 16, 2013 at 10:53 am #

    You are an inspiration, Maria. Thank you for this post. In this, my 50th year, I will try to remember its wisdom. XO

  3. Susan Skidmore January 16, 2013 at 11:11 am #

    Maria,
    Thank you so much for sharing the nuggets of wisdom you have gathered on your journey. I LOVE IT!!!! I turned 50 in September . I am going to share your list with my 21 year old daughter and her friends.

  4. Donna in Delaware January 16, 2013 at 12:59 pm #

    I turned 50 five and a half years ago. It is not as devastating as people will have you to believe. In fact, it was a wonderful experience and a blessed event, considering some don’t make it out of infancy, and that many of my childhood and high school friends passed away years ago, some before the age of 30! In those years, one tends to learn much, good and bad, happy and sad, but hopefully taking the positive side of lifes lessons learned into the next 50 years of life. I agree with much of what you have stated above Maria, but as Renee said, number 23 hits the nail on the head. I am hoping that your next fifty years will be more rewarding, even through the rough times, for you, and also those closest to you. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

  5. Donna in Delaware January 16, 2013 at 1:10 pm #

    Since I am not a FACEBOOK person, I will share one thing with you all, that I hope you will take to heart. If you have a situation that you can do something about, then do it, if not, don’t worry about it. Don’t try to solve issues that you have absolutely no control over. It will eat you up and wear you out because of feeling guilty. Stop! Let it go! Don’t drive yourself crazy. Leave it to someone who CAN do something about it and move on. You’ll be better off for doing so. You’ll more than likely find out that it will get solved, with or without you.

  6. Roxana January 16, 2013 at 1:18 pm #

    Thank you very much for all your wisdom and sharing it. I love reading these type of words from people it makes me treasure what I have and look forward to life more deliberately. I choose my life and live it purposely. Thank you.

  7. Andrea January 16, 2013 at 2:50 pm #

    Yep… love & agree with them all (except #13… but it’s just a difference of opinion). 🙂

    Turning 50… I remember pondering at that point too. My girlfriend did a neat thing the month she turned 50… she “touched bases” either by meeting in-person or talking on the phone or emailing 50 people she had met in her lifetime. Some of the people she talked to she hadn’t seen or spoken with in 40 years. She said it was one of the most memorable things she had ever done in her lifetime. I felt fortunate to be one of those 50… but we just went out for supper, like we did every month. *ha-ha* I was an easy one-of-the-50 to find!

    –Andrea
    XOXOXO

  8. Val January 16, 2013 at 4:11 pm #

    I also agree with everything except #13. I do believe that Satan is present in this world and our recent experiences with school shootings is his work. We need to avoid Satan by focusing on all the other of your 24 items.

  9. Afroveda January 16, 2013 at 5:46 pm #

    I can’t agree with #13. Satan is real and his greatest weapon is deception.

  10. Toni January 16, 2013 at 6:14 pm #

    I will be 70 in 2014 and I am going to take this year to make my list. This is great! Thanks.

  11. Aubrey @ High-Heeled Love January 16, 2013 at 6:18 pm #

    I love this list and can’t wait to read part 2

  12. Fit Missy January 16, 2013 at 8:19 pm #

    A post I needed to read – thank you!

  13. maria (farm country kitchen) January 16, 2013 at 11:27 pm #

    You are all awesome. And for those who disagree about my views on Satan, please see #23! I’m glad you are all enjoying my list. Monday will be the rest of them…

  14. Kelly January 17, 2013 at 12:06 am #

    Thank you, Maria. I found your article on womenshealthmag.com, and you made some really important points that everyone can learn from. I am only 17; nevertheless, you can be sure that I will most certainly share this with my friends on Facebook. Looking forward to the second part of your article. 🙂

  15. alsia January 17, 2013 at 11:43 am #

    Thank you for your insightful wisdom and for sharing it with us. Sadly you have ignored the most important reason we exsist today…even more important than being kind to other’s. That being not believing there is an evil force, a very real entity called satan. He…..being the driving force behind all evil thing here on this planet you refuse to aknowledge. That leaves me to wonder if you beleive in God. Aside from that it was an insightful and interesting article.

  16. Colleen January 17, 2013 at 2:54 pm #

    This list brightened my day, as I can relate to many of them. #24 is my favorite. At times, I expect so much from my daughter (especially when it comes to school) and oftentimes need to take a step back and realize that she’ll grow and mature at her own pace. I really wouldn’t want her any other way!

  17. Angie January 18, 2013 at 12:18 pm #

    #9. Smile at everyone

    ^_^ that’s for you Maria!

  18. Sarah Stack January 21, 2013 at 3:26 pm #

    A fabulous list from a women who has earned her “wisdom wings”. Thanks for lifting us up!

  19. Emily January 23, 2013 at 1:18 pm #

    Satan is real and very scary. We are not sinlesss only God. We need God to save us.

  20. Elizabeth January 23, 2013 at 5:23 pm #

    I do not believe in Satan or in Hell. I believe the human race has created these entities as something to blame for things they do not understand or for things humans do by choice. God is a different concept, and contrary to popular sayings, one does not have to exist in order for the other to exist. Not all balances are obvious. The lists are a great idea, and might vary greatly with individual experiences. I appreciate many of the ideals stated.

  21. Victoria in Portland January 23, 2013 at 7:57 pm #

    Thus my #23: Great list Maria. Note, There is No “God”and No “Satan” they are fictional characters made up for people to use when trying to justify existence (labels, titles and reasoning) and experiences in this world. However, LOVE, NATURE and EARTH are very much real. They are equal to humans and should always be cherished, blessed and protected!

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