Yahoo News 'I'm 72-years-old - you only need to remember 32 things to live a happy life'
While everyone wishes to live a happy and healthy life into old age, not everybody knows how to achieve this. However, one 72-year-old, named Louie, claims you only need to remember 32 things to make sure you get the most out of life - and they don't take much effort.
Taking to Reddit, Louie said: "I turned 72 today. Here are 32 things I've learnt that I hope help you with your journey. If you're lucky enough to get up to my age, the view becomes more clear. It may seem like nothing good is happening to you, or just the opposite. Both will probably change over time.
"I'm still working (fractionally), and posting here, because business and people are my mojo. I hope you find yours." Starting his list, Louie reminds people to spread kindness everywhere they go, saying "It's usually better to be nice than right". Following this, he says you should always be the first person to smile - and remind yourself about the positive things in your life when you're feeling down.
When it comes to your career, he claims working 7am to 7pm doesn't create productivity and instead is a reflection of guilt. Within this, he urges people to work on their passion projects, adding: "To be really successful, become useful."
Louie's list in full:
It's usually better to be nice than right.
Nothing worthwhile comes easy.
Work on a passion project, even just 30 minutes a day. It compounds.
Become a lifelong learner (best tip).
Working from 7am to 7pm isn't productivity. It's guilt.
To be really successful, become useful.
Like houses in need of repair, problems usually don’t fix themselves.
Envy is like drinking poison expecting the other person to die.
Don't hold onto your "great idea" until it's too late.
People aren't thinking about you as much as you think.
Being grateful is a cheat sheet for happiness. (Especially today.)
Write your life plan with a pencil that has an eraser.
Choose your own path or someone will choose it for you.
Never say, I'll never…
Not all advice is created equal.
Be the first one to smile.
The expense of something special is forgotten quickly. The experience lasts a lifetime. Do it.
Don't say something to yourself that you wouldn't say to someone else.
It's not how much money you make. It's how much you take home.
Feeling good is better than that "third" slice of pizza.
Who you become is more important than what you accomplish.
Nobody gets to their deathbed and says, I'm sorry for trying so many things.
There are always going to be obstacles in your life. Especially if you go after big things.
The emptiest head rattles the loudest.
If you don’t let some things go, they eat you alive.
Try to spend 12 minutes a day in quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer.
Try new things. If it doesn’t work out, stop. At least you tried.
NEVER criticise, blame, or complain.
You can’t control everything. Focus on what you can control.
If you think you have it tough, look around.
It's only over when you say it is.
One hand washes the other and together they get clean. Help someone else.
Adding to Louie's list, one impressed user said: "I'm 60. And I would only add two things to this list. 1. Learn to control your expectations. Misplaced expectations cause more problems than people think. 2. Learn to control your emotions. If you don't, someone else always will. Thank you Lou. Your effort on this list is a thing of beauty."
Another user added: "At 47 I've learned that being kind is a bit of a superpower. It's always good to make someone else feel seen and heard. Happy birthday Louie! I hope it's a great one." A third user said: "Number 18 really hit me hard, i’ve never heard that one before. I'd like to add to the list and say that it’s impossible to please everyone so don’t get too upset if someone doesn't like you."
