Now that I am closer to 40 than I am to 30, I look back and wish I would have done at least five things in my previous decade. Hopefully you young twentysomethings out there will do these five things and find yourself in a better position when YOU are 38. I wish I would have:
1. Bought stocks. The best time to invest money is in the early twenties so that it can grow with compound interest over the years. The problem? I HAD no money in my early twenties. But, I look at finances now and wish I would have foregone some of the luxuries I felt I had to have and bought stocks. Lesson learned.
2. Worn sunscreen. I'm now having to have pre-cancerous spots treated every year because I thought sunscreen was "stupid." When my mom reminded me that I could get skin cancer when I was 40, I said, "Well, by the time you're forty, your life is pretty much over anyway, so who cares?" Sigh.
3. Found a mentor. I've had to figure out most of ministry on my own, not because there weren't willing people ready to help, but because I didn't want to listen to anyone. Now I am just figuring things out at age 38 that people could have easily shown me at age 23.
4. Written more. I have no real recollection of my children's early years. They were such a blur, and we were literally holding on hour to hour. Now that my kids are approaching the teenage years, I would really like to know what thoughts go on at each stage of fatherhood. I also would like a record of my walk with Christ- my understanding of theology, Scripture, and who God is.
5. Become a Navy Seal. Well, maybe not, but it would have still been cool.
1. Bought stocks. The best time to invest money is in the early twenties so that it can grow with compound interest over the years. The problem? I HAD no money in my early twenties. But, I look at finances now and wish I would have foregone some of the luxuries I felt I had to have and bought stocks. Lesson learned.
2. Worn sunscreen. I'm now having to have pre-cancerous spots treated every year because I thought sunscreen was "stupid." When my mom reminded me that I could get skin cancer when I was 40, I said, "Well, by the time you're forty, your life is pretty much over anyway, so who cares?" Sigh.
3. Found a mentor. I've had to figure out most of ministry on my own, not because there weren't willing people ready to help, but because I didn't want to listen to anyone. Now I am just figuring things out at age 38 that people could have easily shown me at age 23.
4. Written more. I have no real recollection of my children's early years. They were such a blur, and we were literally holding on hour to hour. Now that my kids are approaching the teenage years, I would really like to know what thoughts go on at each stage of fatherhood. I also would like a record of my walk with Christ- my understanding of theology, Scripture, and who God is.
5. Become a Navy Seal. Well, maybe not, but it would have still been cool.
Now that 60 has gone by I look back and share some of your feelings. Being smarter with my money would have been a great idea. Sunscreen would have been a good idea. Having a mentor definitely! I have no children to write about but wish I had recorded some of the things I have seen and people I've met. Navy Seal...I don't think so. Believe me, getting shot at is not all that much fun.
ReplyDeleteBy the way...glad you are having a thought everyday. I can cut down my thinking to maybe once a week.