A lot of people stress out about being 76. They are afraid to tell their age. They think it is the end and that 76 is really, really old. I remember when I thought that also. Today I think that 76 is the time I am really blossoming……A celebration of what has been… and what’s to come.

There was a time in my life when my birthday meant gifts, a party, special food, a cake Now? I don’t need gifts, parties don’t seem as important as they once did.

These days I view my birthday as a time to reflect. To take stock. To think about the past, and plan for the future—a future that has a very different tone and texture that it did in past years.

Each year I am alive, I have gained more wisdom and step more fully into my power.

I believe that my best is still ahead. I am not done yet……

“You can have everything you want in life, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” — Zig Ziglar

Insight #1 Discover and Cultivate Your Strengths:

Identifying and paying attention to our strengths can unlock the door to a more fun, energetic and successful life. Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. Discover your strengths- what you do best and love to do-and transform your life by realizing the best of you. When you know, and live from your strengths, the things you are good at, you can improve the way you do almost everything.

Insight #2 What Matters Most

Building a Fulfilling Life on the Foundations of Your Values You will discover how to use your values to make better choices, honor your true selves, and redirect your lives in ways that create new opportunities and greater levels of fulfillment. You’re a powerhouse. Let the world know, not by dominating others, but by honoring yourself.

Insight #3 Gratitude: Live Your Life as a Thank you

Imagine living as if each day were a gift. Studies show that gratitude is a key component for personal happiness. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude goes beyond giving thanks on holidays or for gifts. Have an attitude of gratitude; stop focusing on what you don’t have, and start focusing on what you do have. Celebrate every day.

Here are two of my favorite exercises:

Each night before bed, write down at least three things that went well today. By putting your gratitude into words, you increase appreciation and memory of your blessings.

Take a few minutes today to appreciate nature. Go for a walk and notice only those things that are beautiful. Whether you focus on the stars above, a distant mountain range, try to notice details. Give thanks for the beauty that surrounds you.

Insight #4 Give Back: Find your purpose and passion by volunteering & giving back.

People who give back choose hope over despair, optimism over cynicism, and cringe over indifference. By serving others they also help themselves, reporting that the biggest beneficiaries of their charitable activities are themselves!

Insight #5 Live a Purpose-driven Life

People often climb to the top of the mountain only to discover that they’ve climbed the wrong mountain, sometimes without really understanding how they got there. Don’t want to end up at the top of the wrong mountain? The key to getting to the right place is to know, fundamentally, who you are and what your life’s purpose is. There are lots of places to discover this.

Insight #6 You don’t need to become anyone, you don’t need to achieve anything; it’s ok to “Be.”

There’s nothing more powerful than being fully and authentically YOU.

Your greatest contribution to the world is simply being you. Fully, without shame or embarrassment…and definitely without holding back.

Insight #7: Self-Care

Make self-care a priority in your life. When you begin putting yourself first, you will have more energy, feel better about yourself, and enjoy better health. Taking care of yourself should be your #1 priority.

Insight # 8: Dream Big

Whether you already do or if you’re ready to step into that place, I invite you to think of a dream that will be a gift to the world—a dream that truly will touch, inspire, impact, and maybe even create a legacy open to the bigger dream.

Insight # 9: Believe in yourself

Our beliefs are our own opinions and judgments or the opinions and judgments we’ve inherited from others. But, for some strange reason, we often seem to forget we can choose them. In any given moment and in any given circumstance, we choose what we believe. If we choose a positive belief, we will move forward on our dreams. If we choose a limiting belief, then we simply won’t. This is how we get stuck and sabotage our goals.

Insight #10: Lifelong Learning is the Fountain of Life

Now that I am 75, I think I have found one of the greatest keys to the fountain of youth: Learning. I love learning.

Learning makes me feel like I am still an important part of this world. I’m not just a space holder, but really contributing to the world by continuing to better myself. It gives me more and more confidence. I am even learning to embrace technology.

Do you consider yourself to be a lifelong learner? What are you currently learning? Are you taking a class? Reading an interesting book? Traveling? Something else?

Thanks for reading!

I must admit, I’m writing this post as much for me as I am for you… this is my record of who I am and what I believe at this particular sliver of time.

Now go out there and Re-Fire, Re-Imagine, and Re-Invent Your Life!

What are YOUR biggest insights from being alive?

Leave a comment on my Blog, let me know, let’s enrich each other’s lives.