Advice to my 40 year old self From Myself at 80.

Realize the difference between who people are and who you want them to be and act accordingly. Forgive. 

Take care of your body. You need you and the people who care about you do, too. No use not honoring it each day in all its miraculous glory. Run when you still can, dance while you still can, marvel at the beauty of nature. 

Believe in yourself. 

Don't give up. Tenacity turns tides.

Have more fun. Yes, the world can be a cruel and sad place, but life is also we get to do, not that we have to do. That’s a critical but subtle way of looking at things that can change your orientation to everything.

Know who to let in and to keep out. Let others gain your trust first with their actions, not their words.

Open up. The walls that protect you also isolate you.

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bravery haiku:

If I think I can

I’ll be slogging through the waves;

time turns the tough tides.