As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor
9. Why Become A Mentor?

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.
8. Find A Mentor

“Why did you decide to become a mentor?”

As I was approaching fifty years old I sought the wisdom of my elders. I sought out men and women older than I was to learn lessons on life that they had been learning.

Last Monday I began a series entitled A Treasure Chest Of Wisdom, including:

1. Don’t Hold Grudges
2. Take Care Of Your Health.
3. Compassion Makes Sense and Giving Is Better Than Taking
4. Greed Gains Momentum
5. Gratitude Leads To Contentment
6. Contentment Leads To Generosity
7. Everyone Splashes. Splash Blessings.

A Mentor

Find a mentor for life who will help you think through important life decisions.

This week I was asked several times about turning fifty.

I was asked by twenty-somethings who now realized that I was twice as old as them. The gap that seemed more about experience than age now felt a little different.

I was asked by thirty-somethings who wondered aloud how old fifty seemed, but asked silently, “What will I be like when I’m fifty?” 

Turning 20

Twenty was the year I was going to school full-time, and working full-time, but I was spinning my wheels. When I turned twenty I had yet to make some healthy changes in my life, and the future didn’t look bright.

I turned 50 today.

Before this year I never though much about fifty. 

As I look back, look within, and look forward I feel grateful.

– Grateful for all those who carried me in the past

– Grateful for all those who support me, encourage me and follow my example.

– Grateful for all the great role models who travel ahead of me.

God reminds us, “In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other. ‘God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.’ ” [1 Peter 5:5, NCV]

I’m ten days away from turning 50!
Fifty?!?
50!
It seems almost surreal. 

When I was in elementary school I fantasized about heroically saving a classmate.

When I was in junior high I fantasized about being the kind of guy who could get a great girlfriend.

When I was in high school I fantasized about having a perfect sexual relationship.

When I was dating Amy I fantasized about having a perfect marriage.

When we had our kids I fantasized about being a perfect parent.

I wanted it all.

Mark Gregston’s Tough Guys and Drama Queens is written to help parents help their teens by providing a harbor through the storms of life.

Gregston states that, “When it comes to parenting, it’s not about us. It’s about our kids. Our parenting should not be a display of effort to try to be recognized as parent of the year, but ours should be lives filled with actions that teach our kids how to develop discernment, moral values, and compassion for the world around them. Mom and dads, your teens don’t need more friends; they need a parent. They need a close relationship with someone who is determined to teach them how to survive in a world where responsibility is an essential character trait.”