Hi there! This is the 6th and final installment of the birthday series!

Here are the previous posts:

https://steemit.com/life/@nickelnerds/it-s-my-birthday-36-lessons-in-36-years-part-1

https://steemit.com/life/@nickelnerds/36-lessons-in-36-years-part-2

https://steemit.com/philosophy/@nickelnerds/36-lessons-in-36-years-part-3

https://steemit.com/life/@nickelnerds/36-lesson-in-36-years-part-4

https://steemit.com/life/@nickelnerds/36-lessons-in-36-years-part-5

For those of you who read the entire series – thanks for sticking around!

Getting older is unavoidable, you might as well make the most of it. It’s kind of cool to stop and recognize your own evolution. The last few lessons/statements are part of a personal philosophy I’ve developed over the years. They sum up my thoughts on character and reputation.

Be Good

Some people tie it to religion, or family values. Sometimes it comes from a culture, or a social group. “Good” means many things, but in all its forms it mostly boils down to not being a jerk.

Work Hard

@scandinavianlife shared a great piece about embracing discomfort today (https://steemit.com/life/@scandinavianlife/do-uncomfortable-things-to-get-ahead) and it reminded me of the importance of Working Hard. One funny thing about humans is we’re not very good at identifying what makes us happy. We tend to think a lifelong vacation would be perfect, but our nature won’t have it. Easy is depressing. Facing down a challenge gives us purpose, it engages the mind and gives us something to be proud of.

Find Fun

Life is full of mundane “things”; try to make the most of it. I like to make up little games, crack dumb jokes, give a clumsy high five. You have to find small ways to lighten the mood. There are times to be serious, but surely that’s not all the time, right? We grow up and stop playing; it’s kind of sad. I find I’m more creative and easygoing if I can settle into a little light-heartedness.

Have Heart

Intentional kindness is a skill you can obtain through practice. I’m a work in progress. I want to be the person you delivers a few words of encouragement at just the right moment; the one who shows up at the right time to be supportive. Someone who can give freely and without any expectations. These little actions add up to real life-changing motions.

That’s it! Thanks for reading all the way to the end!