An analysis of its projects shows that the top five life lessons shared by people ages 65 to 104 are:
- <LI class=textList>The simple things matter most. <LI class=textList>Humor and time cure most pains. <LI class=textList>There's more satisfaction in giving than getting. Service to others is the most satisfying activity. <LI class=textList>Choose your spouse carefully. It will be your most important decision.
- Work hard and in a field or role that you enjoy.
- <LI class=textList>It shows that you don't have to be a president or a superstar to leave a legacy of experience and wisdom to impart. All life experience counts...and the "ordinary" experiences seem to count most. <LI class=textList>It's a nice playbook on how to live life. <LI class=textList>It makes a handy template, or at least a starting point, for possible insights to explore with your loved ones about their own life discoveries. <LI class=textList>I love any reminder in any form that includes the message "humor helps."
- Not least, it should make anyone who's a caregiver feel pretty good. According to these elders, the odds are good that you'll one day look back on your caregiving as a rewarding part of your life: Simple things (and by extension, simple deeds, simple gifts) matter. Service to others is the most satisfying activity.
