Ode to a time gone by

The flutters inside
the tears i cried
the miles we walked
the hours we talked
the pain you caused
the smiles you brought
the hands that held
the hurt you felt
here lie the tokens of the times that froze
when we lay by the shores
the songs we sang
the stories they began
the eyes that bore
the thoughts of yore
oh were those the days!

What i learnt in a score and some years.......

The 27th birthday hangs ominously in the background. Minutes before the move from the mids to the late twenties.Its funny how much change the 20s can take .One second you are the dewy eyed , green-behind-the-ears fledgling and the next the seasoned experient doling out your two cents worth on work,love,life and what have you to all and sundry. Anyway i digress .The theme here is lessons the previous decade had to offer.

1. You already have everything you need.
2. I have read enough war stories by now to know that things like taking a walk in the park, reading your favorite book, sipping orange juice and having someone to love are precious and not to be taken for granted.
3. Its a good thing to introspect once in a while. It has the power to turn a thick skinned ,pig headed soul around.
4. Most tiffs arise over trivial matters.
5. Its wiser sometimes to keep quite than than play the smart alec.
6. Lots of guys will call you pretty.That does not determine who you are.
7. None of the self help books will make sense unless you help yourself.
8. The movie "Shawshank Redemption" taught me everything there was to know about perseverance and planning .(and many other things but these two will do for now.)
9. Its not how much you make but what you do with what you make that will determine your wealth.
10. Talking about wealth, don't begrudge the wealthy.Most people make it the hard way.
11. When picking vegetables, pick the best looking ones.8 times out of 10,you won't go wrong.
12. People don't change people.Circumstances do.
13. Children of the household where friends and guests are always welcome grow up to become pleasant beings.
14. Stole, handbag, kajal, lipstick - a girl must always carry off these very well.
15. Have a hobby and life will never be a bore.
16. Crosswords, Sudokus and other puzzles. Solving them keeps the smarts going.