While you have the privilege of life on this earth-and it is a privilege, in spite of unceasing problems-you should live. You should live, whether you are 16 or 65. Naturally, older age requires a person to place sensible limits on his or her physical capabilities. When you are older, you can't run around like a young kid. Yet the older person has qualities that the child or adolescent hasn't even begun to develop.

In older age, each day can be thrilling. It's really up to the individual. It's up to you. Still, if you are over 65 and have already wasted time moping, stop blaming yourself. You're not perfect, no one is, and self-blame will not help you. You must have self-respect as long as you live. So live creatively every day of your life.

When Pablo Casals reached 95, a young reporter threw him a question, "Mr. Casals, you're 95 and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you practice six hours a day?"

Mr. Casals answered, "Because I think I'm making progress."

Make that your goal. Make a little progress every day of your life.

It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded. 

If the meek inherit the earth, so be it. We just hope they stay meek after they get it.

In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

During my second year of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the janitor who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how could I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. 

Negotiations Can Sometimes Go Too Far
Example: A businessman, fishing in the far north, reeled in a silver trout. Silver trout are magic. This one said, "I'll die out of the water. Tell me your three wishes, throw me back, and I'll grant them for you."
"I want six wishes," said the businessman.
"I don't have that much power," gasped the silver trout, "tell me your three wishes quickly!"
"I'll settle for four wishes. Four is the lowest I'll go."
"Please," gulped the silver trout. "I'm slipping away. I can only do three wishes. Say what you want and I'll grant them."
"All right," said the man, "You win, but you must grant the wishes before I throw you back. Will you agree to that?" But there was no response. The silver trout lay quietly on the floor of the boat dead.

To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.