Someone who has seen a century of life has a little bit of advice to offer. Meet Andy Anderson, a 100-year-old great-grandpa who offers life lessons for how to live without regret. It’s safe to say that Andy has earned the place of advice guru.
While Andy did not attend college, he gained knowledge through life experience. After joining the Army Air Corps in WWII, Andy found himself at flight school in Texas where he was stationed for the remainder of the war. His time in Texas turned out to be a blessing as that is where he met his wife of 67 years, Carol.
“I met her on a Monday. We were eating 10-cent hamburgers when I proposed,” he said.
They were married the next weekend by the local Justice of the Peace. Andy quickly learned that there is such a thing as “love at first sight”. And he still believes firmly in it.
Working hard and being dependable helped Andy rise through the ranks and become the national dairy manager for Safeway stores. It was here that he gained the nickname “Mr. Cheese” which morphed into “Grandpa Cheese” at home and stuck with his family!
“I feel pretty good about getting older…I am still learning and experiencing new things everyday. You never stop learning. Age is not just a number, it’s a badge of all my life experiences,” he told Huffington Post.
Grandpa Cheese has a lot of life lessons for making it through with true success. Many of which include not taking yourself too seriously and learning from your experiences like this quote:
“Your life is delicate, and if you neglect yourself, you’ll spoil. That’s what cheese taught me.”
Here are our 13 Favorite Life Lessons From A 100-Year-Old Grandpa:
13. Always maintain a good sense of humor.
Life might throw some curve balls. Look for the humor to get you through those bumps!
12. Never be too good to start at the bottom.
Everyone has to start somewhere. Those who are willing to work hard and help the team are the ones who end up with the best experiences and skills in the long run.
11. Exercise every single day, even when you don’t feel like it.
The secret to a great life is to keep moving!
10. Having a bad job is better than having no job at all.
That unpleasant job is still paying the bills and building up your resume! Refer to #1 and look for the humor in the situation.
9. Eat around the mold; don’t go wasting food.
This is sage advice in the form of a metaphor. Much like “life gives you lemons”, don’t take what you have for granted.
8. Your family is the most precious thing you will ever have in life.
Savor every moment and never let your other commitments get in the way of family. At the end of the road, family is what remains.
7. Don’t ever be afraid to be your true self.
Be proud of your quirks! Add a little flavor to the conversation and enjoy sharing your strengths and weaknesses with others!
6. You must be able to forgive, even if it’s difficult to do.
Holding a grudge can eat away at your health, friendships, and joy. Be willing to offer forgiveness and move on from the situation.
5. Don’t spend more money than you make.
Have a budget and stick to it. It’s easy to charge everything but before long those loaned accounts can build up.
4. Love is not always easy; sometimes you have to work at it.
If you have a special person to share life with, don’t take them for granted. The initial spark may fade, but you have to work to keep the candle lit! It takes effort to stay connected and keep finding common interests.
3. Make sure you’re doing what you love; don’t be afraid to follow those dreams you have for yourself.
We all have a choice in life to pursue hopes, dreams, and hobbies that keep us smiling. Choose wisely what you chase after and life will be full of joy!
2. Have common sense. Think about the most reasonable answer to every situation. If you don’t have common sense, you’re a bust.
This one is so true! It’s always best to take a moment to think through the solution and try to use your head.
1. Life is a gift that you must unwrap. It’s up to you to determine if what’s inside will lead you to happiness or dismay. You have the power to make that decision for yourself.
Remember the “choose your ending” books? What if you determined that what life has to offer is like one of those books?
We think these 13 life lessons from “Grandpa Cheese” are so important to navigating through what life has to offer. It’s pretty safe to say that Andy Anderson might know a thing or two about having a successful stab at it!
h/t: PopSugar
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