Dear Readers,

When I got the invitation to participate in ninetyandnine.com’s “Top Ten” issue, I was delighted to add my own two cents’ worth. (Of course, back in my day, you could buy a lot for two cents!)

My Top 10 covers the principles I’ve patterned my life after for the past century. Since I’ve already written about each of these principles in my columns over the past few years, you’ll be able to click over to the columns and read each of the stories.

With that in mind, I hope you enjoy…

Gabby’s Top Ten Principles For Life

God promises most of us 70 years (and some of us are blessed with much more than that!). You’ve heard the saying, “Stop and smell the roses?” That means to live each day to its fullest—not being so concerned about your tomorrows.  Of course it’s important to make plans and to prepare for the future, but in the meantime, enjoy the place you are—even if, like me, it’s in a retirement community.

9) Authority is a “God idea” and He wants you to be in submission to the leadership in your life.

Whether it’s your parents, when you’re in their household, or your pastor or your boss, smart people choose to submit to the God-given authority in their life.

It doesn’t matter what the people around us are doing.  If something is right, that’s all that matters. Right should be done—just because it’s right. On the other hand, if something is wrong, it doesn’t matter that every other person in the entire world is doing it, it shouldn’t be done—because it’s wrong!

Happiness is all about where we’re focusing.  Everyone, no matter how difficult their life is, has much to be thankful for and thankful people tend to be happy people.

Anyone can wallow in self-pity about the sad aspects of their life, however, young folks who really want to make a difference in this world will move beyond the negatives and go out there and really live each day to the fullest!

Don’t be in a hurry to get married. If you take your time and choose wisely, you can have a wonderful and rewarding life—just like my dear Harry and I had for 52½ years.

(This isn’t really a principle, it’s just something I wanted young people to understand.)

I didn’t realize this when I used to see the decrepit old geezers of my grandparents’ generation, but the older I’ve grown (and now I’m really, really old!), the more I realize that on the inside, I’m the same Gabby I’ve always been—excited about the future, afraid at times, and even intrigued by (gasp!) the opposite sex!  I mostly wrote about honoring your father in this column, but interspersed in that story was proof that my heart still flutters when I’m in the presence of a handsome gentleman.

God doesn’t usually share His plans with us, but when we’re struggling with circumstances in our life, it’s very reassuring to realize that He knows what His ultimate plan is.  I wrote about this principle right after September 11^th.

2) Sometimes you just have to bear the pain.

When sad things happen in our lives (and they always do, sooner or later), we only have one real choice—to bear it.

1) It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it that really matters.

The sooner we realize that we can only control ourselves and our own reactions, and not anyone else’s, the sooner we’ll be able to calm our anxiety about the direction our life has taken and we’ll be able to move towards the overcoming life God has planned for us.

Sincerely Sincere,

Gabby

© 2006, ninetyandnine.com

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Gabrigail VanBurden has been offering advice for longer than most of you have been alive. Email your practical Apostolic life questions to Gabby@ninetyandnine.com and be prepared for some straight answers!