Author Stephen Covey who wrote the popular book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, wrote: “There are three constants in life ... change, choice and principles.”
It’s a simple statement that creates great thought.
Such words of wisdom are an invaluable resource that are often shared or passed down to family and friends.
A group of Sooke seniors agreed to share small thoughts, pieces of life advice, or their keys to happiness with our readers.
Margaret Weir, 97
If you don’t use anything, it goes rusty. Keep going all you can. [Exercise] makes your circulation better, and if you knit or sew, it keeps your brain going. You’ve got all this time on earth, make the most of it.
Dan Gilbey, 70
Make sure to eat properly, not just at an older age, but as early on as possible. I ate too many sugars in my life and now I have Type 2 diabetes. It really hurts. A healthy lifestyle is important in the long run, and physical exercise helps without question.
May Anderson, 80
Value your family. They are the most important aspect in your life and you only get them once, so be sure to take care of them as much as possible.
Carol Pinalski, 78
Around 10 per cent of all you earn is yours to keep, so watch the pennies. The dollars will look after themselves.
Gail Gibley, 65
Get a cat. Or two. Learn to keep them inside your yard. I have four cats and three dogs. They’re like friends. Cats mellow you out, they calm your nerves down. They are some of the most mentally-therapeutic creatures around. Plus, it beats the heck out of talking to a wall.
Sheila Harper, 68
If you are feeling anxious or depressed, always ask for help, don’t just wait and suffer alone. There are people out there who want to help you and listen to you when you are worried and sad about life.
Maddy Chambers, 75
If you are old, you are not useless, and shouldn’t ever have to feel that way. Seniors have a lot to offer to their community because even at their age they can still do the things they want and support those they care about.
Heather MacKeigan, 60
Always live life to its fullest potential, because you never know when your time is up. Just live it while you still can.
Barry Gifford, 55
Don’t ever take anything you hear from one person completely out of context, look for the other side of the story. If you look hard enough, you’ll find there always is one.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com