At the end of the year, I like to look back at the lessons I learned—they are always plentiful. I like to challenge the adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This old dog loves learning new tricks! When the learning stops, my quality of life is greatly diminished.

Here are 22 things I learned in 2022:

1. When manifesting, an important ingredient is happy, excited energy.

2. Grandchildren are the light of my life.

3. Every day is a gift after my heart incident in June.

4. It’s really true that you can’t please everyone, but you can do what you think is right while remaining flexible.

5. Don’t take your body for granted. Intentionally move it daily for the best outcomes.

6. No one person can be your everything. You need different people for different needs.

7. Sometimes, when people are hurting, what they need is for someone to simply sit with them in their pain so they are not alone.

8. Music is a universal language that can be used when words fail us.

9. Not everyone wants Mental Freedom. Sometimes, remaining a victim seems like a person’s best option.

10. There is something very special about childhood girlfriends that were with you through the crazy drama of your teenage years that newer friends can’t compare to.

11. Following your dreams can be a long, challenging journey but not nearly as long and challenging as ignoring them.

12. If you want to influence others, it’s important to have friends of different ages so you can understand what’s important to their generation.

13. Perception plays a huge role in understanding difference. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong, but rather about making room for multiple perspectives to be right.

14. Every single person on the planet is doing the best they can to get what they want in any given moment.

15. Success is not about what you have accumulated or the things you have done. Success is about the moments you were able to be the person you want to be.

16. Being famous is not the pinnacle. Doing what you were meant to do to help others is what’s important.

17. The only good thing in your comfort zone is security and safety. Everything else exists outside that zone. Hone your ability to act despite your fear.

18. When people have let you down, pets will help you find your way back to love.

19. Electronics expose people to a wealth of information: some true, some not; some important, some not. Time with electronics takes us away from the real relationships in our lives. Spend your time wisely.

20. When you accept and celebrate the people in your life rather than trying to change them, everyone will be happier.

21. When you get in touch with why you do the things you believe you must do, you’ll never have to do anything again.

22. Traveling, by itself, will not help you be more cultured. Getting involved with a different culture, including the people, their food and their customs will.

Please share something you learned this year. Thank you!