Wake Up With Purpose!: What I've Learned in My First Hundred Years

by Jean Dolores Schmidt

I recently came upon an African proverb that said, “When an old person dies, a library closes.” I thought that was such a beautiful verse. And by that logic, if the old person is still living, that means the library is open, right?

That’s how it works with God. If you keep your faith, you never have to grow old.

There was an important lesson in there for me. Sometimes the most important part of love is showing up.

It’s important to help others be happy.

A dream without a plan is just a dream.

But I am quick to add that a dream without a plan is just a dream. Plans require action, and action requires persistence.

Sometimes you need to speak quietly to be heard.

Fear is a lousy motivator.

When you love what you do, it never really feels like work.

We need to be at least a little uncomfortable in order to grow.

Mark Twain said it best: “I have never let schooling interfere with my education.”

If you keep moving, eventually you’ll find your balance.

Life is a team sport.

The moment you let complacency set in, you’re done.

We can put on whatever costume we want, but God sees who we really are on the inside.

I like my computer, although I don’t like all those software updates when it seemed like things were working just fine.