Mistakes I made as a young man

[raljr1]

1. Not saving money as early as I should have. (not easy when raising a family at 20, but I could have saved something.

2. Not learning about investing.

3. Not keeping cars for more than a year or two.

4. Not getting my degree until I was 52.

5. Changing residences too frequently. (not military, but have lived in 13 or 14 homes)

6. Buying generic canned vegetables for the family and ALPO for the dog.

7. Working two jobs to qualify for a mortgage.

8. Putting my finger in that machine in 1978.

9. Not spending enough time in the woods.

10. Not buying for $200 the Model 29 that a friend offered me in 1978. ( He later took his own life, not sure if this is what he used.)

11. Not saving that life.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The mistakes I made early on would comprise a 5 volume set.

 

[moralem]

70 years in and I am still making those mistakes…….i suspect one of those mistakes will do me in…..

 

[SMSgt]

Everyone has crosses to bear.

 

[coltle6920]

Doing something wrong because you didn't know better is a learning experience. Doing it twice is a mistake.

Our youth is better looked back at for the good times than stewing over what might have been.

 

[Rudi]

Been there done that got the flak jacket.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Everyone has crosses to bear.

Or bears to cross if he's really unlucky.

 

[Chuck24]

Entered the PCH Sweepstakes, letters in the mail every day then later endless E- mails that went on for years.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Oh my gosh. I have a barrel full. Not too many more I hope.

 

[Onomea]

Raljr1, like all above say, we all got plenty of bad decisions behind us. But, we are the lucky ones, lookin' back, whose lives have worked out well anyway.

So many, you know, fell behind, from bad luck, misfortune, or also, i think, not being raised to learn the skills and values to recover from screw ups.

Lucky, blessed, to be where I am, all these years later.

 

[robvious]

all my mistakes made me who I am.. and, though it took a while, I kinda like me... not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but like those old shoes.. broken in and comfortable, only slightly smelly and don't pay any attention to the scrapes and scuffs, they will buff out if I need to go anywhere fancy...

 

[Lonegle57]

Am 67 at the moment. Realized a long time ago nobody is perfect. To me it is smart to learn from my mistakes and a waste of time to do them again. I step outside often and am amazed at where I am in life, 25 years ago never thought I would be where I am. Down the path of life had to step around,wade thru and once swim thru the mud puddles that came up. Also realized if any mistakes had not occured I wouldnt be where I am now in life. I wouldnt change any of the tough times and cant, the past is what it is.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Some of the mistakes I made, they don't make anymore.
I should've gone to trade school sooner. We thought the steel industry would last forever. HA!!!
Lawyers at certain points in my life fixed some of my mistakes. One fight I got into (I was a few decades younger), had I known he was gonna press charges I would've definitely got my money's worth!
Hindsight is 20-20, so they say...
My life turned out pretty good, especially since my present marriage back in '98.

 

[fordson]

If I could only re-visit my younger self and impart what I have learned in my 76 years, I would have made few mistakes along the way. The problem is, I doubt that I'd even listen to myself. If only the good Lord would give me a second chance, I could make someone special to me a bit happier…….

 

[Retired W4]

In the circles I ran in as a young man you would be put in the "Light Weight" category of mistake makers. I can say that without fear as the statute of limitations have expired.

 

[jem102]

Raljr1, like all above say, we all got plenty of bad decisions behind us. But, we are the lucky ones, lookin' back, whose lives have worked out well anyway.

So many, you know, fell behind, from bad luck, misfortune, or also, i think, not being raised to learn the skills and values to recover from screw ups.

Lucky, blessed, to be where I am, all these years later.

All of you have covered the list well and I am guilty as charged. I think Onomea is on the right path with his statement in bold above. I wish I had accepted Christ way earlier in my life and followed the Spirit's direction better... At 73 I have learned a lot and changed, hopefully for the better, but have damaged some lives along the way. Mostly my own. As one of my mentors stated; "It is what it is, action cures fear and regret. So move it brother."

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention.

This is a common lament of old men (and women). It helps to know that we are not alone in these thoughts. otherwise they WILL eat you alive.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I started my own list. Then I ran out of paper, went and bought some more. Then I ran out of ink, went and bought new pens. Then I got a cramp in my writing hand.

I probably won't be finished with this project for a while.

 

[SweetMK]

1. Not saving money as early as I should have. (not easy when raising a family at 20, but I could have saved something.

2. Not learning about investing.

3. Not keeping cars for more than a year or two.

4. Not getting my degree until I was 52.

5. Changing residences too frequently. (not military, but have lived in 13 or 14 homes)

6. Buying generic canned vegetables for the family and ALPO for the dog.

7. Working two jobs to qualify for a mortgage.

8. Putting my finger in that machine in 1978.

9. Not spending enough time in the woods.

10. Not buying for $200 the Model 29 that a friend offered me in 1978. ( He later took his own life, not sure if this is what he used.)

11. Not saving that life.

Some people tell me I am "LUCKY",,,,

in response to the OP,,

1)
In 1974, I took a class called "Engineering Economy",,
the main gist of that class was "The Time Value Of Money"

2)
see 1) above

3)
In 1984 we bought an Oldsmobile Delta 88,,that lasted until we bought a 1994 Honda Accord,, a car that REALLY lasted a long time,,
(in 1999, I bought a Chevrolet truck,, and I still drive it)

4)
After the US Navy, I got my degree at age 29

5)
I have been living in this house since 1982

6)
See #1 above if you need the answer to this one,,

7)
Paid off the home I am in now,, in 1987

8)
Yea, I had accidents,, cut the tendon going to my left pinky while putting steel roofing on my shed that I built,, accidents happen,, I got stitches,, the pinky still works.

9)
I own 40 acres,, I was in the woods, just yesterday,, between 11am and 4pm,,

10)
I paid $250 for a Model 29 that came in a wood box,, still have it, (around 1988)
(That guy died of old age,, he was OK)

11)
I do not have something for this one,,,


I read the list, and realized I had been just the opposite on each item,,
PLUS, I can attribute my answer to EACH answer to my wife,,
She has been the guide that helped me choose the correct decisions in life,

From finishing college, to buying 40 acres,, (even the Model 29)
she has supported me with helpful decision making advice.

 

[jscheck]

What Jem102 said!