A hundred years from now, it will not matter how much money you made, how successful or how impressive your resume, but it will be important that you touched the heart of a child.

By the year 2124, we will all be buried as well as our family and friends. If they are still standing, strangers will live in our homes; the ones we worked so hard to build, furnish and maintain.

Someone else will own everything we have today, unless it ends up in a dumpster. Our descendants will barely, if at all, remember us. We may end up just a faded photo in a frame. A few years later our history, photos, deeds and all will be faded, too.

With age comes wisdom and we need to reflect on the future as we ponder how hard we work to accumulate stuff. We will recognize the dreams were ignorant and weak to want to achieve it all.

If only we realized in our youth, what was truly important and what wasn’t. We would be different people because our thoughts would change from always wanting more to recognizing what is of true value.

If I could change all this to live and enjoy the walks I’ve never taken, the hugs I didn’t give, a missed opportunity to help another and remember all the most beautiful memories. It would fill our souls with joy; yet too many of us waste it day after day with greed, selfishness and intolerance.

Every minute is precious so take time to enjoy, be grateful and celebrate your unique existence.

Once we hit retirement, use up the money you saved. Enjoy it. Spend it. Just don’t save it for those who haven’t a clue of the sacrifices you made to accumulate it.

It’s no longer our responsibility to support children, grandchildren and others. Raising kids to become self-reliant and support themselves while also learning to become both accountable and responsible is a must. Don’t feel badly about spending your money on yourself. Travel while you’re still able.

Practice self-care. Eat healthily, do moderate exercise and get your sleep.

Don’t stress over little things. Be present. Don’t allow your past to discourage or depress you and don’t be frightened by an unknown future.

Keep your own sense of style and don’t try to turn back the clock. A million dollars spent to look 25 again won’t change the fact that you’re not.

Be aware of the world around you. Stay up to date on what’s going on around the globe.

Respect the younger generation and their opinions. It may be the complete opposite of your views, but they are the future.

Don’t criticize but give advice when prompted. Remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

Your time is now. We will be part of this time as long as we live.

Don’t become bitter about your golden years but rather embrace them. Life is simply too brief to waste away our days of bad memories and what could-have-beens.

Surround yourself with positive, cheerful people. Don’t abandon your hobbies and social life. If you don’t have hobbies, start one. Travel, cook, read, dance, adopt a cat or dog, games; grow an indoor garden. Just go and do.

Get out of the house; meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). The important thing is to get out and about. Go to museums or walk through a park. Get out there. Volunteer. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain unless you really need to.

Learn to accept situations as they are. Discomfort and pains go hand in hand with aging. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of life. If you’ve been offended by someone — forgive them. If you’ve offended someone — apologize. Don’t drag around resentment; it only makes you sad and bitter.

It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget, and move on with your life. Laugh. Laugh away your troubles and be grateful. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to experience that. Enjoy a peaceful one. Jesus can’t take the wheel if we don’t allow Him to. In reality, our attitude is the only thing we ever control.

You will always be as happy as you choose to be. Like Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry — be happy.” In 100 years what will matter most?