Have you seen the new craze for list making? Eight ways to please a man, 10 steps to a better you, 5 things to do to create the perfect website. We live in a hurry-up world that likes advice in sound bites.

On August 7, 1957, in an era of slower living, I was born. I was even born slowly: Mom went into labor the day before, after returning home from a movie with my Dad and I wasn’t born until 8:25am the next day. Big birthdays are a good time for reflecting.

When I turned thirty I was in a hotel room in Chicago attending a training seminar for my new job. I didn’t know anyone in town, and as I thought back to high school and the vision I’d had for my adult life; my life wasn’t what I’d expected. Has that happened to you?

I thought I’d be a married stay-at-home mom with two children, two cars and a house with a picket fence. Instead I was a full-time employee, divorced with two cats living in a house with five college guys. It made for interesting weekend activities, but certainly was not the life I’d envisioned.

At forty, I was an executive for a worldwide company, married with two children, two cars and a house and now at fifty it’s all changed again. Still a mother of two, I am single, living in a condo with my own business. I reflect back on my life and all that I’ve learned. I’m excited by the fact that today fifty is the new thirty and it’s almost a do-over. As I embark on the next decade of my life I celebrate what has come before. So here is my list of all I’ve learned SO FAR:

1. Honesty is the only policy

2. When you give without expecting anything in return, often you receive more than you bargained for.

3. Homemade beats store bought every time.

4. Wealth has nothing to do with your bank account.

5. The best things come in small packages; babies, kittens, daffodil bulbs, Dove chocolate.

6. Smile first – it will be reciprocated.

7. It costs nothing to befriend cashiers, toll booth operators, but it will make both of your days that much nicer.

8. Sometimes comfort food is just what the doctor ordered.

9. The customer is always right, even when they aren’t.

10. Perception is reality.

11. Pray for help, pray for forgiveness, and pray for thanksgiving…He’s listening.

12. Drive until you get lost – you’ll be amazed at the new places you’ll discover.

13. If the choice is cleaning your home or playing Barbie’s with your daughter…let the dust accumulate.

14. Listen closely. It’s a gift that shows you care.

15. Offer something free to your customers. They’ll remember you fondly.

16. Pay the toll for the guy behind you and relish in the secret joy of anonymous giving.

17. The only way to sing along to the radio is loudly.

18. It’s fun to stay up all night reading a book and lose yourself in the story.

19. Boa feathers look good on me.

20. You don’t have to have a green thumb to love flowers.

21. If I could pick my family – I would pick the family I have.

22. Worrying is wasted energy…so why haven’t I wasted away?

23. Eventually we all turn into our parents and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

24. Live life out loud – don’t do it part way – run the risk of making a fool of yourself.

25. Be consistent. Your spouse, kids, employees and customers will thank you.

26. You can’t please every customer, every time, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

27. Be willing to fail.

28. The best ideas come in the shower or while walking so get some exercise and have good hygiene.

29. Take a stand.

30. Treat yourself. Send yourself flowers, take a bubble bath, and stay in your jammies all day, play hooky. You’ll feel better for it.

31. Chocolate is the perfect food.

32. Watch cartoons with your kids in the morning instead of the news.

33. Dare to be different. And if friends can’t accept you for who you are, as you are – then they really aren’t your friends.

34. When you are afraid – imagine the worst possible scenario. Once you know the worst – there isn’t any reason not to go for it – so GO FOR IT!

35. Love completely.

36. Friendships are rare gifts. When they are genuine, they stand the test of time and circumstance.

37. Don’t assume you know what your value is. Ask a customer. You will be surprised by the answer.

38. No one fires an employee – they fire themselves.

39. Refunds start at the beginning of the sale. So pay attention from the start.

40. “Kill ‘em with kindness” is easier said than done…but it works.

41. It’s better to be over dressed than too casual.

42. Find a mentor. Listen to them and act on what feels right.

43. Be a mentor – give back.

44. Live as you want your kids to live so you aren’t caught saying “do as I say, not as I do.”

45. Ask for help – it’s NOT a sign of weakness, rather it’s a sign of intelligence. AND it’s a gift you give the person whose help you’ve requested.

46. Write – keep a journal.

47. Take time to watch the clouds or a meteor shower. Feel how insignificant you really are in the great scheme of things. It helps to put it all in perspective.

48. Write a real letter on paper and send it with a stamp. You’ll make someone’s day.

49. Say thank you. We often ask but seldom thank.

50. Celebrate your birthday like it’s the 4th of July, Christmas and Easter all rolled into one. After all it was the day you were born and you, my friend, are a person of value.

Deborah Chaddock Brown, owner of AllWrite Ink, has been writing since she was seven. AllWrite Ink is a corporate writing enterprise focused on providing solution-oriented content that enhances her customer's brand message. She writes Word People Read SM.

Websites are a specialty of Deborah's. "Every business has a unique story to tell. My gift is taking their industry key words and weaving them into their unique story so that search engines and most importantly - potential customers - can more easily find them on the web."

She recently penned "It's a Party, Planning a Successful Retail Sales Event," a workbook designed to take the thinking out of planning a grand opening or customer appreciation day event for retailers.

She also written a chapter in the new marketing book: "49 Marketing Secrets that work To Grow Sales" now available at Amazon.

For more information visit www.allwriteink.com. Deborah has two children and a kitten that inspire her thoughts and ideas.