On November 17, 2011, I achieved 60 years on this tiny, green planet. There are milestones and then there milestones. I guess 60 is as good a place to stop and look at life as any. Some people decide to do something special, something daring, even dangerous to commemorate this landmark in their life, but since I’m afraid of heights (that rules out skydiving) and I’m in no shape to climb Mt. Everest. Something a little more down to earth was in order for my 60th birthday.

I like history and I enjoy writing, so this idea began rattling around in my head as the big 6-0 approached. What if I invited friends and family, in honor of my birthday, to write about life, their THOUGHTS, and the past 60 years? I would certainly welcome their best wishes, memories and stories about our past together, especially stories, but I did not want to limit WHAT they wrote about and HOW they shared it. A poem, an essay, pictures, photos, a DVD or a tape recording were all acceptable submissions for this project.

I was looking for both humor and insight into the human condition. What made us who we are? What shaped us? Who were our mentors and teachers? What were our triumphs and failures, our joys and our tears? What lessons have we learned? What makes life worth living? If they have some great truth about life, I invited them to share it with me. What is their take on the past 60 years on this planet? I was after their…THOUGHTS!

I asked them to put some real feeling into what they submit for this project. I considered their submissions a special gift, a 60th birthday present to me. Realizing that such a request might be overwhelming or intimidating for some, I said that thoughts and best wishes were more than enough of a present for me.

Well my friends and family did not disappoint. My daughter, Erin, sent me 60 of her favorite memories of us together, complete with pictures. Many of you sent insightful messages about life and aging to encourage me. Some, like my brother, made me laugh with his 6 truisms about life. I created this blog to share some of the wonderful responses and birthday wishes I received when my request went out. I want to thank all of you who participated in my project from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

But the project is not over! I want to use this blog to continue to share your THOUGHTS on turning 60. Use this blog to share your wisdom and insights about life and I will continue to post them here.

Send your submissions to:

sortman808@aol.com (subject: “The 60 Years Project”)

Saturday, November 19, 2011

6 Truisms in Life


You asked for some words of wisdom. Here are a few truisms I like:

1. Treat others as you want to be treated.
2. Know what your priorities are.
3. What comes around, goes around.
4. Have goals for everything.
5. Know what you want, figure out what is the price to get it, and start paying it.
6. Lastly, don’t eat yellow snow.

-Dr. Jonathan Ortman (brother)
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