Wednesday, September 24, 2008

45 Lessons

This was sent to me by my Dad a few months ago, and I love it. I wanted to share it with you all.

It was written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

She says it is the most requested column she'd ever written and it was rerun in honor of her 90th Birthday. I'd say she's got a lot of wisdom to impart.



45 Lessons Life Taught Me

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement early starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative.

37. Your children only get one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

12 comments:

Wep said...

Excellent post. Those are definitely words to remember :)

CaraBee said...

I saw this once before a long time ago and I love it just as much now as I did then. I say amen to EVERY SINGLE ONE. I should read this every time I'm having a bad day. Thanks for posting this!

Shannon said...

What a great list!

Melissa Lester said...

What great ideas! I look forward to making my own list at 90!

Melissa B. said...

Great post! I'm always telling my students to "Take a Deep Breath"!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I have a post similar to this saved in word. I am pondering life lessons. Like "never ever, ever tell your children you are going to do something fun. Until you are on the way to do it. Or until you get there. Otherwise you'll hear about it. For forever. My child that can't remember to empty her own laundry basket remembers the time that we weren't able to go to her friend Claire's house because I had a plumbing emergency. I am wondering when I might get a therapy bill.

:-)

(Oh, and I love your comment from my blog today. The first one - I was thinking - what on earth! And then - thank goodness you referenced Darcy because I would have thought you were off your rocker :-)

Darcy @ m3b said...

Oh, I love those. I needed to be reminded of those more often!

I should print these and tape them to my forehead.

;)

Thanks for your feedback re: comments - I'm with ya' sister!

Melissa B. said...

BTW, don't forget my Silly Sunday Sweepstakes tomorrow--I've got a sweet snap for ya. Remember, it's all about Sharing the Caption Love!

Jen said...

This is a great list. Do you mind if I copy this post?
Thanks for visiting on Monday. I'd live and stay in Banff if I could. It was fabulous the 8 months I was there.
Enjoy the rest of the week.

Kathi Roach said...

Jennifer...go right ahead!! Copy away. Thx for asking!!

kari and kijsa said...

What a blessing! Such great reminders of a life well lived!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

smiles, kari & kijsa

Tracy P. said...

This is phenomenal! What wisdom!!

I saw your comment at Debbie's place today, and realized that yes, I HAD seen Todd Smith! The guy next to him asked that question, and I thought the guy who turns out to be Todd looked like he might be his brother.