Monday, June 29

Life Lessons

Written by Regina Brett

Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday,May 28, 2006

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

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 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 a 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. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

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. Overprepare, 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 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. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

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

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

45. The best is yet to come.

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

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

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

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

14 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

Good ones!!!! Many are in my philosophy; others need to be but I think I need to grow into them. Sigh.

Beverly said...

Those are so good. I've been sent that by several people (not with the credit, though) Those statements must have made a big impression on a lot of people.

I have a couple of articles that I've saved from the newspaper from columnists who have written their life lessons too. Maybe I should dig them out and post them.

Some of the greatest life lessons I'm reading about are from teens and youngs adults who write about their dealing with cystic fibrosis. I am in awe of them and all they have gone through in their young lives.

Beverly said...

Wish I had known all of them 40 years ago.....

srp said...

Read the Psalms... yes... the full range of human emotion. These are all great.. some easier to do than others. But we keep trying.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

As a stay at home mom, I can't say enough how true it is to get up, get dressed and get out there. I feel so much better when I have make up on, more purposeful than just sitting around the house!

poopie said...

and yes...i needed that too ^j^

colleen said...

I'm over prepare and then go with the flow. A wise woman.

Grannymar said...

I am learning that I must allow others to help me and it is not easy!

Asking for help was never in my religion! lol

Pat said...

Yay to all of that except maybe #45.

Arkansas Patti said...

All good lessons we usually know but don't always exercise. #40 is my favorite.

Granny Annie said...

Definitely words to live by.

Traci Dolan said...

I needed that!

themom said...

All are excellent remarks. Thanks.

rosemary said...

Printed/copied...will be mailed and emailed to those I care about.