I received this as an e-mail this week - and I was able to relate to a lot of the things on the list and I wanted to share the e-mail with you ---- It got me thinking....and I hope it gets you thinking too!
This is also especially relevant to me --- my very own grandmother turns 90 this year - and we can't wait to celebrate with her....I think she would also agree with a lot of these statements.
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "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 rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. - Isn't that the truth!
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. - Something I try to talk myself into all the time!
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. - Words to live by - I need to work on letting go
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. - Another thing I haven't done -- kept in touch with friends - any old friends out there....lets reconnect.
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. - A good cry can really make you feel better
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. - A great idea.
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. - This is so true - but I still waste so much time on this.
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. - I am thankful he has at least one eye on us.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. - counting to 10 works too!
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. - for real (and if your looking for some beautiful pictures...call us!)
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. - I can't wait for my second childhood - but my parents did pretty good with the first one.
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. - AMEN
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. - At least 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 but you. - So true! Why do I let myself be unhappy then?
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything. - I am starting to work on this more - forgiveness is very important
29. What other people think of you is none of your business. - I wish I practiced this more.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. - YUP
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. - Another thing to add to my to do list.
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. - For Sure!
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
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. - I think this is very true ---- I stress out about my problems...but there are others I am sure that have it so much worse then me - and it makes me thankful for what I have.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come. - Bring it.
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.
I hope this made you think as much as it made me think - leave me a comment - let me know what one made the biggest impression on you.
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And Gabe:
