Friday, June 05, 2009

Some good advice here.

Growing Older

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.

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

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

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

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

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 -- 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.

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."


10 comments:

Gigi Ann said...

She was a wise lady.

Anonymous said...

That last one is wise enough. Have a nice weekend, Patty.

You might like to read the story about Our Flower Pot...

Our Flower Pot

Renie Burghardt said...

Sage advice! I remember reading her columns years ago, when I lived in the Cleveland area. I like this one the best: 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the reunion. Take lots of pictures.

Renie

DeniseinVA said...

Lovely Patti, words to take note of. Have a lovely weekend.

Kavita Saharia said...

Dear Patty.....very useful words of wisdom.......lovely family pictures...i always notice you at Nitus and Priyankas ,today thought of visiting you...best thing i did today.

Margaret Cloud said...

I like your post today, it is always nice to read the things that lead to old age and have also lived some of them.

Priyanka Khot said...

Loved the piece. So inspiring. Thanks :D

Twisted Fencepost said...

Such good advice. It is a shame that most of us don't learn these lessons until we are too old to change anything.

Tomate Farcie said...

Some really good stuff in there!

GT said...

What a lovely family ...Touch Wood ...nice thoughts and commitment you both have for each other .... keep it up ... regards, GT