Regina Brett wrote this piece for her column in The Plain Dealer paper, Cleveland
Ohio. Some emails are going around saying it was written when her odometer rolled
90 years old. Of course, I did a little double checking and find out that the lessons
she learned were appreciated by the time she turned "50". I'd say Regina has learned
her lessons well. So apart from internet hype, here are Regina's 45 lessons that were
probably written in 2006. Great advice here!!!
Regina Brett was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009 for her ability to move the heart.
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."
Gail MacMillan Broker-Realtor®
Home Sweet Home Florida Realty, Inc.
At Home With Diversity (AHWD)
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
e-PRO Internet Certified (e-PRO)
Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI)
Relocation Specialist
Titusville, Florida
Cell: 321.544.6808
www.HomeSweetHomeFlorida.com
www.Titusville-FL-Real-estate.com
Gail, I think you just came down from the mountain with this wealth of wisdom. AWESOME!!!
I love this list. Well except for #10 and while I know this could make the outcast among the human race... I really can resist... I don't even like chocolate.
Hi Gary....not mine to claim. Regina Brett gets all the credit and, really at "50" she does appear wise beyond her years. I'm not wondering why this appeals to you :-)
LOL @Tammy....I'm not a chocoholic either, so we can substitute chocolate for whatever brings us some comfort food pleasure...for me it would be ice cream...yum-yum!!!
Well, since I just ate by second bite sized babe ruth bar, I guess I can not resist chocolate. Love it. Hershey's is my favorite. No almonds, the thin bar. I love it. This is a truly great list Gail and we should all live by these.
Gail,
Next picture has to be an Owl, because these are pretty "wise" sayings. My favorite is........
Rich
This one is my favorite -
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
Have a great week my friend!
Debi
Mangiggly....with that figure of yours I can't imagine how you do it. Must be those terrific Italian genetics....WooHoo
Oh Great----Rich---another Italian wonder-genetic....and I know what I'm talking about since I've been married to a genetically wonderful Italian for over 30 years.
Oh yes, we were talking about wisdom weren't we....LOL ~ I would be happy if I could claim 1/2 of these as internalized. But I'm always trying. Thanks friends for stopping by, wishing you a pleasant evening :-)
I want to meet Regina Brett! She must be an old soul, as these are words of wisdom far beyond her young (50) years. Amazing! Thanks for posting.
Hello Sweet Debou....while they are all worthy of striving for, the one which resonates most in me is #38. Without LOVE there is VOID (paraphrasing ;-)
Hi Judy...I agree, she is quite wise beyond her years. I suspect she had a very nurturing family. Here is the link to her site http://www.reginabrett.com/ Thanks so much for stopping by this evening.
I love this post. I am going to remember this and use this as a daily tidbit for my agents.
- Rhonda
Gail - This post is excellent and I am going to keep this in my files for reflection. All the best.
Gail - 38 is my favorite too and who cares about chocolate anyway? :-)
Gail, one of my biggest pet peeves is that people don't YIELD getting onto the freeway!! Do they need to put an explanation on the sign????
How can you pick a favorite from this list? They are all so true.....but ok, If I must.....
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Enough said.
Gail, these werre great! I'm kind of surprised she doesn't have one that says "Life is good -consider the alternative".
What a list! Thanks for sharing this - so much wisdom, and some funny ones, too. You come up with so many interesting things, Gail!
"Life isn't fair but it's still good." This is so true, Gail!
Gail - That is a huge list and I should print it and put it some where I can read it all the time, thanks and don't be a stranger!
VB
People so hate me when I agree to disagree with them. They want to win. Eventually I have to remove those people from my database because it's too much effort to stay friends with them.
There are 45 GREAT lessons reasons to live life to the fullest everyday.
Hello Miss Gail-With this awesome list you can be motivated everyday of the week. It is hard to pick just one. Now chocolate is a hard thing to resist. I love #25 and #38. especially. Thank you for sharing this with us from Regina.
P.S. This is Lindsey Sharon Lee's kitty typing cause Gail told me to step away from the mouse. LOL
Hi Everybody.....I'm glad you enjoyed these pearls of wisdom. I already making the rounds to visit with each of you. Thanks so much for stopping by, always appreciated :-) Hope you all a happy day!
LOL @Ms Sharon
Wow Gail- 45 pearls of wisdom! You almost have a whole strand there! I'm not going to pick a favorite, but the word chocolate did jump out at me! :-)
Hi Gail
There is some great advice I like several but I feel #19 should be practiced.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
This is s fabulous post and I have bookmarked to enjoy the many great insights!
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Love that one and sometimes it does come tied with a bow!
Hi Mary....I love how your mind works and how you connect the dots. Always on the money :-)
Ahhh Lou....I would love to hear more about your second childhood ;-)
Hi Russell....are you still here??? When are you leaving for your enviable 2 week, no communications allowed vacation. We'll be waiting to meet the man who comes down from the mountain.......
That's too many lessons to learn all in one day. May I do one a day for 45 days?
Gail ... LOL entire country should try # 5 Pay of your debt every month ... Have great, successful and wonderful week