Wednesday, June 03, 2009

45 Life Lessons

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 pay check.
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 and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it 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. I f 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.

83 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:40:00 PM

    Jeannie you hit the nail on the head...thanks "PIC" I needed that,I copyed them down as a reminder of how I would let my temper get out of control,ain't you proud of me,I can be a lady at times,a horny one but still a lady.(GIGGLES)

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  2. Katherine7:44:00 PM

    LMAO a horny lady...you go CC, enjoy it with the man you love and who loves you. Nothing better than that.

    :)

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  3. Anonymous7:52:00 PM

    Yours will come when the time is right,don't rush it,he may be right aroung the corner.

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  4. Anonymous9:37:00 PM

    Hi sweetie,I'm here.hahaha

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  5. Yo...Nee where are you?

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  6. That was quick ..HA!

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  7. Anonymous9:39:00 PM

    I'm here

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  8. How was your day? Mine was fantastic.

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  9. Anonymous9:41:00 PM

    How was your day,I know you had a good time with everyone.
    I think this is a good Idea.haha

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  10. I dreamed I was at Justin's weding last night.The girl was pregnant.
    I wonder if that is a premonition.

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  11. Anonymous9:43:00 PM

    I like the colors you have up,you know not to trust me with colors I will be just like Brian,everything "BLACK" hahaha

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  12. Anonymous9:45:00 PM

    I hope so,Justin has a great future before him.How old is he.

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  13. We had lovely weather.The twins had a great time.I hid a couple of little presents on the boat for them.Some special collector cards Jakey has been begging for and a game Sammy wanted.They loved it.The fish were really jumping out there (bass season)We had no poles with us.

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  14. Justin is 24...Weird dream.

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  15. What colors are you talking about honey???

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  16. Anonymous9:53:00 PM

    The sidebar colors look lighter,I could be wrong...
    When you went to buy paint to pe do a room.

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  17. Now that you mention it the green looks a little lighter but I didn't do anything.

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  18. Anonymous9:55:00 PM

    I know the twins had fun and you always enjoy them,it takes so little to make them happy,job well done. I know Jaye and Peter is proud of them.

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  19. Anonymous9:58:00 PM

    They are more like when you put them up,more of a pea-green..I know blogger has been updating,our icons are staying on.

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  20. yeah,Brian's choice of colors is not too good.His favorite color is orange.It's a nice color in small doses but he would paint all four walls that color.

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  21. Katherine9:59:00 PM

    Happy Sunday Gals!

    How was your weekends?

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  22. Has Gilly stopped teething?I remember how miserable that makes them.Have you got Jill enrolled in any day camps or other summer activities for her summer vacation?

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  23. Sunday was brilliant Katherine.How was yours?

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  24. Anonymous10:03:00 PM

    Nan made it back this evening,she loves your story,got her some copy.Said she was going to "Office Depot to nake some extras to carry to work and put them in the break rooms and the hotel break room.Who knows we may get some hits.

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  25. Katherine10:04:00 PM

    Perfect weekend Jeannie!

    Love em!

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  26. That was a nice thing for her to do.More readers would be welcome.

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  27. Katherine I think we deserve two weekends a week.

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  28. A three day week would be quite enough time to work.I've been asking Brian to cut back on time at work but he won't.He's one of those workaholics.

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  29. Anonymous10:09:00 PM

    Gilly is better,he's not taking the jugs,I use the pump for his milk,he likes table food,I have a couple of blenders.
    Jill is taking dance,we are just hanging out to see how it go.
    Hi katherine.

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  30. Katherine10:10:00 PM

    I agree...short work weeks are good for me...:)

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  31. How does she like the dance? Modern dance?
    They always like table food better.They put on weight quicker too.Does it look like he's going to be a big boy?

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  32. Anonymous10:16:00 PM

    Maybe you should think about the condo...Brian work all week and yard work..you know he is going to work on the boat.

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  33. Brian works till he drops.That's probably one of the reasons he had a heart attack.

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  34. The problem is Nana,Nee. I don't want her in a nursing home. She feels safe here and she has a nice garden and she can read her books and be left alone.Remember she doesn't like people.She would be miserable in a nursing home.But she could not live in a condo.

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  35. Anonymous10:21:00 PM

    Jill takes ballet and tap dancing.She says she do the belly roll like her mama,Haha.Gilly is going to be a big boy like his daddy,you will see ,Nan is back.

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  36. Katherine10:26:00 PM

    Hiya CC!

    :)

    Glad you had a nice weekend with the family!

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  37. Anonymous10:28:00 PM

    I understand,Nana feels more safe there,you are a blessing to Nana,she may be mean,but I think that just a way off protecting her self,my oldest brother don't like changes.Hell we want to Keep Nana happy.

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  38. Anonymous10:31:00 PM

    Thankyou Katherine,always have a great time.I stay here until my house is built.

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  39. They can't help the way they are.Nana won't be with us much longer she is pretty sick.I want to be there for her.

    You nailed the only thing that bothers me. It's that Brian does too much.

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  40. Anonymous10:35:00 PM

    Jeannie,I showed Gil my cupcake,he likes it,he said it looks just like me.Saying where is my man gonna get his dangle.hahaha
    Katherine how you like my Cupcake,Jeannie drew it for me..

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  41. Katherine10:38:00 PM

    Oh, CC I love it!

    Jeannie you are an amazing artist, I have loved all your stuff!

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  42. Anonymous10:41:00 PM

    Aries people is strong people you can depend on,they will care for the ones they love if it causes them to let there health slide,I have 2 grown ones here,Sis and Gil.
    Nana know you will be there for her,you are her baby girl.

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  43. Thanks Katherine. I thought I could do more for the blog but the time seems to fly by a lot faster these days.Or maybe I'm just moving slower.

    I've noticed you can plan and plan your life but it still doesn't turn out the way you thought.

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  44. Anonymous10:48:00 PM

    Yep ,Jeannie is an amazing artist.
    She also do poems and do the hokie -pokie hahahaha

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  45. Katherine10:50:00 PM

    LOL damn CC...hokie pokie

    Funny!

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  46. Anonymous10:51:00 PM

    Jeannie,You was snow-bound and there was nothing else to do,but blog,ain't you glad you have other interests,not just one ?

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  47. What's your sign NEE?

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  48. Wait I think you said you are a Scorpio,right?

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  49. Scorpios are very sensual people.
    I think you and Brian both qualify.

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  50. I have a lot of interests, Nee and the Hokie Pokie is one of them, also the Rumpy Bumpy and the Horizontal Hula.

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  51. Anonymous10:58:00 PM

    Jeannie I ask Sis,now that Gilly is almost weened,how long before I lose the rest of my baby fat,Gil told Sis he guess he will have to start nursing,I look good with a little fat on the rump.

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  52. Anonymous11:03:00 PM

    I am a cancer,June 22rd.

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  53. You may keep the chubby rump.You are over forty now.Ever heard of middle aged spread.I wish I had some, I'm skinny.

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  54. What are the qualities of a cancer ?I'm not familiar with them.
    What's your sign Katherine?

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  55. Katherine11:08:00 PM

    I am a Scorpio Jeannie...:)

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  56. Anonymous11:08:00 PM

    (GIGGLES) Oh lordy,I learned the "Rumpy Bumpy,and gil said I broke his dangle,when he went to the office,they had mad him a little crutch out of foil.hahaha
    remember.

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  57. Anonymous11:13:00 PM

    They don't just take things at face value,I will have to look it up,but I know they are not to be f**k with.

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  58. Scorpios are sexy people.They are very good with people.They make a lot of money.
    So good luck with that Katherine.

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  59. That does sound like you Nee, but I bet there are more qualities.

    You're a very down to earth gal,very sensual and yet I always sensed a kind of spirituality about you.You hide it.

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  60. Anonymous11:18:00 PM

    I will have to put on a lot of weight to get fat,I am 5'9".I will be 41 in June.But the best is yet to come..that's what you and Sis told me.

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  61. Anonymous11:19:00 PM

    will make sure I don't get wrinkles down there,I wouldn't want him falling in one..hahaha boy I am hot tonight. oh yeah.

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  62. Yeah, my ex fell into a fat dimple on his wife and they couldn't find him for two days.

    The best is yet to come.With a little age comes wisdom.The wisdom strips away confusion, greed, envy,doubt in yourself and increases your capacity for love.

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  63. Anonymous11:33:00 PM

    Yes I do have a very spiritual side to me,I can feel things,It's like hearing the wind whispering in my ears,so I pay close attention.

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  64. Anonymous11:38:00 PM

    You know I have talk to you about some of my feeling lately,and I am convinced now that I am almost right.

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  65. Yes,When you get a feeling about something it's pretty strong.

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  66. Anonymous11:46:00 PM

    It seems like things are falling into place.

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  67. Anonymous11:48:00 PM

    Katherine .what is your man's sign.
    Mine is Aries...very horny for a old fella.

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  68. Katherine11:49:00 PM

    CC I dont have a man...single gal I am...:)

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  69. I'm going to curl up beside my old Scorpio and listen to him rumbling away in a few minutes.

    I recall you said you had a few bad experiences with Dodo, Katherine.Why would she pick on a nice gal like you?

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  70. Anonymous12:05:00 AM

    Well you better hurry and find one,there's still some good ones out there,hell girl that thing will grow shut...hahaha
    Just teasing Katherine.

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  71. Katherine12:05:00 AM

    I can only think of the time I told her off Jeannie...didnt sit too well I imagine...LOL


    Have a wonderful night Gals!

    Until Anon...:)

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  72. Katherine12:06:00 AM

    CC

    You are freaking hilarious!

    love it!

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  73. Anonymous12:23:00 AM

    Jeannie ,Katherine haven't seen me in full form yet.I am bad ,always was and always will be.

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  74. Well sweetie,I hear my pillow calling.Have a restful sleep and I might pop in, in the afternoon.I'm just going to load a few photos into drafts for you...see you soon...luv Jeannie

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  75. I left you an email

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  76. Anonymous12:41:00 AM

    Jeannie ,Sis says we are looking for something and not to worry we will find it...hahahaha

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  77. Anonymous12:43:00 AM

    I got it .did you get mine,I will re-sent it.

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  78. Thanks Sis, I sure hope so.

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  79. No I didn't.I'll go check again.

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  80. Anonymous12:45:00 AM

    Have a good night check for NEE to JEannie,goodnite and see you tomorrw.
    NITE.....LUV....NEE

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  81. Anonymous12:47:00 AM

    I will resent it.

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  82. Got it.You are so right girl.

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  83. Anonymous1:01:00 AM

    ou and I make a great team.Now go curl up with your Shining Knight,the Rock,you know he is always ready for you.

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