I recently spent 2 weeks in
Europe where I had a wonderful time with my husband. During our trip, I had
long periods of time where I sat and looked out at the ocean and thought about
many different things. I thought about my past, present and future. I thought
about everything that I have done in the past and what I would like to
accomplish in my life in the future.
For several weeks, I have
been unable to think of anything else but this topic. There are so many things
that I am thankful that I have done, so many things yet accomplished, so many
things that I wish I had taken a chance on, and of course, many things that I
regret and wish that I had done differently.
Today, I found a column by
a woman who is a reporter for a newspaper in
Cleveland, Ohio. I had to include it
in this post because in some ways it sums up what I have been thinking about,
but it also gives me inspiration to make changes in the way I have looked at my
life. I hope that you enjoy it!
Written by Regina Brett, 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.
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 –
enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care
of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit
cards every month.
6. You don't have to win
every argument. Stay true to yourself.
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. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill
you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to
be happy. But it’s all 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 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
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 of 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. Accept what you already have, not what 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."
I intend to start working on taking her advice! How about you? Until next time!
