... Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain
Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the
42 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 – 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. Save for retirement
starting with your first pay check.
9. When it comes to chocolate,
resistance is futile.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up
the present.
11. It's OK to let your children see you
cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you
shouldn't be in it...
14 Take a deep breath. It calms the
mind.
15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down
in many ways.
16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you
stronger.
17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and
no one else.
18. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
don't take no for an answer.
19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets,
wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is
special.
20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
21. Be eccentric
now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
22. The most important sex
organ is the brain.
23. No one is in charge of your happiness but
you.
24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,
will this matter?'
25. Always choose life.
26. Forgive but don’t
forget.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
29. However
good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Don't take yourself so
seriously. No one else does..
31. Believe in miracles.
32. Don't
audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
33. Growing old beats
the alternative -- dying young.
34. Your children get only one
childhood.
35. All that truly matters in the end is that you
loved.
36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting
everywhere.
37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
else's, we'd grab ours back.
38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you
already have not what you need.
39. The best is yet to come...
40.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
41.
Yield.
42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
