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.
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> 9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.
>
> 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
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> 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
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> 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
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> 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.
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> 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.
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> 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five
years, will this matter?'
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> 27. Always cho ose life.
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> 28. Forgive everyone everything.
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> 29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
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> 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
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> 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
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> 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
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> 33. Believe in miracles.
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> 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything
you did or didn't do.
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> 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
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> 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
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> 37. Your children get only one childhood.
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> 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
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> 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
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> 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
else's, we'd grab ours back.
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> 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
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> 42. The best is yet to come.
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> 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
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> 44. Yield.
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> 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
>