> 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 goes:
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> 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. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
> 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. Love your parents because they will be gone before you know it.
> 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,and 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.
> 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. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
> 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.
> 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. ”
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