Life Lessons

The following is a lesson about how what we write on the net, always remains. A friend posted the message 42 Life Lessons. Somewhere along the line, someone made a mistake and listed the author’s age as 90. That attracted a lot of attention. I enjoyed reading the post and did some research about the post. You may see the post on one of the social media platforms or have seen it recently. The post was written on May 28, 2009. I do not take credit for the information about the author, it was gathered by Patricia Stoltey another author whose work has won awards. Her 2014 novel, Dead Wrong, was a finalist in the thriller category of the 2015 Colorado Book Awards.

The author of the post sent to me is Regina Brett, a columnist at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. She’s real and interesting, but definitely not 90 years old. A follow-up post on June 6, 2009, is entitled: Life’s lessons Speed up on the Internet; 90 years of living in 50: Regina Brett. Check out Regina’s bio as well.

Think about this; one tiny blog post written from the heart is now travelling around  the world making people nod and smile.

The text sent to me via FaceBook starts below. 

Written by a 90-year-old, 42 lessons life taught me 💖. The following was 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.(amen 💖💖💖)

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. (I love this one)

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."