Wisdom for Growing Old

Going through my writing files I found this great essay about "Growing Older." I enjoyed it years ago when I first received it, but I checked the author’s identity. Good thing I did.

    Regina Brett is not 90 years old, and she wrote 50 lessons in her original article in 2006 because she had just turned 50. I’m resubmitting 45 Lessons words of wisdom.

Regina Brett, 56 years old writer for The Plain Dealer of Cleveland, Ohio, wrote this in 2006 when she turned 50,

 "To celebrate growing older, I wrote these 50 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 to waste time hating any one.

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 is more healing that crying alone.

8) It is 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 is 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 is 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.

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.

36) Growing old beats the alternative -- 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 dy. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40) If we threw all our problems in a pile and say 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 is still a gift.

I'm late for a meeting, so I will edit and resubmit the entire 50 later today.