Words of Wisdom Wednesday - 45 Lessons Life Taught Me

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."

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. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

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. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all 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 but don’t forget.

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. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

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 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. Accept what you already have not what 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.

Hope this puts a smile on your face.  Hugs,  Erin 



Funny Friday - Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers

You may have seen this story before but it is good one.  It especially spoke to me today after having a really rough week.  I need to remember what is important and that having a good attitude despite my problems, will go along way in getting through this challenge.

TGIF!!  Hugs, Erin

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When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes....'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things---The Lord, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car..
The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

• Spend time with your children...
• Spend time with your parents.
• Visit with grandparents.
• Take your spouse/partner out to dinner.
• Play another 18.
• There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
• Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.
• Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS,

IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN!!!!

Words of Wisdom

This came to me via a newsletter I receive weekly, but rarely take time to read.  This is seemed to hit home today as I've been feeling down (like a black cloud is hanging over my head) about life lately.

I hope these words inspire you or give you pause to think about life and your blessings.

Hugs, Erin

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Words of Wisdom

(from Michael Josephson at Character Counts)

Find the lesson in every failure and you will never fail.

1. The likelihood that you're right is not increased by the intensity of your conviction.

2. Real friends make you feel worthy and make you want to be better.

3. When you are in a hole, stop digging.

4. Don't confuse fun with fulfillment or pleasure with happiness.

5. Refusing to let go of a grudge is refusing to use the key that will set you free.

6. Counting on luck is counting on random chance. Your odds are much better when you plan and work.

7. Hating hurts you more than the person you hate.

8. Being kind is better than being clever.

9. Don't underestimate the power of persistence.

10. The easy way is rarely the best way.

11. It is much easier to burst someone's else's bubble than to blow up your own.

12. You can't avoid pain, but you can avoid suffering.

13. Self pity is a losing strategy. It repels others and weakens you.

14. Shortcuts usually produce short success.

15. Control your attitude or it will control you.

16. It is more important to be significant than successful.

17. The world is waiting for you to heal it.

Remember: character counts!