No. 727 - SOME LESSONS LIFE TAUGHT HER !
No. 727
Jim Davidson -- NEWSPAPER COLUMN
SOME LESSONS LIFE TAUGHT HER!
In case you have not noticed, most of the news these days is negative. Of course that is the reason it is news. I’m told that the “GRIT” went out of business because all they printed was good news. If you follow national and world news very carefully it will drive you to drink, and for many people the trip would not take too long.
One of the things I have tried to do since starting my column back in 1995 is to bring a little positive news or at least something positive to think about. A good deal of the material that I share here is not original, and I don’t make any claim to that effect, but I do spend a good deal of time searching out the kind of information that I believe would be a blessing to you.
Such is the case for something Paul Fleming, who lives in Marion, Ill., sent me a while back. It’s titled, “The 45 Lessons Life Taught Me” and was written by Regina Brett, 90-year-old writer for “The Plain Dealer” in Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Brett says it was the most-requested column that she had ever written. For your enjoyment, here are those 45 lessons, or at least as many as I have space for.
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. 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 you 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 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, and 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 the import of life’s experiences.
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. 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. 41. Envy is a waste of time.You already have all you need. 44. Yield.
Well, that’s all my space. I’d say Regina did good. Hope you enjoyed it.
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(EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Davidson is a public speaker and syndicated columnist. You may contact him at 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034. To begin a bookcase literacy project visit www.bookcaseforeverychild.com. You won’t go wrong helping a needy child.)
