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 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. 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."
> >
