Life Lessons

When newspaper columnist Regina Brett turned 45, she wrote a piece on the 45 lessons life taught her. When she turned 50, she added five more. It has became the single most popular column she’s ever written.

Brett’s lessons cover a wide range of topics, some of which speak to me and others which I don’t find relevant, yet all the lessons will be likely be pertinent at some point in my life. I’m approaching 50 + 1 and have been especially reflective as of late. I think this is something I should reread every year.

Oh, by the way, in April Brett published a book based on her list, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. If you haven’t yet purchased my birthday gift, I think this would be an interesting read and a great addition to my collection!

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Regina Brett’s 45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On

Originally published in The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) on May 28, 2006; updated April 3, 2008

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 rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:

1Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5Pay off your credit cards every month.

6You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8It’s okay to get angry with God. He can take it.

9Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12It’s okay to let your children see you cry.

13Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living or get busy dying.

17You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion.  Today is special.

22Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24The most important sex organ is the brain.

25No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27Always choose life.

28Forgive everyone everything.

29What other people think of you is none of your business.

30Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33Believe in miracles.

34God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45The best is yet to come.

46No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49Yield.

50Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.