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. My odometer rolled over to 90 last 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 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 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, 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 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. 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. 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's still a gift.

Golfers (and fans) Unite

I think I'm likely the only avid golfer that everybody who's ever played the game can beat! My game redefines the definition of awful! But as bad as it is, I still love to try and especially love the fact that a game of golf gets me outside and away from the frenzy of a "normal" day for four or five hours.

I'm sure that you have heard the news that disturbs me today -- the news that Amy Mickelson, the lovely wife of Phil Mickelson, has been diagnosed with cancer.

My wife and I were in Pinehurst in 1999, watching Phil compete for the title of US Open Champion when Amy was due to give birth to the first of their children. Even though he played to a tie and was committed a playoff round, Phil had told officials and fans alike that he would forego his chances at a major and leave should Amy go into labor.

As a cancer survivor myself, my heart aches at Amy's news and at the uncertainty that's bound to overwhelm Phil and the family. We just hope that they have found her cancer early when chances of a full recovery are best.

Join me in wishing the best for the Mickelson family -- to Amy, to Phil, the kids and their extended family. Join my in praying daily that they will find peace during the difficult days ahead.

JFSI Supports Kernersville Relay For Life

As a two time cancer survivor, I realize that a cancer diagnosis -- even a diagnosis of TERMINAL CANCER -- is a guaranteed death sentence. Doctors are well trained and more often than not can and do predict that actual outcome. But they are not and should never pretend to be GOD.

As someone who has twice been subjected to the pain and uncertainty imposed by the dreaded "C" diagnosis, I encourage you to join with me to support Kernersville's upcoming Relay For Life.

Relay does much more than raise money for research, as important as that is. In my opinion, the most important thing Relay does is emphasize that there is HOPE and to CELEBRATE victories of those of us who now categorize ourselves as "survivors".

East High School is once again the venue; and the event date is Friday evening May 29 through Saturday morning, May 30th. The event kicks off with a survivor lap around the track, with the rest of the evening event filled and fun for the entire family.

Can I count on you being there?

Life can be much too serious

I thought you would like to see something other than the economy or the flu. So, I laughed at a few of these .

If you have a kid (or are a kid) you will like them

1. How Do You Catch a Unique Rabbit?
Unique up On It.

2. How Do You Catch a Tame Rabbit?
Tame Way, Unique Up On It.

3. How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest?
They Take The Psycho Path.

4. How Do You Get Holy Water?
You Boil The Hell Out Of It.

5. What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete Wall?
Dam!

6. What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice too Long?
Polaroids.

7. What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't work?
A Stick.

8. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.

9. What Do You Call Santa's Helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.

10. What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?
Quattro Sinko.

11. What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.

12. What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
Frostbite.

13. What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?
A Nervous Wreck.

14. What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone can Roast Beef.

15. Where Do You Find a Dog With No Legs?
Right Where You Left Him.

16. Why Do Gorillas Have Big Nostrils?
Because They Have Big Fingers.

17. Why Don 't Blind People Like To Sky Dive?
Because It Scares The Dog.

18. What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic?
Sanka.

19. What Is The Difference Between a Harley And a Hoover?
The Location Of The Dirt Bag.

20. Why Did Pilgrims' Pants Always Fall Down?
Because They Wore Their Belt Buckle On Their Hat.

21. What's The Difference Between a Bad Golfer And a Bad Skydiver?
A Bad Golfer Goes Whack, Dang! A Bad Skydiver Goes Dang! Whack.

22. How Is a Texas Tornado And an Alabama Divorce The same?
Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer!

Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile.