Quotes

45 Life Lessons and 5 to Grow On

One of my favorite sayings is, “Life’s good … and I’m paying attention.” This is my New Year’s Resolution … Remembering that life IS good and not letting the days just slip by – one after another. Each day is special and I want to pay attention.

Regina Brett is a columnist for my hometown newspaper, The Cleveland Plain Dealer. I recently ran across her article from May 28, 2006 titled Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on.” I’m posting it here to share with all my readers. But, I’m also posting it so I can read it often throughout the year.

Regina Brett

Following is Regina Brett’s column written on May 28, 2006 …

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:

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

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

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

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

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

33. Believe in miracles.

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

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

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

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

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

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

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

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

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

45. The best is yet to come.

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

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

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

From now on, every time I say “Have a good day” I’m going to mean it. How about you? Leave a comment with your favorite life lesson.

Marilyn Kvasnok

If I Had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck

Oct 28th, 2010

by Marilyn.

3 comments

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it … live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.

Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Erma Bombeck was an American humorist. From the mid 1960’s to the late 1990’s, she wrote a very popular newspaper column describing home life in the suburbs. She also published 15 books, most of which became best-sellers.

Marilyn Kvasnok

My Deepest Fear

Jan 7th, 2010

by Marilyn.

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Happy Family My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate. My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure. It is my light, not my darkness that most frightens me.

I ask myself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who am I not to be? I am a child of God. My playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around me.

I am meant to shine, as children do. I was born to make manifest the glory of God that is within me. It’s not just in me; it’s in everyone. And as I let my own light shine, I unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As I am liberated from my own fear, my presence automatically liberates others.

~Marianne Williamson

PS: Originally, this quote was “Author Unknown.” Thanks to Elizabeth Aleccia for identifying the author. The title and text have been corrected to exactly match the author’s quote.

Marilyn Kvasnok

Who Are You?

Feb 19th, 2009

by Marilyn.

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Are you defined by the things you have? The things you buy? Are you in debt beyond what you can reasonably expect to ever repay? Are you always trying to keep up with your family and friends’ lifestyles?

Or are you defined by WHO you are? What are your values? What are your priorities? What do you truly believe in? Isn’t this much more important than stuff?

The recession is real and it’s not going away any time soon. It’s making all of us take a long, hard look at who we are.

Suze Orman had very good advice on the Today Show today. She said, “If you have the money – Spend it. But if you don’t have the money – You need to save it.” Great advice from an expert. If you’re digging yourself deeper and deeper in debt, it’s time to stop. It’s time to prepare for the future. Pay your bills – Mortgage/rent, utilities, car payment. But stop the non-essential spending – Going out to eat, movies, vacations. Find the money to start saving. If things get worse before they get better, you’ll be glad you have some money put away. And when the economy improves – And it will – You’ll have a habit of savings AND money in the bank!

Inspirational Video

Nov 8th, 2008

by Marilyn.

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When I was growing up, mom used to say, “A man complained because he had no shoes, until he met a man who had no feet.” I still remember it. And I repeated it to my kids more than once.

We all have challenges. Most of them are not insurmountable. It may seem easy to slip into self-pity, but I hope you don’t. Years ago, I met a man who had no arms. He did everything with his feet, including playing the guitar. He was amazing. He had a “can do” attitude. It would have been easy for him to give in to his disability, but he chose to inspire others.

Watch the video to virtually meet another man who is truly inspirational.

Marilyn Kvasnok