45 Simple Lessons for Life by Regina Brett

In life, some things will always change, babies will grow, so will flowers and trees... Some things don't change; love always triumphs, kind is always better than right and the best sound is the giggles of our children. And there are some that always remain the same. Of those, here is a little sample that is oh so beautifully written with wisdom by lovely Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio!

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."

With much love

Snows of Love

It is white outside, everything is covered in pure sugary, white snow. It has been beckoning me to go play outside and build snow castles, polar bears and army of snowmen. I however, curbed that temptation and continued to work.

When I was little in a faraway land, I waited snow with excitement. All the children would be pouring out on the streets with any piece of cardboard, plastic bag to make his or her own sled. Snowboards were not heard of, neither were snowpants... So this was "the beginning of Simple Tips for Life"... But what fun... Walking in the snow, sticking my tongue out to catch the flakes and sledding down the little hills surrounding our apartment building; it was almost another world away...

I can teach you how to use a cardboard as a sled but that would not be necessary in the US, as any Chinese made sled is under $10. Since my economics professor mentioned that your cost of time should be less than the cost of the item you are making... in that case, head to your nearest Target to pick one up... Sled that is, not the economics professor.  Also, I can teach you how to make a snowman, but I think that comes naturally with the first flake of snow to every kid...

I however wanted to mention the play "Yankee Tavern" that is at our local theatre. What fun, and a fun night to share with my wonderful son, his grandma and dad. Not to mention the delicious Brewery Fish Fry (you by order have to be from Midwest to understand that word "fishfry"). I hope you can remember it, if it is around in the future, check it out again...

I read somewhere that "a grateful heart is a happy heart". Somedays, if may feel difficult to feel grateful or happy; I should know... I could complain about anything and everything.  Then, I started reading about other people whose lives were so much more difficult and challenging. Yet they kept a happy spirit, and they forgave and they journaled!

Keeping all those small & big blessings written may make it easier. So today I want to encourage you to pick a beautiful notebook, and start writing the blessings in your life. It could be from the past memories, or present; it could be as small as a cup of coffee that tasted so delicious to a free upgrade while traveling. It could be a simple saying you saw that spoke to your heart. Or a gorgeous sight that took your breath away. What a lovely way to transform a perceived mundane tasks into opportunities to give thanks and smile.

"Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on, Hold fast, Hold out. Patience is genius."

 Comte Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon

Till next time... with love, laughter and hugs for now and always

Happy 2010 New Year, New Beginnings, New Tips

What an amazing year is awaiting us. New year brings its new beginnings, new hopes, new goals.

In the past (long time ago, I assure you), I used to get so discouraged and fearful with every new year; as I welcomed it with hopes that were so low, I could step on them. Here's a few to make you laugh:

Maybe (always good to have a goal starts with maybe, to show how committed I am to accomplishing) this will be the year I will lose that (10, 20, 30...lbs) extra weight, will start exercising, will take better care of myself, will eat better, be kind, be good, be thoughtful (replace the adjective of choice)... On and on the list went, but the list came with a mandatory second attachment : "I probably won't". So as the self fulfilling prophecies go, I really did accomplish the second part "I probably won't" over and over again year after year. I was truly consistent. I did not lose a single pound, actually gained more, got more in debt, ate like a pig, ("exercise?" what's that?) I could not even spell the word without breaking into a sweat...

That all changed, when I decided one day " To Thine Ownself Be True". As I realized I was not honest with myself . I made excuses, covered up for myself, convinced myself worse was better for the moment. If I was my friend, I would have stopped being friends long ago. So, I made a promise to "try to be good to myself". Which meant that I loved myself enough to take better care of myself, my life and in turn be good to others.

Self love is like orange juice inside an orange (yes it sounds strange, but hear me out). When you squeeze an orange, you expect orange juice to come out. But if the orange is all dried out, you know however much you squeeze you won't get one drop out... So, if I did not have love, respect, and appreciation of myself, how could I give and extend these values to others around me. This started my quest for searching, reading, praying and meditating to find better ways for everything in life and for me... And what an awesome, challenging but inspiring journey it has been and it is continuing to be...It brought so many great experiences, wisdom, joy, peace, prosperity, love, great people into my life and continues to do so...

Since the journey has been ongoing for the last 5 years, and will go on forever, I will share little nuggets of it daily, rather than in one post... One of the biggest starting steps besides learning to love yourself, is to give yourself the gift of hope... Here's how:

-Close your eyes, and think how peaceful, happy, and healthy your life and you could be, if you knew there is nothing to fear

-Then, keep that image in your mind, see yourself happy, healthy, prosperous, joyful, at peace

-Write down, how and where you see yourself next year, in 10 years, in 20 years... Write down, your wishes it may seem absurd, but trust me... It works... It may be winning to lottery or moving to France or finding your ideal spouse, or getting along with your family... Write it down to your heart's content. There is no right or wrong length, or content. Keep writing.

-Then fold the paper, and put it under your pillow. Sleep on it. Next day put in your wallet, and carry it with you. Whenever you need a bit of hope, pull it out and read it through. And best part is: when you see the list of wishes coming through, write " already accomplished" and keep it to remind you, what your faith, your belief and your vision had brought you.

I leave you with one of my favorite Irish blessings today:

May God be with you and bless you. May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but happinessfrom this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand