Recently Chad’s girlfriend Devin sent me some great advice from an old column written by Regina Brett and I thought it was worth sharing.
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 okay 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. 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 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.
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.
I love and agree with all 47 suggestions but #16 hits home the most right now. I’m trying with all of my strength to choose living.
Thank you, Devin.
Live Simple, Love Like Crazy 
This is a fantastic list. Reminders of what we already know: In this moment, life is beautiful, and this moment is all we have.
i absolutely loved this, it’s taken me getting older to realize or to start seeing most of this for what it says as it is in life. That what matters most in life is what is on the inside, not to take life for granted and that we must live life for us. oh and to appreciate the beauty in the most simplest of things (the purple flower) It’s funny, i don’t think i ever realized that my mom was more than just a mom until recently. I’ve realized that she has been so many things in her life, most importantly a strong woman to her self. I look at her and finally see her as a person. While my mom might not be as physically strong as she used to be 20 years ago, i feel as if her strength is coming to me.
Thank you for sharing your life, your thoughts, feelings, stories. They are truly inspiring.
with much love
devin
They told me 20 years ago that I probably only had a year to live. I planned as well as I could, then shrugged my shoulders and kept living. Today, I am still “dying”–but, am too busy to worry about it.
Rosemary, #16 is a tough one to get past, most especially in your situation. I must admit that although my situation is absolutely nothing compared to yours, I suffer from the “pity party” affliction. We are all telling you what an inspiration you are to us, and it is very true, but now you have to see it in yourself lady!
I look forward to your blogs because no matter how difficult my days seem, they pale in comparison to the shitty ALS card you were dealt and are making the best of. They put me in perspective and makes me grateful for even my lowest days.
You brighten, enlighten and inspire me/us and while you probably see it as getting through day-to-day, it is a blessing and you are a gift to us (friends & family).
God Bless You! for blessing us with the gift of You!
XXOO ~ Julee
amen sister…I love you and life!