A couple months ago I mentioned finding some things that I had put away for safe keeping. Today I am back to one of those ideas. My cousin found this and shared it with me. I read it and put it away for future reference.

In other countries the old are revered, but in our country, they are either shut away in institutions or left on their own in many cases. Let me assure you my family is not like that. They help me when I need help. Even the grandchildren are eager to help with things.

As the piece came to me it was titled “45 Lessons Life Taught.” It was published in “The Plain Dealer” in Cleveland Ohio. Credit was given to Regine Brett who at the time of the writing of the piece was 90 years old. If she is alive today she would be well over 100 years today. I thought the ideas were quite inciteful.

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 e very 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. Love your parents because they will be gone before you know it.

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 others 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 and parents 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. 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.

I hope that all of these wonderful ideas gave you food for thought. Life is short – handle with prayer.

According to Albert Einstein. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” What you choose makes all the difference.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.