Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Life Perspective


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 in 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, and 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 elses, 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.

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Sunday Social 8/3/14

Hi y'll! I can't believe it's August already. (frowny face)
 
 
 
I'm linking up with Ashley and Neely for another Sunday Social.
 
1. Gum or mints? - Well, I have braces, so mints is definitely the way I go.
 
 
2. Tea or Coffee? - Hmm, this is tough. I NEED my coffee in the morning, but I love sweet tea and a hot green tea at night. So I'm going to say it's a draw.
 
3. Fruits or Veggies? - I love fruit, it's nature's candy! Lately I've been eating a lot more fruit and the craving for other candy is pretty much gone.
 
4. TV or Movies? - I always tell people I have 'Movie ADD.' I seriously cannot sit through a movie unless I'm at a theater watching it. So I definitely prefer TV out of the two.
 
5. Candles or Diffusers? - Candles. All the way. Slightly obessed with Bath and Body Works candles. Just slightly.

 
 
Thank you for visting my site on this wonderful Sunday. Please check out my other website, Imperfectly Healthy to see my journey towards better health and fitness.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Flea Market Book Haul

One of my favorite places to pick up 'new' books is a flea market. At the one I go to there are 2 booths that I visit, each one selling books for between $2 and $3. That's a really, really good deal for books that normally cost, on average, $15 to $20! Now granted, you won't find the newest releases, but it's a great way to pick up some older books to add to your collection. 

Another great aspect of only paying a few bucks for a book is that, if you don't like it or can't get into reading it, you only paid a small amount for it. I don't feel like I've wasted money and I usually donate to book to a local charity. 

I try to go about every 3 months. This gives me times to read some, if not all, of the book I picked up last time, but also allows for a new variety of books to be circulated in. 

 

On my last visit, I picked up quite a few books and have been diligently reading them.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So, I picked all these books recently and I don't think I spent more that $20.00 on all of them. I normally add the books I've purchased to my Goodreads 'To Read' list.
 
I know a lot of people have a certain perception of what flea markets are and ours certainly is by no means better than any other. I just think, especially if you're an avid reader like I am and you like building a library, it's worth checking out.
 
Please let me know in the comments below if you also purchase books from a flea market or second hand source and if you've found any really good gems.
 
Thanks!