Lessons list: Refrigerator-door worthy

A recent post on a blog that I visit often featured a reprint of "The 45 Lessons Life Taught Me," a column attributed to Regina Brett of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.  I think I may have read these some years ago in print, and the more recent column was an update. As things often go in the blogosphere, the column has gone viral. The fact that she was writing with such energy at 90 years old blew me away.

I had to google her. Turns out that somehow age “50” became “90” when her column was passed along on the Internet. She had updated her list of life lessons from 45 to 50 in celebration of birthday number 50. When I first saw her photo, I was still under the impression she was 90. Awe and, I admit it, jealousy! Regardless of her age, her life lessons are worth a second look, a third look, or maybe a look every day, no matter how many years’ you have experienced.

A few samples:

Lesson 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

Lesson 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. (The version of this bit of wisdom that I grew up with was “Use the good dishes. Who are you saving them for, your husband’s second wife?”)

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

The pithy list of “lessons” articulated many of my own life lessons, learned from the consequences of wrong choices or selfishness, some from just living and some from the wisdom shared by loving parents, husband, relatives, friends and even my children.

For more -- and the complete list -- from this gifted writer:

Brett’s “official” life-lessons column

Regina Brett Web site

Thanks to Kris at A Shelter from the Storm for alerting me to Regina Brett’s “lessons.”