Chain Mail

Believe it or not, I had a devil of a time trying to find a single photograph of a chain in my not so small inventory of images. This is all I could find with the time that I had.

I generally don't care much for those chain mail emails that are so prolific across the internet. They generally are interesting but I hate the feeling of obligation that comes with them, an obligation to forward them to others in your circle, many of whom guard their privacy dearly and find them immensely annoying. Well one arrived in my in-box about a week ago that listed 45 lessons of life. The lessons struck a chord with me - perhaps because the anniversary of 9/11 is just a few days away and that always makes me feel a bit philisophical and a lot grateful. So I'm sharing these with you now, hoping they may strike a chord with you too.

These were reportedly written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio. Those that truly resonated with me are highlighted. Let me know those that rang true to you.

"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."

 

Comments

[ally]

very thought provoking.

[Claudia]

Got any lessons of your own?

[Charlie Dickerman]

Boy, I like this! I'm sharing!!!!