Keeping Life In Balance

Living in a world that is spinning at a frenetic pace, we all long for balance in life as we juggle daily responsibilities.

The start of the new year is filled with lists. Lists of the top news stories from the previous year. Lists of the hottest pop culture trends. Lists of resolutions we intent to keep. Lists of resolutions most commonly broken.

The list goes on.

Maybe you've received an Internet chain letter titled, "Regina Brett's 50 Life Lessons." A columnist for the "Plain Dealer" in Cleveland at the time, Brett wrote 45 lessons to celebrate her 45^th birthday, and then added five more when she turned 50. That was six years ago.

Today, Brett is a "New York Times" bestselling author. Her original life lessons list has been her most-requested column ever and has circulated the globe for years. Yet, it often contains the same erroneous information: that she compiled her list upon turning 90.

(Well, as Abraham Lincoln has been quoted on the web as saying, "You can't believe everything you read on the Internet.")

Regardless, the lessons Brett offers for keeping life in balance – especially while you're juggling school, family and work obligations – is timeless.

Life Lessons

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 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. 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. Overprepare, 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 - dying young.

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.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Which are your favorites? Or do you have some advice of your own? Please share in the comments.

Source: www.reginabrett.com

Image credits:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elycefeliz/5840252469/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksganesh/8083853166/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trailsource/4744003781/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/796331708/