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Life is to be LIVED!!

🤙42 lessons life taught me 💖

👵Written by a 90 year old!!❤️

Regina Brett, 90 years old, Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 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 – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.💖

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. (I love this one)

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

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

41. Yield.

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

https://fabliyo.com/legendary-grizzly-bear-399-defies-odds-with-17th-cub-amid-aging-years/

Who Else is Annoyed Besides Me??

Dear Targets, Kohl’s, Walmarts, ALDIs, Home Depot , Giant Eagle & all other stores that have self checkout.

You are heading towards almost exclusively self-checkout now.

The lady checking receipts at the exit was stopping everyone.

I didn't choose to participate in that nonsense, I had already

🛒filled my cart

🛒emptied my cart

🛒scanned the items

🛒refilled my cart

and so I just skipped the exit line and left.

I heard her saying "umm - Excuse me “ as I kept walking and raised the receipt above my head, leaving the store.

You can either trust me to do self-checkout, or you can put your cashiers back in place like it used to be.

• I'm not interested in proving that I did your job for you.

• If you want me to be a cashier with no training then that's your problem not mine.

• Keep employing young people and give them job opportunities.

YOU DON'T PAY ME TO SCAN MY OWN SHOPPING.

YOU DON’T GIVE ME STAFF DISCOUNT FOR WORKING FOR YOU.

Signed ......All of us

These are jobs that are needed to have for young and old …..

Copied and pasted, because I agree 100%.

SPREAD IT AROUND

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Embracing the Challenge:

The Joyful Rewards of Type 2 Fun

Life is full of adventures, some exhilarating and others a bit more challenging. Among these, there exists a special category known as "Type 2 Fun" - experiences that may be uncomfortable or even frustrating in the moment but leave us with fond memories and valuable lessons. Embracing Type 2 Fun offers a unique set of benefits that can enrich our lives and foster personal growth.

At first glance, Type 2 Fun moments may seem daunting, requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and face uncertainty. Whether it's conquering a difficult hiking trail, learning a new skill, or enduring a physically demanding activity, these experiences push us beyond our perceived limits. The beauty of Type 2 Fun lies in the resilience it cultivates within us. As we navigate challenges and adapt to unforeseen circumstances, we develop an inner strength that stays with us long after the adventure ends.

Additionally, Type 2 Fun teaches us the art of perseverance. Embracing moments of discomfort and pushing through them builds our determination and tenacity. These experiences serve as powerful reminders that growth and achievement often demand persistence, and the sense of accomplishment derived from overcoming such hurdles can be incredibly rewarding.

Beyond the personal growth aspect, Type 2 Fun fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among participants. Sharing these challenging moments with others creates lasting bonds and memories that unite us through a shared journey of overcoming obstacles. These shared experiences often turn into cherished stories that bring laughter and camaraderie long after the adventure concludes.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of Type 2 Fun is its ability to shift our perspective on life. As we willingly embrace discomfort and uncertainty, we learn to appreciate the journey itself rather than solely focusing on the destination. We develop a deeper understanding of ourselves, our capabilities, and our limits, allowing us to live more authentically and mindfully.

In conclusion, while Type 2 Fun might not always be the most comfortable or immediately gratifying, its benefits are immeasurable. Through these challenging moments, we grow stronger, become more determined, and build meaningful connections with others. As we continue to embrace Type 2 Fun, we open ourselves to a world of opportunities for personal growth and joy, discovering the true essence of what it means to live life to the fullest. So, the next time you find yourself faced with a Type 2 Fun opportunity, embrace it wholeheartedly and savor the rewards it brings. -Milt-

Check out Milt’s Blog - Happiness Behind Bars

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Tab Keeps it REAL! Somebody Needs to Hear This!

It’s not about being mad, it’s about being honest.

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Water

An Essay

By K. Moody Hoskins

The ocean is such an incredible representation of God in nature. The power it commands. The strength it holds. The treasures it owns. All are part of its mystic, its wonder, its attraction. It baffles me the way I’m drawn to it. When you grow up in a coastal area, you’re surrounded by water. Though not in our front-yard, the routine navigation of bridges and tunnels served as reminders of its presence. My childhood is dotted with memories of dates, family outings and Sunday afternoon drives; all with the beach in mind. It was our Disney Land and I never tired of it.

In high school on weekend hangout nights, I was the one who typically suggested we make the 30-minute drive to the oceanfront. During the summer Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach was like the Las Vegas strip, minus the casinos. Cruising in my dad’s car with my crew, windows down, Cool and the Gang blasting on the radio, was how we spent many summer Friday and Saturday nights. Since I was usually the one driving, we would end up at some secluded part of the beach where there was only the sound of the surf, sand, and the warm breeze of the wind. There is something magical about the beach at night. Being that close to a giant with little more than moonlight to guide your way is like sneaking into an amusement park after the crowds have gone and the rides and lights have all been turned off. It feels like you shouldn’t be there but something unexplained compels you to stay.

As much as I love water, I have a deep respect for it. It might even be interpreted as fear. I never learned to swim very well and the thought of being in water over my head has always terrified me. I’ve wondered if something happened when I was a kid that caused my fear? It makes no sense that I would love something so much but at the same time be so intimidated by it. In my mind drowning would be one of the worse possible deaths. In college I was determined to conquer my fear, so I took swimming as an elective. In the shallow end of the pool, I mastered floating and was able to demonstrate fairly good form with the backstroke and the butterfly. For the final exam each student had to jump three times off the side of the 20-foot end of the pool, touch bottom, and swim back to the top. I barely accomplished that feat one time during the semester and now I was faced with doing it three times in a row. Yes, I was scared!

On the day of the final exam, most students were able to do their three jumps in record time and were on their way to the locker room to change. As I stood on the side staring down into the water, preparing to make my first jump, all the things that could possibly go wrong ran through my head. What if I get to the bottom and can’t swim back up? What if my lungs begin to fill with water before someone can rescue me? What if after I jump, no one sees that I’m in trouble and my lungs fill with water and I……dr. That word frightened me so much I couldn’t even say it in my head. Finally, I did get up the courage to make my first jump and surprised myself when I made it back to the top. My heart was pounding so hard I literally thought it would explode. What if my heart burst and I’m in the water and no one sees me and I….

After catching my breath and managing to calm myself, I was able to make the second jump fairly easily. Again, I made it to the top. By that time, the rest of the class was long gone. A class of 15 had dwindled to one student. I stood alone by the side of the pool preparing to make the final jump. After the rest of the class left it brought down a wall of silence. It was just me and my instructor at that point, and she was obviously ready to be done with me so she could get on with her life. “Go ahead, Karen, you can do it! This is the last one,” she yelled from about 50 feet away. I took a deep breath and jumped. Like twice before, I managed to touch the bottom and make my way to the top. Obviously, none of the what ifs happened, and I passed the course. The thing is, after all of that, I still can’t swim worth crap!

The ocean has offered me perspective when I’ve been confused; calm when I’ve been anxious and peace when I’ve been worried. Its provided a sweet meeting place with God and He has always met me there. When my mother died, the evening after the funeral everyone had gone except, my sister, two brothers, and our spouses. We were dazed, wandering around in the house where we had grown up that was now so still and quiet. None of us seemed sure if it was time to leave or if we should stay a while longer. I found Richard and suggested we take a ride down to the beach. We drove to that same beach where I had made so many memories growing up. Decades had passed, but that beach was still there waiting. Just like in the past, when life seemed overwhelming it was there to bring peace and comfort. He and I found a bench on the boardwalk facing the water. It was evening in early September, and the air was already changing. There was a bit of a chill and the wind coming off the water was strong and coming right at us. It was just after Labor Day, so the crowds had dwindled. We sat close, his arm around me, not saying a word. We share the same love for the beach and have often talked about the therapy we both have found there. There was nothing that needed to be said, so we sat close and he gave me the time I needed to feel the sorrow that had defined that day.

I feel blessed to have found my place on the planet that makes me feel whole and connected with the holy spirit. Everyone needs a place like that. A friend posted a survey on his Facebook page that read, if you could have anything in the world you wanted what would it be? I was intrigued by the question and began pondering my response. A few things came to mind. The first was that I wanted to continue writing. But then I thought, I’m already writing and if it’s part of God’s plan for me to be famous one, I will gladly receive that. But that wasn’t the wish I wanted to make. Then of course, I thought about world peace, but that would have been way too cliché. Then like an awakening, it was crystal clear. If I could have anything….my wish would be to spend the rest of my days living oceanfront at the beach!

(adapted from an essay originally written in 2015)

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