March 3, 2010

Lessons in Life

Acknowledge Him in all thy ways and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

A friend sent me the following via an e-mail just before Christmas. Sorry I can’t provide you with the accompanying pictures and music but I think you’ll find it very meaningful just the way it is.

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 each month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It is more healing than crying alone.
8. It's okay 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 your present.
12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare yourself 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 because 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 is the end is that you’re loved.
39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we 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 everything 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 up with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

With your life experiences, I’m sure you could come up with some additional life lessons to add to this list.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness that sustain us as we learn life’s lessons.

Pat Deck