found

I thought it was only appropriate that I shared a link to Found Magazine… which publishes found notes, photos etc I find it fascinating to read… and I figure it will end up being a very cool resource when I am stuck for something to write about. I am pretty sure I can create entire novels out of these found notes…

50 Lessons Life Taught Me by Regina Brett

This was too good to ignore – thoughtfully written this list hits home for me. I like it

- la

50 Lessons Life Taught Me

By Regina Brett

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

 It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. When my odometer rolled over to 50, I updated the list.

Here 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. 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…

Regina Brett is the author of God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours. Her book is an inspirational collection of essays and stories about the lessons life taught her along the detours of life. 
 
She was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist twice, in 2009 and 2008 for columns she wrote for The Plain Dealer, Ohio’s largest newspaper. Learn more at www.reginabrett.com

welcome to my think box. it is bright red.

Welcome to my think box. It is bright red.

Today, my think box takes the form of a suitcase. Have suitcase will travel. My think box is red because that is my favorite colour. Red makes me happy. Thinking makes me happy too (well most days it does) but this little cyber corner  isn’t about thinking. This space is about shoving things into the think box to deal with later – to ponder, muse, roll around with, poke at and see what comes out the other side.

I have decided to create this space to put the odds and sods I trip and drip over on an average or unaverage day. Things in my think box inspire me, provoke me, spark my imagination or light a fire under me. In short, anything and everything that makes me stop and think.

Whatever arrives arrives. I will share it here because I don’t want to forget. Forgetting is bad. I want my think box to be good good good!

welcome to my think box. we shall have some fun won’t we? well, I sure as heck will!

la

Death ~ Deng Ming Dao

Dying

Leaden blankets weigh her down
White hanks drape her leathery face
Caught in the numbness of narrowing time,
Eyes blinded by gauze.
Robotic sighs echo into her coma.
Metallic hiss of breathing machine is the
Strange violence of modern compassion

What do we do when those we care deeply about are dying while we go on living and working? We might be tempted to indulge our own feeling of injustice, sadness or fear but we should think first of those who are dying. We have a responsibility to be with them.
Don’t let others die lonely. No matter how ironic your living may compare with their dying, act for them as they can no longer act. If they reach out for some way to cope with their impending end, you need not have flowery words. Merely being with them, perhaps reaching out to hold hands, is eloquence enough. Death may be near but any amount of time before it comes is precious.
Life’s moments are not cheapened by death. Just to observe and affirm is good. After all, death waits for all of us. Only the value we place on each minute determines the quality of life. If we can embrace that, then no one’s life is ruined by death.
-    Deng Ming Dao

{The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony}

I just love this song… it’s great to drive to… spend the 4:48 doing whatever to

{Arcade Fire – We used to wait}

 

I watched the livestream of this concert… wished that I could have been there in person. Love this band and it is so good to see them getting recognized for their music!

{Alphaville – Forever Young}

One of my all time very favorite songs, and it’s been on my mind lately. This song brings back a lot of memories.

{Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way}

{Garbage – All the good in this life}

 
Once when I was a girlI could’ve given you a ride for your money

Oh but how times have changed

Although you do look cute in those red cowboy boots

No you don’t mess around

But you’re just a kid

You don’t know what it takes
No one can stop you now

Anymore than they can tell the wind not to blow

Who’s going to run you now?

With the riders in the dirt back on Aztalan turf I can’t tell you what to do

You’re free as a birdGo do what you’ve got to do

Don’t you worry boy Life will come and find you

You’re going to blow their minds Show them all a thing or two

Don’t you worry boy Life will come and find you

You’re going to blow their minds Show them all a thing or two
All the good in this life wish for yourself

All the good in this life wish for yourself

All the good in this life wish for yourself

All the good in this life wish for yourself

 

{Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal}