A Gem From My Inbox

By inbox, I’m referring to the numerous ways I receive communications from family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances and even strangers. These can include Facebook, email, etc.

I’ve never been one to give my friends a hard time about forwarding emails to me. After all, some of them have provided me with a good laugh, a sentimental tear or two, or just inspiration and raised spirits. Although I don’t forward these emails because I know most people don’t like them, I do appreciate some of the ones I receive.

I understand the fear associated with viruses and malware, but as long as I have my AVG antivirus, iObit Malware Fighter and iObit Advanced Systemcare, I feel pretty secure.

I’ve always lived my computing life as though my computer will crash on me in the next 24 hours. You never know, it just may. As a matter of fact it has happened a couple of times.

So, I make sure to save all my user files to an external hard drive and keep a backup copy. This includes software I have paid for and downloaded, so I won’t have to go looking for it again later. I also include a note sheet with the activation codes, keys, and such that are needed to use the software. These precautions enable me to completely reinstall Windows and my system to factory settings and restart with a clean slate every six months or so. I’m always amazed at the difference afterward.

Most of us don’t really need to buy that new computer. We just need to clear the clutter from the old one.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do the same with our home – and even our own lives?

One of the communications I mentioned above was the inspiration for this post and you’ll find it below. It was posted on facebook by an old friend and I love it. The woman who wrote this was as wise as you’d expect for someone living in her 90th year.

I agree with all of her advice and I’m working hard to live by it. Some areas need much more work than others, but I’m persevering.

What I want to look like when I grow up.

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Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the 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.
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.“