Revealing A Myth: the real Regina Brett

By now you’ve read the post – 45 LIFE LESSONS – it’s a wonderful column filled with rich life lessons. This column was written by Regina Brett, and she is always correctly credited as the author of the column EXCEPT FOR ONE FACT… she is not 90 years old. This column has been posted, re-posted, emailed, and sent around the Internet accompanied by a photo of an older, chic lady wearing glasses ... 

          

THE LADY IN THE GLASSES

Iris Apfel - Fashion Icon

The woman wearing the glasses seemed very familiar to me and so I did a little research and found out she is actually Iris Apfel, an American Business woman and fashion icon (naturally look at those glasses – how fab are they???) In 1950 she and her husband Carl Apfel launched "Old World Weavers" - a textile company, the company closed in 1992.  Iris Apfel worked on numerous design restoration projects, including work on the White House for nine different Presidents. Apfel is an inspiration in her own right, she just celebrated her 91^st birthday and is still going strong, she just debuted a handbag line at Henri Bendel’s.

WHAT'S WITH THE WRONG PHOTO? 
It was extremely easy for me to find accurate information on the real Regina Brett - who know's why someone felt the need to use a photo of Iris Apfel.  Maybe someone wanted to lend more validity to the column titled "Life Lessons" because let's face it hearing life advice from a woman in her 90's just seems, well, it does seem more valid.  The truth is the column is just as profound and stands on its own merit what ever photo credit it is accompanied by. 

THE REAL REGINA BRETT

Regina Brett - http://www.reginabrett.com/about.php

Regina Brett is a renowned columnist, and author. She is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist and has many other impressive journalism awards to her credit.  

45 LIFE LESSONS

Regina Brett http://www.reginabrett.com/about.php

Regina Brett wrote the column the night before she was to turn 45. On her website she explains that two of her aunts had died of breast cancer before turning 45.  At 41 Regina Brett battled breast cancer and so at 45 years old she was feeling grateful to be alive.  The idea for the list came out of a stream of consciousness fueled by gratitude and reflection. Here’s that list…

THE ORIGINAL 45 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. 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 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.

When Regina turned 50 she added these 5 to the list

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.