44 Things I have learned in 44 years

1. Parents were people before they were parents with their own lives, dramas and joys.
2. A stitch in time does save nine.
3. Laughter, while not the best, is fantastic medicine.
4. "Turn that frown upside down" while hard, can really work.
5. Don't buy into the 'need to consume' lifestyle.
6. Homemade is better than just about anything. Homegrown too.
7. Spell correctly. Also use the correct words in the proper way.
8. Actions speak louder than words.
9. Corporate America will do anything they can to sell you anything. Don't buy it.
10. Being a mom really IS like having your heart walk around outside your body.
11. Being a mom is the best thing in the whole world.
12. It's also the most frustrating.
13. Eat well, keep moving, laugh, love, find the joy in the every day.
14. Save your money.
15. Don't ever give up on your hopes and dreams, they may not happen immediately or happen in the way you thought they would but they will happen.
16. A good imagination will take you far, exercise yours daily
17. Losing yourself in a book is a true pleasure.
18. So is a bubble bath.
19. Marrying the right person will add years to your life.
20. Those ideas you have in your mind about how things are supposed to be? Give them up and you'll be much happier than you ever thought possible.
21. Don't eat processed food.
22. Educate yourself, never stop learning.
23. Create, doesn't matter what it is, creating something is magical.
24. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
25. Life is too short to drink cheap wine or eat cheap food.
26. Life is too short to hang around people who detract from your happiness rather than add to it.
27. Keep in touch with your friends from days gone by.
28. Get outside.
29. Don't try and control other people. Also don't judge them.
30. Practice empathy.
31. Make love not war.
32. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. Or until they're full grown.
33. This too shall pass.
34. Glitter pens can make the most boring of lists joyful.
35. Beauty is only skin deep.
36. Good food is a glorious pleasure and we should all be encouraged to savor and enjoy. It should never be a cause for guilt, we should never feel bad about it nor should we abuse it.
37. Explore your world. Travel when you can.
38. I love bread. I also love pasta.
39. Being close to members of your family is a marvelous thing.
40. There is no reason to hold on to a toxic friendship. If they don't make you feel better when you're with them, then there is no need remain friends.
41. Don't believe what everyone tells you, do your own research, figure things out for yourself.
42. Forgive. Yourself and others.
43. Breathe.
44. In the words of the immortal Mame, "LIVE LIVE LIVE, life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death".