A must read from one strong lady with her truths. (Borrowed from a friend on facebook.)

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 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. 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... Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all 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 but don't forget.

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 in the end is that you loved.

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. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what 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 with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Several weeks ago, I was selected to be part of a launch team for Tricia Goyer's 2013 fiction releases.  I am proud to provide my review of her first 2013 release.  I love it!!

                     

(From the back cover)
SOMETIMES THE LOVE WE'VE ALWAYS WANTED IS THE ONE WE'VE ALWAYS HAD. 
Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from a major recording contract-a dream come true for a girl still struggling to bury the memories of the past.  Wanting to talk to someone with her best interests in mind, she looks up her former fiance, Brett Miller, in Glacier Bay, Alaska.  There, the stunning scenery provides a respite from LA's pressures, and Ginny finds community among the charming residents.  She also discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the tale of Clay, an early missionary to Alaska, and  Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children's governess.  As their story unfolds, Ginny just might discover that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places.

My Review:

Not only is this an inspirational story, through their actual research of this real life place (Glacier Bay, Alaska), you can visually see yourself there.  

With the historical along with contemporary stories, it gives the book a nice diversity that complements each other.  It is two love stories from two different periods in time.  1920's and current day. The authors took their own sections to write and brought them together in such a way that kept you guessing.  Goyer wrote Ginny's story and Fleiss wrote Ellie's.  With two different styles of writing, the story was told in each unique way that formed a wonderful union.

If you are seeking a book that you can share to not only your friends, but to your daughters, this is the book. I highly recommend this book to everyone.  I simply could not put this book down.

These authors truly go along with the theme of this blog. They are strong women who represent their faith in God with integrity. I feel honored to be part of their Launch team of this new book. May there be many more.

About the Authors

TRICIA GOYER is the best-selling author of more than thirty novels, including NIGHT SONG, which won a Carol Award in 2005, and Dawn of a Thousand Nights, which won the same award in 2006.  Her co-authored novel, The Swiss Courier was a Christy Award nominee.  She has also authored nine nonfiction books and more than three hundred articles for national publications.  In 2003, Tricia was one of two authors named "Writer of the Year" at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference, and she has been interviewed by Focus on the Family, Moody Midday Connection, The Harvest Show, NBC's Monday Today, Aspiring Women, and hundreds of other radio and television stations.  Tricia and her husband, John, have 4 children and one grandchild.  She currently lives in Arkansas.

OCIEANNA FLEISS has cowritten two historical novels with Tricia Goyer:  Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana and Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington.  She has written for several publications, including CBA Marketplace and Guideposts, and contributes a bi-monthly column to the Northwest Christian Author.  Ocieanna has edited many of Tricia Goyer's novels and nonfiction titles.  An avid historian, she teaches home-schooled junior high students intense history classes involving considerable research and creative methods of bringing history to life.  She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their four children.

Disclosure:  I am a member of Tricia Goyer's 2013 Official Launch Team.  I received a complimentary copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska.  All opinions are my own.