Quoting my way through Grief

I (used to) secretly mock people who’d rely on self-help books or resort to weird activities, to get through a crisis. I won’t go into specifics because I might just die on the spot, but let’s just say I was never a fan of Oprah, Chicken Soup, or silly antics such as writing to yourself. No offense. 

But, in honor of those going through something similar or those that share my current disposition on life and its curveballs… and in full admission of my lame-ass way of dealing with grief (I quoted my way through it), here are 50 things to think about—the 50 quotes that got me out of bed and out of my personal dumpster.

Here are Regina Brett’s 50 Lessons on finding and holding on to happiness from her book,  “Life’s Little Detours”

(In red are those that helped me snap out of my bitter trance)

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next right 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. The most important sex organ is the brain.

10. God never gives us more than we were destined to carry.

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 life hands you if you stay put in the day you are in and don’t jump ahead.

18. A writer is someone who 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 anything for a special occasion. Today is special enough.

22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. Start saving 10 percent for retirement as soon as you get your first paycheck.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness. You are the CEO of your joy.

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 looks good only in movies.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. No matter what your faith, they cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else’s, we’d fight to get back our own.

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 everything you truly need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up for life.

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.