This was an email sent to me and from all the things that I read on the internet, it is probably true.  Either way it makes you think.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old.   “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 to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch .
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. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
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 but 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. 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. You already have all 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.”

Which ones are your favorites and what makes them special to you? OR Share a favorite one that you have.

Caption:  “I know he stole my coffee…”

 How does caffeine effect you?

I assume that most have heard about the BP, which is partly owned by the United States, oil spill effecting my country’s (U.S.) progress.  This is considered the largest environmental disaster.  The effect on the wildlife and the livelihood of of those whom need the gulf for their income including shrimp, crab and many more see life.  This also effects tourism income.  I understand how difficult this situation is to resolve in the mean time it is beginning to take a human toll.

What  would you survive if your livelihood and way of life were suddenly taken from you?  What is the media in your area telling you?

Anyone been watching the World Cup? Today sees the final drama of the South Africa 2010 world cup unfold, when Spain and the Netherlands meet in the final tonight in Soccer City, Johannesburg . For a whole month, football lovers have been treated to a feast from the finest teams and players across the planet.

The social gap — between spectator and performer — appears huge. Few of us can match the wealth, never-mind skill, ingenuity, or professionalism to perform on such a stage. Watch closely, however, and at times a more familiar human side of footballers is visible. They may not live in our “world” as such, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think and act as humans generally do.

Often games are decided with literally one kick of the ball. In one quarter final, Ghana were granted such an opportunity against Uruguay. With the score tied at 1-1 in the final few seconds of extra time, a Uruguay player handled the ball, Ghana were awarded a penalty. Forward Asamoah Gyan stepped up to the spot. With this one kick he had the chance to put his country Ghana — at this stage Africa’s last representatives at  the South Africa 2010 World Cup — into the semi-finals. Under the most extreme pressure, Gyan opted for power….and missed. The ball ricocheted off the cross bar, and the game went into penalties to decide the winner. Ghana missed two of their allotted penalties, and so it was Uruguay’s chance to win the match with one kick. Forward Sebastian Abreu — nickname, El Loco (Spanish for madman) — stepped up to the spot. This footballer opted not for power. With the lightest of touches, he outsmarted the goalkeeper by chipping the ball almost right into the centre of the goal. Uruguay were in ecstasy. Ghana in agony.

But what about those two crucial kicks: the one for Ghana, the other for Uruguay. From one angle you could say that both cases exposed the weakness of Ghana players under pressure. In the first case the forward Gyan relied on brute force — and missed. In the second case, it was the Ghana goalkeeper who was left looking rather silly…because had he simply stayed where was, he would have been in the perfect position to simply catch the ball and prevent Uruguay winning. Of course, we know why the goalkeeper didn’t “stay”. Had he simply kept his position, in the centre, he would have looked even sillier had the forward put the ball either side of him. Perhaps the Uruguay forward Abreu must have known that too…because think how silly he would have looked had he missed with such an seemingly tame effort! (At least Ghana’s forward and their goalkeeper tried…right?)

Well, now cognitive scientists have discovered an ‘action bias’ during penalties. Their findings seem to demonstrate the human side, or social rationality, of footballers. Among their conclusions they noted that “Goalkeepers feel a pressure to act because they would feel guiltier missing a ball while staying in the centre than missing it while trying to do something…”  And, “Kickers…act in a way that is going to minimize reproach rather than only the chances of missing.”

So, all this has got me thinking…How much do our thoughts and actions come from our “social rationality” — basically, not wanting to look silly — and how much from a more positive desire to achieve the best for ourselves and those around us? Where exactly does your ‘action bias’ lie?

Today is the fourth of July in the United States which is also known as Independence Day!!  Please watch the videos below to learn about Independence Day and  a Celebration of my country.

What represents to you patriatism bout your country or country of origin?  Do share and include your country.