In a search to find some inspiration for this column, I found myself on Tumblr – half of me looking for something interesting to write about, and the other half wanting to do nothing more than procrastinate

And there it was. Amidst all the “Glee” screen-caps and pictures of kittens flooding my dashboard, there was a link to a column written by a journalist named Regina Brett.

Suddenly my eyes were moving faster than my mind as I skimmed through the words of a writer, who in only the first few sentences of her column, began to sound like a creative genius.

The article was called “45 Lessons and 5 to Grow on,” and was published in her local paper, The Plain Dealer, in 2006. Brett wrote this as an updated version of her previous, highly praised column in which she listed 45 life lessons to live by. In the spirit of celebrating her 50th birthday, the columnist added five more to her collection.

What caught my eye about Brett’s column was not only her creative humor but her painful honesty. Even before finishing the first 10 can a reader see that she wrote these lessons after learning each and every single one – and learning them the hard way.

This also caught the eye of Pulitzer Prize committees who nominated the journalist in 2009 for “her range of compelling columns that move the heart, challenge authority and often trigger action while giving readers deeper insight into life’s waiting.” Drama Queen, I know. But six years later I can say that I’ve truly learned that even time needs time.

#29: What other people think of you is none of your business. Perfect. Truer words have never been spoken (or written).

And finally, Brett’s final lesson…

#50: Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift. Sometimes it’s hard to realize that the problems we face aren’t the end of the world but with the holiday season around the corner, maybe it will be just a little bit easier to remember to be thankful for the most important gift of all.

And so, I reblogged this little old Tumblr post hoping to pass on one of the best columns I’ve ever read to my small group of followers.

As for me, I plan to make a list of my own both by learning from my own mistakes as well as learning from this writer’s inspirational guidelines.

Until Brett’s next update to her list of valuable life lessons, check out Brett’s column in full. After you do, I challenge you come up with a few of your own.

To contact The Ionian’s Meaghan McGoldrick, e-mail her at [email protected]