Here we are, back again to gain a little insight about the truths in life we occasionally ignore, sometimes acknowledge and often stumble upon when we least expect it. Don't you love it when truth smacks you in the face? We've all been there. Like the time I realized:
We all live in weird families.
Planning a vacation can be nearly as fun as going on one.
Moms and dads do most things for a reason. Kids just don't know which reason when.
You can never have too many double A batteries. The same can be said about TV remotes, socks, underwear and friends - not necessarily in that order.
Sometimes worrying about the consequences is worse than the consequences.
Happiness is a choice.
Lefties are forced to live in a righty world.
All you have is right now. When it's gone, you'll never get it back.
With all the dust bunnies that settle on surfaces worldwide, you'd think the earth would be getting larger.
If you're going to take video with your smartphone, turn it on its side for landscape mode vs. portrait. Wide screen. Voila.
A smile is free. So is a compliment.
The probability of the toast falling peanut butter side up increases based on number of minutes you overslept multiplied by whether you have an early morning meeting scheduled that day.
When you get a scab in your ear, you'll never know how it got there. Same goes for most bruises anywhere on the body.
Sunshine really can boost your mood. Especially if your name is Whiskers.
A person's definition of "old" is typically about 10 years beyond their current age.
Kids and pets make your life messy, but it is a good messy.
Never underestimate anyone.
If you have the good fortune to be in attendance at a boys' middle school choir concert, be prepared to listen to a song about pirates.
Cold water from the hose outside on a summer day tastes better than water out of the kitchen tap.
Nobody likes picking up dog poop, but someone's got to do it.
Moms aren't born knowing exactly how to locate pencils, safety pins and hairbrushes in a minute's notice when you need them most. These highly efficient skills are honed throughout time, usually during nights spent awake worrying.
The hardest part about having a pet is when they get old.
Sunglasses can make you look cool, but not indoors at night. Unless you are Brad Pitt.
Anger and negative thoughts cost you more than they do the person you are angry with.
Dandelions are only weeds if you call them that.
The glass doesn't have to be half full or half empty. It can be a little of both.
Diet isn't about what you don't eat; but about what you do - eat and do, that is.
Some people kill spiders. Others trap them in a cup and bring them outside. You know which one you are.
Most things in life are fleeting. You just don't realize it until they are over.
When I was 25, I thought I knew it all. I'd like to walk a day in that girl's shoes again just to tell her how much she'd yet to learn. I bet she'd have some advice for me as well. Because I am older and - I hope wiser - I'd probably be the one doing the listening and learning.
And so it continues. Because the single truth that's just as important as any of the ones listed here is we are never done learning. At least we shouldn't be.
- Jill Pertler's column appears every Thursday in the Times. She can be reached at pertmn@qwest.net.
We all live in weird families.
Planning a vacation can be nearly as fun as going on one.
Moms and dads do most things for a reason. Kids just don't know which reason when.
You can never have too many double A batteries. The same can be said about TV remotes, socks, underwear and friends - not necessarily in that order.
Sometimes worrying about the consequences is worse than the consequences.
Happiness is a choice.
Lefties are forced to live in a righty world.
All you have is right now. When it's gone, you'll never get it back.
With all the dust bunnies that settle on surfaces worldwide, you'd think the earth would be getting larger.
If you're going to take video with your smartphone, turn it on its side for landscape mode vs. portrait. Wide screen. Voila.
A smile is free. So is a compliment.
The probability of the toast falling peanut butter side up increases based on number of minutes you overslept multiplied by whether you have an early morning meeting scheduled that day.
When you get a scab in your ear, you'll never know how it got there. Same goes for most bruises anywhere on the body.
Sunshine really can boost your mood. Especially if your name is Whiskers.
A person's definition of "old" is typically about 10 years beyond their current age.
Kids and pets make your life messy, but it is a good messy.
Never underestimate anyone.
If you have the good fortune to be in attendance at a boys' middle school choir concert, be prepared to listen to a song about pirates.
Cold water from the hose outside on a summer day tastes better than water out of the kitchen tap.
Nobody likes picking up dog poop, but someone's got to do it.
Moms aren't born knowing exactly how to locate pencils, safety pins and hairbrushes in a minute's notice when you need them most. These highly efficient skills are honed throughout time, usually during nights spent awake worrying.
The hardest part about having a pet is when they get old.
Sunglasses can make you look cool, but not indoors at night. Unless you are Brad Pitt.
Anger and negative thoughts cost you more than they do the person you are angry with.
Dandelions are only weeds if you call them that.
The glass doesn't have to be half full or half empty. It can be a little of both.
Diet isn't about what you don't eat; but about what you do - eat and do, that is.
Some people kill spiders. Others trap them in a cup and bring them outside. You know which one you are.
Most things in life are fleeting. You just don't realize it until they are over.
When I was 25, I thought I knew it all. I'd like to walk a day in that girl's shoes again just to tell her how much she'd yet to learn. I bet she'd have some advice for me as well. Because I am older and - I hope wiser - I'd probably be the one doing the listening and learning.
And so it continues. Because the single truth that's just as important as any of the ones listed here is we are never done learning. At least we shouldn't be.
- Jill Pertler's column appears every Thursday in the Times. She can be reached at pertmn@qwest.net.
