Life Lessons, Anyone?

[paintedfish]

I'd really like to hear some stuff that people have learned, and since this is the place with the most diverse population that I have access to, I think it's a great place to start!

 

 

What are some realizations you've come to by this point in your life, that are almost universally true? Helpful lessons you had to learn the hard way? Stuff like that.

 

 

I guess, I would say, in my 20 years I've learned that when you're overwhelmed, no matter what the situation, or whether it's a good overwhelmed or bad, you gain a lot of insight by stepping back from the situation and analyzing it for what it is and not how you feel.

 

 

Something that I told my 55 yr old mom last night (that I didn't even know I knew) was that " just because a reaction is irrational doesn't mean its irrelevant."

For example, just because the fact that my mom got into a fight over what color my stepdad wanted to paint a room of his house was a bit over the top, doesn't mean that it didn't highlight the underlying issue that she's actually just upset that he has a separate life. It wasn't about the paint color, it was about her hurt feelings.

 

So, don't ignore your initial reactions, learn about yourself through them.

 

 

 

Maybe my lessons are wrong, or obvious, or childish, or whatever... That's why I want to hear a little from everyone!

[Stella Sleepwalks]

Life lessons at the age of 27..... Probably, "You can't fix things that want to stay broken."

[Seraphim]

I have SO many I think I have some for every topic one could ever bring up. However an important one is........if YOU respect yourself, other people will respect you too.

[90_hour_sleep]

(in the bold)...that is a great statement.

 

i think what i've learned is that sometimes the only way to become an enlightened individual is through great suffering (this is especially true in our modern, disconnected society). i know for myself, that i've become very disconnected with 'who' i actually am. i've been more inclined to believe that the person i am is 'who' i am. it's not the case. my perceptions aren't me.

my possessions aren't me. my friends, family, co-workers, SO's...are not me. and, most importantly, the mind that i have become so identified with is NOT me. basically...my identity is not who i am. the things that i've been lead to believe make me who i am...are not the things that define me. who i am is who i've always been...and who i will always be. nothing that i do or achieve will ever change that fact. i am no longer a prisoner of my past and my future. i've been liberated. i have the capacity to be conscious on a regular basis...and be at peace with myself.

 

great idea for a post. thanks!

[paintedfish]

 

i am no longer a prisoner of my past and my future. i've been liberated. i have the capacity to be conscious on a regular basis...and be at peace with myself.

 

 

 

A lot of people could learn from that on here, I think! Lovely.

[HeartGoesOn]

Said at my college commencement:

 

"Every Saint has a past, and every sinner has a future."

[paintedfish]

I believe that's an Oscar Wilde quote. And a very good one.

[Jetta]

My big life lesson is trust your intuition. Had I trusted mine I would have stayed on a less rocky road.

[waveseer]

Whenever I feel like a victim you can bet it's because I volunteered.

[paintedfish]

Whenever I feel like a victim you can bet it's because I volunteered.

 

Very true in so many cases! Thanks!

[ellandroader]

Life lessons at the age of 27..... Probably, "You can't fix things that want to stay broken."

 

Amen to that one...

 

Also, everybody has the chance to be lucky. You just have to make sure that you get yourself in a position to receive that luck ie; be vulnerable, take a chance, never give up, be persistent and be good to other people.

[Miss Firecracker]

I agree with this lady...pretty much all of it. I don't always practice but do agree.

 

 

Worth Considering

 

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, 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 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 alabout.

 

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.

 

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 --

 

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."