“If I only knew then what I know now.” Do you find yourself thinking that sometimes? It
could be a new chapter in your life, or a huge hurdle you overcame and suddenly –
everything seems clear and a wave of gratitude or possibly regret washes over you.
No matter what your reaction to new clarity in your life, remember you can make a
difference in someone younger than yourself. It’s important for us all to pass on life’s
lessons to help younger generations grow and become better people. Below, are life lessons shared by people of all ages. We do hope you’ll add your own life lesson when you share this article with friends and family.
1. Never walk away mad from a loved one.
My father died unexpectedly from a heart attack when I was 19 years old. Just a few weeks
before he died, we’d had a fight because I overslept. A week later we made up. Then he died.
Life is precious. One moment someone is here and the next moment they might be gone… so treat every last word with loved ones accordingly. Jason Wachob, CEO and Founder of
MindBodyGreen.
2. Deferring your happiness to the future is a terrible idea
Too many people presume that when they have that one thing they can work towards for
years then “everything will be alright”. Benny Lewis, world traveler, fluentin3months.com.
3. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself
A lot of people think that the moment they decide to forgive somebody who once hurt
them, the person who receives the forgiveness is the only one who will benefit from this
kind gesture, but that’s not the case. I can tell you that the person who will benefit the most
is the person who does the forgiving. Holding onto anger and resentment can do you no
good; it’s like having a clenched fist 24/7. PurposeFairy – Luminita D. Saviuc
4. No One Actually Knows What the Hell They’re Doing
Almost nobody has any idea what they’re doing in their 20s, and I’m fairly certain that
continues further into adulthood…Out of the dozens of people I’ve kept in touch with from
high school and college (and by “keep in touch” I really mean “stalked on Facebook”), I can’t
think of more than a couple that have not changed jobs, careers, industry, families, sexual
orientation or who their favorite power ranger is at least once in their 20s. For example,
good friend of mine was dead-set when he was 23 of climbing the corporate hierarchy in his
industry. He had a big head-start and was already kicking ass and making good money. Last
year, at age 28, he just went and bailed. Mark Manson, Lifehacker.
5. Mistakes are learning tools.
Mistakes happen. You can’t take back what’s done or what’s said. Take responsibility for
what you did and move on. Learn from it. Apologize if necessary, but learn from it or you
will repeat it. Taking responsibility for the mistake puts you in control. G. Nelson, blogger.
6. Possessions
Possessions are worse than worthless — they’re harmful. They add no value to your life,
and cost you everything. Not just the money required to buy them, but the time and money
spent shopping for them, maintaining them, worrying about them, insuring them, fixing
them, etc. Leo Babauta, blogger & author Zenhabits.net
7. A Near-Death Experience Inspired Her To Chase A Dream
“I faced my own mortality and realized that I never really had done what I wanted to do,
which was singing and performing. I began to live for each day, treating each day as a gift.
That’s why they call it the ‘present’ you know…Once you let go of all the anger, everything
becomes simple…I no longer let people live rent-free in my body.” Serenity Stewart,
Contemporary jazz artist suffered a brain aneurysm and told her story to the Huffington Post
in 2012 (then 56 years old).
8. What My Grandparents Taught Me About Life.
Share what you have learned with the next generation. Teach them by your actions.
They are curious observers and they want to learn from you. Important lessons stay with
them for the rest of their lives. Be sure to choose the lessons consciously and wisely. Brandy
Shirley, blogger.
9. Maintain, or “Get”, a Sense of Humor – More than one senior I have had the honor of
caring for has maintained a sense of humor about their life as it is or was. Humor, a laugh, a
chuckle, a reminder of what we live for helped them get through their day even when their
mind or body had other ideas. I remember the “Golden Girls” holding court in front of the
lobby and commenting on everyone and everything that passed by. This small talk not only
got them through their day — it made for some great conversation in the dining room
where everyone would get in on the topics and laugh about it. Humor helps reduce stress,
connects us, and allows the day to pass more easily and be more enjoyable. Maria Shriver,
Peabody and Emmy-winning journalist, California’s First Lady from 2003 to 2010.
10. Focus on the Good in People
If a friend acts thoughtlessly, don’t dwell on it; you can fix your attention on the good in that
person instead. Jessica May, 34, Substitute teacher.
11. Life lessons from my grandfather
He and other men taught me many lessons. Among them: Be responsible. Don’t wallow in
your sin or sorrows. Accept your imperfections. Acknowledge your mistakes, repent and
move onward and upward. Forgive yourself. How to change a tire. How to tie a tie. How to
catch with a glove. How to hit a baseball. But no lesson was greater than this one from
Grandpa: Love family. Give your life for it. John W. Fountain, Chicago-Sun Times
12. Believe in Yourself
I would have expected more of myself as an athlete. I constantly doubted my abilities, which
held me back a lot. I am 37:-( Maureen Brooks Herr, Figure skating coach.
What’s your life lesson? Visit us at MD Home Health, We would love to learn from you! Share your life lesson in the comments below.