21 of 220

Write now Article Tools

What is life if not a series of ongoing education?

Life is really just a set of lessons, a curriculum with a unique learning pattern, designed for each individual. You often hear someone say, "I just never learn". To realize that we don't always learn from our mistakes is just one of those lessons.

Just as we begin to fit into the pattern of family expectations, we start school, where we become skilled at living up to others expectations. This is a paradigm that follows us right through to later years, at least until something is said or happens that sheds light on the fact, that we are really only responsible to ourselves, with the harm to none clause included. At this point, a worthy lesson is learned. We are not here to measure up to our friends, neighbors and colleagues; we are here to be the best we can be, based on our own set of skills, and attributes. From this point, life will offer courses designed to take us forward on an incredible journey.

"To thine own self be true", is a basic lesson of life. If we could get to this point soon enough, then teach our children just this one thing, what a difference it would make in our class average. Instead, we encourage our children to fit the mold, to do what they are told, to sit still, and to stop making so much noise. We discourage their brilliant imaginations. We say, "don't cry over spilled milk", or "don't wear your heart on your sleeve". We encourage them to hide their feelings, we insist they keep quiet, but stop daydreaming. Then in the next breath we are saying "don't tell lies". No wonder that one of the lessons we need to learn as adults is clarity. It is no wonder it takes years to sort out what is real and what is just a belief implanted at an early age. Most often, we learn that our feelings and thoughts have been stifled, when someone says to us, "Can you not think for yourself?" Wow, what a revelation that is! Now we can really start to discover our own opinions, make our own mistakes, and share our gifts with the world.

Being true to ourselves, coupled with, "treat others the way you would like to be treated", would create such a different school of life, for all. Can you imagine a child allowed to speak their true feelings, with respect for the way others might be feeling? Can you imagine the change in coffee shop gossip, if people were honest about their lives, and respected their friends enough not to talk about them behind their back?

Life lessons shouldn't be so hard. If we realized early

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Lessons in life?
We want to hear your view. Write now!