The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
Robert Byrne
There are many lessons that we learn by going to school, but a plethora of things that we learn just by living life. Both are important. The only problem is that life tends to move people quite people far along before they really figure out what’s going on and the wisdom that people hope to have gained sometimes seems late in coming.
1. Don’t sweat the small stuff. And, almost all of it is small. Much of the time when you get stressed out and worked up over “stuff” they end up being, in the grand scheme of life, things really don’t matter. When you allow yourself to get too caught up in it you distort your perspective and don’t take time to fully enjoy the moment.
2. Life can often be unpredictable and throw you some curves. To being knocked off your feet when life’s surprises do come your way, stay prepared by being open-minded and working to maintain your positive mindset that welcomes the life lessons being offered.
3. Stop boring everyone! The most boring word in any language is “I”. It is wonderful that you are self-confident and self-sufficient, however, extremely few things in this world are really all about you. There is nothing more distressingly monotonous than hearing someone talk about themselves and their accomplishments ad nauseum. Don’t get it twisted! Being self-centered is not the same as having self-confidence and being self-assured.
4. People are more important than things. Relationships are more important than any material goods you may acquire on your road to success. Without the love and support of family and friends in your life, material goods are not of much use to you. Setting your values and priorities can help you establish what’s important. If they are beginning to feel like they are out of alignment with what you want to be doing… set them again.
5. Don’t be afraid to show and tell others you love them. Life is short, so learn to give and receive love. Love and be loved.
6. No one else can make you happy. Your happiness and your state of mind are your own responsibility. No one else’s. It up to each person to know or to figure out what it takes to live a balanced and happy life. Your relationships enhance your life and make them richer, but they do not “make” you happy. You do.
7. Character and integrity will always matter. It is extremely important to be a person of honor. Your good word and deeds inspire trust and confidence from your family, your friends and your employers. Be the kind of person who others are proud to know.
8. Forgive yourself, your friends and your enemies. We are all only too human. All of us slip up sometimes and make mistakes. Holding grudges and past hurts only serves to keep you from enjoying life to its fullest.
9. It’s okay to fail. This is similar to #8. Everyone has failed at something at one time or another. Failure is an excellent life teacher. It teaches you humility and how to correct your course of action. Thomas Edison had a great attitude toward failure. He said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
10. Learn from the mistakes of others. There’s a Zen proverb that states: “It takes a wise man to learn from his mistakes, but an even wiser man to learn from others.”
11. Take time to laugh each day. Humor really is good medicine.
12. There is no magic pill. There are no substitutes for exercise, eating well, and fresh air and a little sunshine. Never take your health for granted, or underestimate how much feeling good physically affects your moods.
13. Never give up, never give in. Keep your goals and dreams alive. Persistence will eventually get you almost anything.
14. “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Tom Bodett
Learn well and pass it on…
Photo Credit: ROSS HONG KONG via Compfight cc
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