Three Things Life Taught Me

Today, when I think back on the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs of my journey. I can very clearly see what Life wanted to teach me.

Life is transformative, and as I changed, my life changed. When I was a kid, I set goals and dreams for who I thought I would want to become as an adult, but through life experiences, my interests changed, and so has the way I think. The ideas I once had no longer resonate with the ideas I have today.

With life comes wisdom. The thing with wisdom, and often life lessons in general, is that they’re learned in retrospect, long after we needed them. The good news is that other people can benefit from our experiences and the lessons we’ve learned through our jobs, marriage, and relationships.

I owe nothing to my younger self, but I owe everything to my present self. Sometimes you experience situations that take you down a different path, and along the way, you learn very important lessons. Three things life taught me.

• It’s okay to change your mind. People tend to look at you as not knowing what you want when you change your mind. Who cares what people think, at least that is what you should say to yourself? You are the one that will live with your decisions. So, own it. When you allow others to influence your thinking, you are not being yourself. You are trying to keep the peace and want to get along. This will keep you from allowing your personality, thoughts, and feelings to develop. Even if others disagree with your views, you need to have the confidence to express your feelings, and it is not always easy. You want to surround yourself with people who allow you to be yourself. The more you learn, the more you will change your mind about things you believed years before.

• Seize the moment. Stop thinking that when this or that thing happens, you would be happy. Happiness is not a fantasy island that we visit. Happiness is engrained within. You carry it with you everywhere you go, and it is up to you to water or not to water. Every morning you have the choice to be happy. Your happiness and wellbeing have nothing to do with how well you think you’re doing, how far you have come on your journey, or what’s up ahead. Your happiness and wellbeing have everything to do with how present, accepting, and content you are with all that is, right here, right now. Practice being present. Time is fleeting. Slow down, allow your life to unfold.

• It doesn’t matter how nice or humble you might be. There will still be people that will not like you for any reason and would try everything in their power to tarnish your image and bring you down. As crazy as it may sound, your failures make them happier than their own success. That’s their problem, not yours. There are people who want to stop you from accomplishing your goals. Use their negative responses as motivation to succeed. Allow them to motivate you. Use your achievements to silence them. Embrace your uniqueness. Forgive and keep moving on.

These lessons have helped me stay positive even when surrounded by negativity. They allow me to remain focused on my goals and accomplish whatever I put my mind to.

Life is a teacher. As students of life, we get to learn a lesson or two every day. Remember that whatever life is teaching you, it is transforming you into who you are becoming.

Rachelle Law

Founder, How Come, How Long

Writer, Author, Blogger