FIVE THINGS I LEARNED THE HARD WAY

Image via WikipediaThere sometimes is no way to truly accept something but by learning it the hard way. I have been there and know while I would have much preferred to have these brilliant facts of life simply slip into my being without experiencing the sometimes awkward and often painful acknowledgment of their truths, I am at least relieved to know I have learned these at last.

1. WE ARE CREATED TO FORGIVE
     It is far easier to hold a grudge but far more painful to allow it to pervasively affect our lives. We don't need to give everyone a second chance but we need to forgive and move on and ask nothing more than the same. If God can forgive me, we must do the same to one another.
  
2.INTEGRITY ALWAYS TRUMPS KNOWLEDGE
    I may have known some things about my profession, the world or life but all academic success in the world was inadequate until I could relate to someone because they trusted my motives, values and who I said I was. Intelligence does not necessarily make anyone believable.

3.WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD SCAR ME WAS OFTEN A VICTORIOUS BATTLE WOUND.
    It may have been difficult to realize it at the time, but looking back, many of my current joys were the direct results of experiences that taxed my soul and initially discouraged my spirit. Whether relational, financial or professional, what took more sweat and toil to survive also left a sweet residue to remind me of my capabilities.

4.I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY.
    It's easy to blame others, circumstances and situations I might have thought prevented me from a goal or a destination but in the end I am responsible for what I do, how I respond and where I choose to end up. It's a simple as that.

5.CONTENTMENT IS CHOSEN NOT ACHIEVED.
    You can spend a lifetime chasing what you think will make you happy but only discover once you have captured it, that you must move on to wanting more. I will never be satisfied looking for happiness in things, people or activities. Learning to appreciate one blessing, I discovered more than I ever realized I had.

As a caveat, I would add a #6...I AM MEANT TO BE UNLIKE ANYONE ELSE
    When I quit trying to constantly fit in, agree or disagree with the masses, think and act like everyone else and do what I thought people want me to do, I can listen to my own soul and do what feels right according to me. It is life altering and downright refreshing to accept this.


Maybe you also can relate to some things I learned. If you have learned some things the hard way, please share your thought and lessons as well.


Life is a story we all tell with our lives, everything we learn is a gift we can share with someone else.





  

Another Trip Around the Sun

Image by joanna8555 via Flickr

I took one more trip around the sun recently and I am learning more than I ever dreamed. I know that it is never too late or too early to be passionate about anything. I know that what I have will never make me credible but what I do or don't do will always make a difference. I know that I will never be able to count my blessings. 

I know that it is better to take a good swimmer and a life jacket with you when you think you can walk on water. 

I know I can never meet too many incredible people, read too many great books, or set too many unreachable goals. I know that it really doesn't matter what I think some days but it always matters what I think of myself. I know to never underestimate anyone especially yourself. I know that I can be wealthy without money and poor with a bankroll. I know that I can make a regrettable mistake as quickly as I can make a profound impact. I learned that it is more important that I do something even if it turns out to be wrong than if I regret never trying. I learned I can never hurt anyone with too much love, laughter or attention but I can easily change a life without those ingredients. 

I learned that a sense of humor is essential to well being.

I learned that the best things in my life were not those I necessarily studied for, worked for, planned or even decided  and that sometimes the less I try to arrange the outcome the more effective I am.
I learned that forgiveness is rarely deserved as much as it is appreciated.  I know that sometimes life is better looked at through a young child's smile, nature or a dog's eyes. 

I know when I was 20,40 seemed old but now even 100 does not seem to be enough time. I know I love things I never dreamed I could tolerate including  the color yellow, country music and summer squash.I know I miss the people who have left my life like I always thought I would and more.

I know if I can't live with my decision, behavior, or action, I can't expect anyone else to either .

I know it isn't always about the glass being half full or half empty but sometimes about being fortunate enough to even have a glass. I know you can worry too much about how you look, what you have, who you know and what you need but never enough about where your life is going.I know that the richer my life gets by the people who enter it, the more I am humbled by the gifts I never asked for and received.

I know my husband will always be my best friend, my girlfriends my dearest companions and my God, my only hope.

I know I am a child of God and I would have known nothing had it not been for this.