My husband and I recently watched The Intern, starring Robert De Niro. In the movie, De Niro plays a retired professional who, out of boredom, agrees to work as an intern with an up-and-coming company.
The show confirmed my belief that our most important lessons are learned, not through classroom instruction or on-the-job training, but through the process of living life.
Life has taught me the following truths that were never presented to me by a teacher or professional.
- No matter how good or bad your situation is, your attitude will determine your level of happiness.
- The faults in other people that bother you most are probably the ones you yourself possess.
- Guilt may prompt you to do better for a while, but for the long haul, it is a poor motivator.
- You are likely to pass along to your kids some traits you would not wish them to have. I’m not just talking about high blood pressure and diabetes.
- If you carry inside a secret that is eating you alive, sharing it with a trusted friend will lessen its power over you.
- You are not the worst person who ever lived.
- Don’t feel sorry for yourself. When you are tempted to indulge in self-pity, find someone who has a bigger problem and offer a helping hand.
- If you rely on ice cream to make you happy, you will never manage to get enough of it. The same thing goes for approval and money.
- Your house is probably no messier than your friends’ houses. Just like you, they clean when they know someone is coming over.
- You will never run out of good books to read. You will have trouble finding good things to watch on TV.
- Your grandkids don’t care what you look like. Most other people don’t either.
- Not every woman who wears a size 8 is happy.
- Husbands who annoyed their wives when they were alive are sorely missed after they are dead.
- You need a friend who will tell you what you need to hear even when you don’t want to hear it.
- You never gain anything by skipping church.
- Cleaning your plate and keeping scraps of leftover food will not benefit starving children in other countries.
- Sometimes the best words you can give or receive are spoken in the language of a hug.
Surprisingly, I learned these lessons in only the first 60 years of my life. I wonder what I will learn in the next 60.
The Happy Geranium 
Oh my! These are all so true. Why can I not accept this and move on?
Belva, You are an excellent example of someone who “accepts and moves on.” You inspire me to do the same. Thank you for being my friend and for being so faithful to read and comment on my blog posts!
Debbie
We are all life-long learners, that’s for sure. We’re all a work in progress and our lists for “life lessons” will continue to grow the older we get–which is a good thing!
A work-in-progress indeed! Thanks, Becky, I always appreciate your comments!
Debbie
Again you nailed it with your wit and wisdom, Debbie! No wonder I like you!
Joyce, I don’t know about the wisdom part. With all the mistakes I continue to make, it sometimes seems I’ve learned little in my 60+ years. Thanks for reading and commenting on my posts, Joyce. You are a great encourager to me!