Learning These Life Lessons Will Result In Real Growth

Life is hard, but it doesn’t always have to be. There are more than a few things that we often pick up along the way to make this journey so much easier and more enjoyable than it is right now. But what if you could learn a bunch of them in one go?

Well, we aren’t saying that your life will do a complete 180 after reading this, but we are hoping that your eyes will be opened up a little more, and that you’ll understand that these little lessons can go a long way. Here are some of the major life lessons that will result in growth…

That Life isn’t Fair

Sure, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but that’s just life.  Dwelling on said unfairness makes you bitter and robs of your joy.  Accepting life for what is will free you from this negative mindset and will motivate you to be more positive.

That Life is Short

Realizing how short life is and embracing that fact, will make you a more driven person. You can’t afford to waste time (especially dwelling on the negative) when you really don’t know how much time you have. Enjoy the journey, go after your dreams, laugh a little harder, and don’t forget to live in the moment.

That Winning isn’t Everything

You won’t always come out on top of everything – and that’s okay.  You may not see it right away, but failure makes you more resilient, and makes the winning, when it comes, even more satisfying.

That It’s Okay to Cry

You are a human being with a wide range of emotions, and there’s nothing wrong with expressing the negative ones, as  long as it’s in a healthy manner.  Not only does crying improve your mood and reduces stress, but it also cleanses toxins out of your body. So cry when you have to.

That Making Peace is Important

It does you absolutely no good to constantly remind yourself of your failures, mistakes and the wrongdoings that have been done to you.  Making peace with your past means that you’ve accepted it and are ready to move on with your life, which is always a good direction to head in.

That Forgiveness is Everything

Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer because of it. Although forgiving the person does not justify what was done to you, it sets you free and that’s all that matters.  Even more important is forgiving yourself – it will free your mind from a prison you didn’t even know you were in.

That You Shouldn’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Life isn’t meant to be taken too seriously.  Sure, there are ups and downs, but laughing at your small mistakes every now and then helps lighten the mood and will make those hard moments a bit easier to deal with.

That Nothing is Certain

Knowing that nothing is certain should inspire you to treasure every moment even more.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed, but that shouldn’t stop you from living life to the fullest.  You’re probably tired of reading this phrase, but it’s one worth adopting: Live your life like every day is your last!

That You Shouldn’t Compare Yourself to Others

Comparing yourself to others slows your progress.  Other people’s journeys should not be an indication as to how far you should be in life. Does every animal run at the same speed? No. And yet they’re still able to live their lives in their own way- and that’s exactly what you should do.

That You’re in Charge of Your Own Happiness

If you’re always relying on others to be happy, then you’ll always be disappointed. Why? Because no one is perfect, and there will be times when they let you down.  You know yourself, your thoughts, what makes you smile, laugh and jump for joy better than anyone. So do it for yourself because you owe it to yourself.

That You Should Go After What You Want

A life without regrets is a life well-lived.  Take a leap of faith, and apply for that job promotion, go skydiving or ask a crush out on a date.  After all, life is short, and you don’t want to spend your last moments wondering about what could’ve been.

That Time Heals

It may not happen right away, but most wounds eventually heal with time.  Everyone’s different, and there’s no set time on how to deal with pain, but it will hurt a little less every day- even if you don’t feel it just yet. So let time do the work, while you keep on living.

That Fear Does Not Control You

What would you do if you weren’t scared? Would you tell a bully off? Or would you travel all alone? Fear holds you back and prevents you from living your best life.  Know that your fears do not define you is the first step you most take. The second is that only you have the power to change the direction of your life.

You Shouldn’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

This classic idiom reminds us all that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions regarding a person or situation.  That man who you think isn’t educated or rich enough could be the man of your dreams. Or that high-paying job you always wanted could cause you to lose what’s most important to you. The point here is that you shouldn’t take things at face value.

That It’s Okay to Stand Out

Everything about you, right down to your fingerprints, is unique.  Embrace your individuality, and know that not everyone is meant to be a follower or is meant to fit in with the crowd.  Some are destined to become famous leaders or influential trendsetters.  And it just might be you!

That School Won’t Really Prepare You for Life

Remember all those long hours spent learning and preparing for exams?  It turns out that much of what was taught in school isn’t what you really need to thrive in adulthood.  How will the Pythagorean theorem teach you the importance of saving money and being responsible? While it will help you solve some problems, it won’t prepare you for what’s really out there.

That You’ll Never Be Good at Everything

It’s great to have multiple interests and skills, but don’t expect to be a jack of all trades.  Maybe you’re not the best dancer, and that’s okay.  Just get out there, have fun and give it your all in whatever you do, even if you aren’t great at it.

That Asking Questions Will Get You Answers

The popular saying “there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers” is very true.  Don’t ever let your pride or insecurities get in the way of you learning more.  It shows you are willing to admit what you don’t know- something many people aren’t able to do.

That Saying ‘No’ is Okay

It’s one thing to be nice, but something entirely else to be a people pleaser.  Saying no to others from time to time lets them know that you have boundaries that should not be crossed, preventing you from being treated like a doormat.  Some may not like it, but others will respect you for standing your ground.

That Balance is Important

Life is a complete juggling act, and with everything going on, it can be hard to find that middle ground.  In order to live a balanced life, it is important to eat the right foods, spend some quality alone time with yourself, and have as much fun as you work.

That You Can Find Strength in Being Alone

It’s great to have a group of people you can connect with, but they shouldn’t be your only source of strength.  You have so much untapped strength inside that; you just have to find it. That inner strength is what will hold you together when things get hard.

That It’s Okay to Be a Little Selfish, Sometimes

There’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of selfishness.  That includes being selfish with your time and energy, not just your material resources. It’s important to keep some to yourself, so that you don’t burnout and that you aren’t used or taken advantage.

That Good Friends are Hard to Come By, So Keep Them

It’s rare to find a group of people, no matter how small, who truly have your best interests at heart.  You may not always see eye to eye, but that’s no reason to give up on each other.  True friends are the ones who are by your side when times get tough. And they should never, ever be taken for granted. Keep them close and treat them the way they deserve to be treated.

That It’s Okay to Let People Go

People change when life, time and distance happen, and that’s perfectly fine. Someone who you once thought would always be a staple in your life could now be someone that you used to know. People grow at different speeds and go down different paths. It’s okay to mourn that friendship, but it’s also okay to lose some people along the way.

That Your Words Matter

What you say can make all the difference in the world, to yourself and others.  People may not always remember what you said but they sure do remember how you made them feel.  So choose your words wisely- and it’s also good to think about your tone when you’re saying it too.

That a Great Career is More Than Just About the Salary

If a salary is your biggest motivation, then your job will always feel like a chore. When you do something that you’re passionate about, you will be more motivated to push forward, even through the tough days.  When all you’re thinking about is the money, it could get old really fast.

That You Need to Watch What You Say

We all know that popular saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can do me no harm.” Well that’s a bold-faced lie. Your words have power and can make or break someone’s life, depending on your feelings towards them. If what you’re saying isn’t true or is harmful, maybe it’s best to not say it.

That Jealousy is a Waste of Time

The green-eyed monster called jealousy stems from feelings of low self-esteem.  It may start out small, but then spreads to other aspects of your life including your friendships and relationships.  Nobody’s life is perfect and everyone, no matter how successful, has their own problems to deal with. Someone whose life you envy can look great from the outside but in actuality, is a complete mess on the inside. The point is that you never know what someone is going through, so it’s pointless to be jealous.

That Things Won’t Always Make Sense

We always get told that everything happens for a reason.  Yet, it can be very frustrating when you can’t figure out what that is.  So relax, and accept that there will always be mysteries in life that makes absolutely no sense to you.

That You Won’t Always Be Right

Even if your IQ is as high as can be, there are still a few things that you won’t be right about. When it comes to human interaction, you are bound to do something wrong- something you may have to apologize for. Accepting this early on will make it easier when it does happen.

That Change is Good

If nothing ever changed, life would become boring and stagnant.  Change forces us to leave our comfort zones, something that’s uncomfortable at first, but can bring many rewards.  So embrace it instead of fighting it.

That You Can’t Make People Love You

We all have free will for a reason.  And as a result, people are free to choose who they love.  Accepting this part of life will make it easier for you to handle rejection, leaving you with more time to find the ones who will love you, without having to be pressured to do it.

That There Are Consequences For Your Actions

It’s important to remember that all actions have consequences, and not just for you, but others as well.  How things play out is beyond your control, but you do have complete control of the motives behind your actions.

That Anger Isn’t Worth It

Letting anger build up is unhealthy for your mind and body and lashing out every time you’re angry is just as bad.  It shows a lack of control on your part, and if you’re not careful, you will say or do things you’ll regret. Sometimes it’s better to let things go.

That Knowledge is Power

Everyone knows this popular phrase, but have you really realized how truly empowering it is?  Knowledge, whether gained from books or life experiences, will come in handy at some point. So keep learning.

That It Pays To Be Kind

In a world full of selfish people, genuine kind actions and words seem rare. But you don’t need much to be kind; a simple compliment can make someone’s entire day.  You may not always see the reward, but you may have just created a ripple that spreads to others.

That Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Reality

You can choose to see the glass as half empty or half full, that’s entirely up to you.  Your attitude towards life makes all the difference. Not that you should put on a pair of rose-colored glasses, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a more optimistic outlook on life.

That No One is Perfect

It’s an unrealistic way of thinking that is not only damaging to you, but those in your circle.  Imperfection is an unmistakable human quality. Expecting perfection or being expected to be perfect will have you feeling disappointed and will do nothing for your self-confidence.

That You’ve Got This

You’re a lot tougher than you realize.  Know that you will always be able to handle whatever curveballs life throws at you.  There are times where you might not know what to do next, but you will figure it out, just like you always have.

That Self-Honesty Will Set You Free

Being honest with yourself is a crucial part of having a healthy self-image.  You don’t want to play up your strengths, while downplaying or even ignoring your weaknesses.  Things will seem much clearer and easier to you once you stop lying to yourself.