Life Lessons: Writing Exercise

A professor of mine recently pointed out that sometimes, the greatest lessons in life don't happen in the classroom. That often, it is what we learn in between class, while on vacation, or stuck at work that leave the biggest impact. The more I thought about this, I realized just how right she is. This naturally led to me over thinking the subject, but maybe that was ok for this certain topic!

I am sharing a personal journal entry I made recently after this "life lesson." Normally, I wouldn't do this. However, I feel that these are great things to share, and it is a great writing exercise! So, below are the important lessons I have learned while not in the classroom. I invite you to try it too! Grab a pad of paper and a pen and write out what you have learned! Let's get started!

- I've learned that you can keep going in life long after you "can't do this anymore".
- I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
- I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or quite frankly nothing and still have the best time while creating the greatest memories.
- I've learned that sometimes the people who are on you the most, constantly giving lectures about right and wrong and pointing out when you are messing up, are the ones who care the most.
- I've learned that maturity has more to do with the types of life experiences (most of which are out of the classroom) a person has had and what they've learned from them rather than how old they are. Furthermore, our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become and where we go in life.
- I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself which can often be even harder.
- I've learned that just because two people argue, doesn't mean they don't love each other. If there wasn't love, there wouldn't be a reason to fight to keep it together.
- I've learned that two people can look at the same situation and see completely different things.
- I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes, by people you have never met before, and may never meet.
- I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend needs you, you'll be there...chocolate in one hand, and tissues in the other.
- I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon...and often no matter how well you think you have prepared for it, you are still left wishing.
- I've learned that you can never figure out what real love is, but that when it happens, you'll know.
- I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
- I've learned that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
- I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that really counts.
- I've learned that it takes a long time to become the person you want to be; and once you start trying to rush the process, you often must start over at square one.
- I've learned that you never truly know who a person is, no matter how well you think you know them.
- I've learned that time doesn't always heal things.
- I've learned that if it is worth it, and if you want it bad enough, you will find a way no matter what obstacles stand in your path.
- I've learned that being a family doesn't always involve DNA.
- I've learned that life isn't like a Disney film, that there isn't always a happy ending; but rather a collection of beginnings and ends, both good and bad, that create a life worth living.
- I've learned that sometimes the experience comes first and the lesson from that comes later.
- I've learned that I will never run out of things to learn!

Life is made of both the little and big lessons. And the lessons come from both the mistakes and the victories. In the end, it all comes together to create life. Which, when you look at it, is a wonderful thing, no matter which point you are at in it. So create your own theory, but cherish the moments. And ask yourself, what have you learned so far?