Like many who enjoy analysis and learning, I've looked back in life often. I'll continue to do that with respect to my family history project, but as far as looking back to understand life's missteps and challenges, I'm coaching myself to look forward more than looking back. I've learned a lot of lessons from my analysis. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned include these:
- Instead of jealousy, see people's triumphs as a chance to know yourself better, reach for what you desire, and enjoy the gifts that others bring to your life. For example, some of my friends have embarked on life ways that I would never have a chance to experience, but because of my friends, I've had the chance to travel those exciting paths.
- Stay calm--when you feel like you're going to explode, take a personal time out to get to the bottom of why your feelings are so intense.
- Always understand that you never know the whole story when it comes to other people's lives--people are always part known and part mystery. As much as possible give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Don't trust too quickly. Take the time to know people well before trusting them with some of your more intimate information.
- Be honest, and if honesty feels too great, then just stay quiet until you have the strength and understanding of how to be honest.
- Love as much as you can as often as you can.
- Be as generous as you can be.
- Live within your means or beneath it.
- Be creative--living a creative life brings wonderful joy and possibility.
- Be yourself--understand your incredible gifts and be humble and accepting of your shortcomings.
- Dream and pursue those dreams.
- Find your people--the people that you relate to, enjoy, and learn from.
Now as I move ahead of the past challenges and successes into yet another chapter of life, I find myself focused on much of the same including a warm, welcoming, simple home; a loving, caring family; contribution to the greater community; personal health; humility; creativity; and living as good a life as I can for myself and others. Onward.
