Every single person in your life has come to you to teach a valuable lesson to you. Your lesson might be learning something new about yourself, learning how to handle a situation better, discovering a piece of your true self or even overcoming your challenges and taking your life to new heights. There are no accidents in life, so even the people whom we have unpleasant experiences with are our teachers.
I've learned some of my most important lessons from people who created unpleasant experiences for me. They challenged me to find another way to respond to them and the situation. They challenged me to look deep within myself and be accountable for my actions. They helped me to learn how to stay centered and focused, even when my world was less than perfect. They challenged me to change my perception of the situation--stop looking at it from only my point of view, but to see it from the other person's. My life teachers dared me to feel compassion and even forgive those who had hurt me. They taught me how to take responsibility for my actions in helping to create the unpleasant experience.
Other life teachers simply supported and comforted me during my difficult moments. They didn't tell me what to do, they allowed me to figure out what I needed to do. They simply supported me in whatever choices I made. These people helped me to gain a newfound confidence in my ability to handle whatever life threw at me. They encouraged me to follow my instincts and create my path instead following the path that others expected me to follow.
Some of our most powerful life teachers are those whom we have never met. Writers who have written self help books have been my greatest teachers. Their words inspired and planted new ideas of possibilities for me. These writers taught me that I could do more with my life than what I ever thought I could. These people were like guides who were trying to lead me away from smallness to greatness. They helped me to create a bigger vision than I ever thought was possible for myself. I may never meet them personally and be able to tell them how they changed they changed my life for the better, but they still are life teachers.
Many of our greatest life teachers are those who come in and out of our lives so quickly. A television show, movie or song may have a message that teaches me something. I might see a person on the street doing something that teaches me something. I might have a short conversation with a stranger who leaves me with a powerful message. I'll never forget the day when I was having my lunch outside and a man walked by. I was upset with my job and my career in general, so I was doing my daily reading of a motivational book. I was trying to find a thought that would help me make it through the rest of the day. The guy walking toward me could see my unhappiness and asked me what was wrong. I told him and he told me that nobody has the power to ruin my day or mood unless I let that person. He walked away. I never found out his name or saw him again. That guy helped me to realize that I always have a choice and to take responsibility for my attitude and mood toward whatever is going on around me.
Children have been life teachers to me with their simple and honest way. They have given me unconditional love before I could give it to myself. They have taught me to let go of disagreements easily rather than hold on to them. If you have ever been around kids, you know that they can be angry one minute and playing the next minute. They don't hold grudges. Kids have taught me to be curious about life and to keep exploring new ground without being afraid. Kids have also taught me to play more instead of being so serious about life. Kids have also taught me to dream and use my imagination more.
Pay attention to the people in your life at this moment and everyone whom you come in contact with. These are your life teachers. Allow them to teach you something new. Open up your heart and mind to what they may teach you. You know that they are teaching you something when they are giving you ideas and insights that help you to overcome your challenges or even get more out of life. A lesson is never negative where it encourages us to close ourselves off from others, believe the worst about others or settle for less. A lesson always enables you to be more, do more and get more from life.
Affirmations: Everyday,I grow wiser and stronger. I am thankful for all the lessons that my teachers have taught me. My lessons learned empower me to do more with my life.
Copyright©2006 Jeannine Robinson All Rights Reserved