By Josephine Amoako
Experience is undoubtedly a great teacher, but I also think it seems so because we as humans are sometimes too stubborn for our good. No matter the danger signs we see and are warned against, our curiosity gets the better part of us and then we find ourselves in a bad place.
Personally, some experiences are inevitable and others can be avoided, if we make the conscious effort to. You don’t have to experience something personally to learn a lesson. You may have family and friends around you in varying age brackets who live diverse lives. I tend to pay attention to people when they begin to talk about what they have been through. There’s always something valuable to pick up. Though the fact that something went right or wrong due to the choices someone made doesn’t necessarily mean you would have the same results, if you did same. Circumstances and environments are different. But at least, you would have acquired a little wisdom about how to live life instead of just turning a blind eye and walking into the same trap!
I have learned that time and tide waits for no man. Every second counts and every yesterday is gone forever. I’m sure we’ve all learned this lesson but the impact is different for all of us. I didn’t learn this lesson the hard way, but everyday happenings serve as a constant reminder.
I have learned that though life may be unfair, the world owes you nothing and life is what you make it.
We start this race called life at different stages and while some are climbing the hills with their bare hands, you see some given ladders to climb faster. And that is fine! I’ve come to understand that the race is not for the swift nor the battle for the strong but time and chance happens to us all (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
It’s not about who got there first; the most important thing is that whatever your purpose you are being called to do, you have fulfilled it. Since we don’t know when and how we will leave this world, we cannot afford to waste time chasing people and things that only distract us from our purpose.
I’ve also learned that it’s better to let go than to hold a grudge. It keeps you healthier and stress-free. We may think holding a grudge is our way of punishing the offender but we are punishing ourselves more. Why kill yourself over someone is who is enjoying his sleep? You deserve a good night’s sleep and a free mind as well. Forgive and learn to set boundaries for such people. By no means give them a second chance to hurt you like that again.
Come to think of it, I’ve learned a number of lessons during my brief years alive but I’ll end it here. I hope this inspires you to ponder on the lessons you’ve consciously and subconsciously learned as well.
© Josephine Amoako 2017