Life has a way of throwing us curveballs. Still, those who have traveled far down the winding path of life often have profound wisdom to share from their journey. In this post, we’ll explore 12 impactful life lessons that can guide us to not only survive but thrive.
1. Accept that Life Isn’t Always Fair
We all hope life will be full of happiness, health, and opportunity. Sadly, though, we don’t get to decide what circumstances we are born into.
“Life is like a video game – you don’t get to choose the difficulty mode you start with, you’re just thrown into it.”
For instance, while one child may be born into a supportive family with financial security, another may lose their parents at a young age and get bounced around foster care. It’s easy to grow resentful and think “life isn’t fair!” However, as hard as it is, accepting the inherent unfairness in life and letting go of what’s out of your control is crucial. Otherwise, it’s like wrestling the ocean tides – a fruitless effort.
Instead, focus on making the most out of the cards you’ve been dealt, using your unique talents and abilities. Overcoming adversity often builds character and tenacity. It also helps you appreciate life’s small blessings that others may take for granted. As the Buddhist saying goes “Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.”
2. People Skills Are Essential for Success
It’s been said that 80% of success comes from people skills – developing rapport with others and building strong relationships.
“80% of success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.”
For example, you may be the most talented computer coder in the world, but if you can’t collaborate effectively with colleagues and communicate clearly with clients, your career is likely to stall.
Key people skills to cultivate include empathy, respect for diversity, ability to resolve conflict, and active listening. Dedicate time to understanding different perspectives, even when disagreeing. Look for common ground and express your viewpoint thoughtfully without diminishing others. Your emotional intelligence will become your best professional asset.
3. Small Acts of Kindness Make a Surprisingly Big Impact
It’s easy to underestimate the power of small good deeds. With so much suffering in the world, we may wonder “What difference can one person make?” Yet a smile, holding the door, asking someone about their day or other thoughtfully small acts can have a multiplying ripple effect.
“Say hello, be the first to step outside and greet your neighbor– we’re all human and in this together.”
Imagine if everyone made five conscious acts of kindness daily. In one year, that would total over 18 billion positive interactions! So don’t underestimate the influence one person can have. A few tiny drops of compassion can create healing ripples across humanity’s shared sea of suffering.
4. Live with an Attitude of Gratitude
Practicing gratitude consistently is one of the most direct routes to sustainable well-being.
“Spend time focusing on the good every day – if you only focus on the bad, you will lose hope.”
It rewires our brain away from “fight or flight” reactionary patterns. One powerful way to build a gratitude ritual is keeping a daily journal listing things you appreciate, from important people, to your morning coffee, to the birdsong outside your window. This conditions you to notice life’s gifts amidst its sorrows.
Gratitude grounds us in what we have now instead of getting trapped in the regrets of yesterday or worry for tomorrow. It’s possible to be grateful even for difficulties, which cultivate wisdom and strength. This attitude makes handling adversities much more bearable.
5. Do Good Deeds Just for the Sake of Giving
Research confirms that when we give to others, we also give to ourselves. Studies have shown that helping others boosts personal well-being.
“Studies found that by doing good deeds…you can boost your happiness 10-15% on average.”
There’s something profoundly heart-opening about making someone else’s burden a little lighter through no expectation of reward. It could be volunteering at a homeless shelter, visiting elders who are lonely, or helping someone who is lost find their way. But the most potent acts of selfless service are often spontaneous and small.
For example – seeing someone struggling to carry heavy grocery bags up a hill and taking time to simply help them with the burden. Expect nothing in return. That is the purest form of generosity, done freely for its own sake.
6. Maintain a Growth Mindset as You Learn and Improve
It’s easy to see talented others and become discouraged feeling we could never attain their level of skill. But according to modern psychology, with dedication and persistence, we can continuously expand our abilities through a “growth mindset.”“When confronted with someone better than you – realize you have much to learn from them and take on the position of a student.”
For example, a new social worker may feel intimidated and inadequate seeing more seasoned veterans calmly handle volatile cases. Rather than being jealous, they could respectfully ask to shadow their coworkers on cases to learn how they communicate and de-escalate conflicts. Thinking “I’m not good enough” limits potential. But seeing every interaction as a chance to grow makes continuous improvement feel exciting rather than intimidating.
7. Only Make Commitments You Intend on Honoring
Living with integrity means following through consistently on responsibilities and promises.
“Your ability to stay true to your word…will affect how others perceive you.”
We’ve all dealt with the frustration of a friend committing to complete their part of a shared project for work or school by Tuesday, for example, but blowing it off until Thursday night, leaving us in the lurch. When people prove themselves as dependable and accountable over time, we naturally trust them more deeply.
So before agreeing to babysit your sister’s kids every Friday night or take on organizing the school bake sale when you’re already overloaded, pause. Make sure you genuinely intend and have capacity to follow through, rather than casually overpromising and hoping it will somehow work out. Reliability builds self-respect and strong relationships.
8. Summon the Courage to Take Calculated Risks
Stepping outside comfort zones leads to exponential growth, whereas staying “safe” can feel stagnant over time.
“Learn to be comfortable jumping into the unknown – fortune favors the bold.”
Have you always dreamed of starting your own bakery or boutique but fear leaving your stable corporate job? Or maybe you’d love to move abroad but worry whether you’d adjust to a new culture. Important dreams often require conquering self-doubt and putting ourselves “out there.”
Start small by perhaps taking a bakery workshop this month. Or do some extended travel before considering a permanent overseas move. As you successfully navigate initial steps outside the familiar, you build courage to take greater leaps. Keep risk-taking socially responsible. But pursuing passions often requires courage to lean beyond the known.
9. Simplicity Cultivates Peace of Mind
We live in a complex world with endless pressures, options and responsibilities tugging at our attention. This overwhelm often fuels discontent and anxiety. That’s why principles like the 80/20 rule resonate – because they urge simplicity.
“Eighty percent of joy and fulfillment will come from just 20 percent of the things you want to do.”
If your to-do list has 37 tasks on it, slash it down by circling just the top 2 priorities and focusing your time/energy there first. Practice saying “no” to good opportunities in order to say “yes” to what fundamentally matters most to you. For example, if family is a core priority but work takes all your time, it may mean letting go of that new side business passion project.
Our life energy and time are precious resources meant for activities that align with our deepest values. Simplicity helps maximize joy.
10. Happiness is Found in the Present Moment
We all want to live happily ever after. Yet contentment seems fleeting. We don’t realize true joy is always accessible – not in reminiscing the past or fantasizing about the future, but right under our nose in this very instant.
“Happiness resides in the present moment, so spend more time there every day.”
For example – instead of obsessing over mistakes you made yesterday or worries for tomorrow while washing dishes – come fully alive to the sight of soap bubbles popping, the warmth of water soothing your hands, the sound of plates clinking. Even mundane moments contain subtle beauty available nowhere but the now.
Train your mind like a puppy to stop wandering by gently bringing attention back to your senses – what sounds, textures, colors, scents and energies fill this moment? Allow yourself to fully feel whatever arises too, even difficult emotions. This present time awareness liberates us from being hostage to the past or future stories we ruminate on.
11. Keep Perspective During Life’s Highs and Lows
When things go well in life, it’s easy for ego to become inflated with a sense of pride and “specialness.” Conversely, when facing setbacks, one’s sense of self-worth can come crashing down. That’s why retaining balanced perspective is so important for mental health.
“In either case you must be careful of how your ego reacts.”
For example, a musician may land a record deal and suddenly be showered with money, fame and praise for her brilliant talent. It would be wise during her exhilarating career surge to remember that this too shall pass and keep grounded in deeper spiritual values not dependent on external conditions.
Similarly, if a successful entrepreneur’s new tech start-up goes bankrupt, rather than falling into shame and despair, he can contextualize this loss as an isolated event, not a verdict on his worth as a human being. By reacting to life’s ups and downs from a place of wisdom rather than ego, we suffer less while riding its waves.
12. Relationships Are Worth Investing In
It’s so easy amidst life’s busyness to neglect the people that matter most. We forget that tomorrow all our worldly hustle could vanish, but the bonds we share may never return.
“One day when you visit your mom it will be the last time.”
So ask yourself – if my best friend moved across the country next month, would I have closure on this relationship? Have I fully expressed my care and appreciation? Or have I taken this person for granted assuming the friendship will always be there? Identify who matters most and prioritize nurturing those heart connections through consistent investment of presence, listening, encouragement and support.
Life has a way of unexpectedly taking loved ones far too soon. Don’t wait until it’s too late to share how cherished these people are. Make strengthening caring bonds a priority amidst the pressures of career, deadlines and other demands competing for attention.
The wisdom from elders who’ve journeyed long down the winding road of life lights our way. These lessons won’t immunize us against sorrow or failure, but they teach us how not to fall into despair’s abyss when trials come, as inevitably they will. Most importantly, they guide us back home to what ultimately matters – opening our heart. What lessons most stand out to you? Please share any reflections in the comments!
