Life Lessons
Periodically, I try to capture what I call, “life lessons.” These are things (in no particular order) I’ve found to be true for my life. Perhaps they will hold meaning for you. I recommend taking one and focusing on it in a time of contemplation. See what arises for you. Do you find comfort? Perhaps resistance? If so, why is that so? What lessons are there for you?
Be your authentic self - it takes too much energy to wear a mask.
Speak truth to power - but only in a way they can hear the message.
Truth wants to be known - create space for it.
Let silence do the heavy lifting - speak only when necessary.
There is wisdom in the group - listen for it.
Seek balance - follow nature’s lead.
Vulnerability is the courage to live transparently and authentically - take the risk.
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime - find out which and cherish them.
The first act of love is to listen - to listen is to wait in suspense.
We can only spend the currency that is in our wallet - save up.
Ask for and offer forgiveness- holding on causes the hurt to fester in you.
Admit when you are wrong - even sometimes when you are right.
The law is not always right - speak up against it.
Be confident - believe that you can.
Be accountable- no matter the situation, if you were a party to it, you likely own part of the blame.
Accept that you are beautiful just as you are - but not as beautiful as you will be.
Be willing to sacrifice for those you love - it may leave a hole but it will be filled with unexpected gifts.
Be grateful - take time to name your blessings and to let others know they are a blessing to you.
Be kind - you never know what someone else is dealing with.
Say “I love you” - often and with meaning.
Laugh until your sides hurt.
Let go - you will leave much undone; it’s okay.
Find your sweet spot - that place where your passions and your talents intersect with where you can make the biggest impact.
Be joyful - happiness is fleeting but joy lasts forever; and still, be happy.
Be - don’t just do.
Invite others in - build a longer table if you need to.
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable - it’s where true beauty lies.
Reach farther than you dream - you never know what you’ll achieve.
People will let you down - trust anyway.
Life is full of mysteries and miracles - accept them.
Never stop growing - we start to die when we stop changing.
Find your truth and live it - but remember it may not be others’ truth.
It’s okay to cry - or be angry or jealous; just don’t live there.
Embrace differences - they make life interesting.
Remember the marginalized - yours may be the only voice that speaks for them.
Take pride in your work - be underpaid.
Fear paralyzes - make sure the thing you fear is real; manage it.
Don’t pray to die in peace - live in it.
Silence implies consent; but make sure.
Some people will never accept you; as long as you accept yourself, it doesn’t matter (even if it hurts).
Take time to notice your breath; it is the Divine flowing through you.
Hold your beliefs loosely - leave space for new thinking to emerge.
Embrace solitude without being lonely.
The Divine speaks to us if we pause and wait.
Invitations are more welcome than commandments.
It’s okay sometimes to burn bridges.
Life is a dance; know when to lead and when to follow.
Live your life with intention and purpose.
Not all people will like you. It’s okay.
There are NO kind people. There ARE people who are kind more often than not.
Everyone deserves to be heard and seen and valued.
“Always” and “never” should be the least used words.
Growth and change don’t have to be painful if we hold ourselves with grace.
Everyone has a story. Honor it.
Take no day for granted.
Your worth is not in your accomplishments; it is intrinsic.
Fears are seldom real.
Wise people are adept at asking powerful questions.
It’s okay to do nothing sometimes.
Hold on to hope.
Neither trust nor respect need to be earned, but they must be maintained.
We won’t always get our way.
Die with as few regrets as possible.
Live as if this is all there is.
If you pit something into the public domain, expect praise, criticism or indifference.
Each “no” is one more step to “yes”
Discover your purpose in life then keep it front and center.
Very little in life is black and white.
Not all relationships can be healed.
Each person is on their own journey, but doesn’t necessarily need to travel alone.
Context matters.
We are just stewards of what we “own.”
Everything is impermeable.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.
If you don’t fit in, celebrate what makes you unique.
We never know someone else’s full story. Stay generous.
Before giving up, take time yourself rest and recharge.
We are not just human. We are sacred.
Music is beautiful because of the spaces between the notes.
Don’t deny yourself naps.
Not everyone will want to listen to us. Find those who will.
Power does not cede power easily.
We are unique; each of us. Uniformity is a lie told by the powerful to strip us of our humanity.
We all have bad days. Keep them in perspective.
Solitude is one of the greatest gifts to ourselves.
Culture trumps rules.
Don’t ask, don’t tell is not sustainable.
I don’t think anything beats a grandchild calling out your name.
Offer grace. You will need it one day.
As we think, so we are.
The touch of another human is sacred.
Our experiences are all in our heads.
As infants, it takes weeks to learn how to hold things in our hands. Then a lifetime learning to let go.
If you can’t change your mind, you’re not using it.
Bloom where you are planted. And prepare for a bigger pot.
Growth requires an open mind.
Art speaks a unique language to each who views it.
Safe spaces are not enough. We need brave spaces.
Know the difference between remaining silent and being afraid to speak.
Be willing to be wrong.
Pain subsides.
Hope endures.
Love is the path to growth.
Risk breaking the rules.
You may never know what burden others carry.
Not doing anything is okay.
Our worth is not determined by our accomplishments.
We have gifts meant to be shared.
Be aware of your compulsions.
Intuition is a data point but not necessarily the solution.
One can choose what to do but not what to want.
We try to control only that we do not trust.
Bravery is doing what we know we need to do when we don’t want to.
Few things are more joyful than a preschool graduation.
When we let our guard down, love enters.
We honor others when we listen to their stories.
Exposure to other cultures enriches our own.
Our children are not as old as we think they are.
Grief can’t be compared.
Some battles aren’t worth fighting.
Some people are crazy.
Take time for re-entry after vacation.
The number on the scale is going to fluctuate. Don’t freak out.
Avoiding truth-telling is an act of violence.
There is wisdom in the group and in the individual.
We build empathy by noticing similarities. We build connection by honoring differences.