What are the most crucial lessons you learned in live?

[germs]

Originally Posted by Rock & Roll Gypsy

There are no free lunches.

Originally Posted by scott757

The harder you work to make your life the one you want it to be the more you will realize that people around you are not doing the same. Try to make friends with the people who are trying. The journey is easier with friends.

spend time with your family; don't take work home with you. cat's in the cradle and all that...learned the hard way.

[Timcito]

If it itches, scratch it!

[davess23]

I'll play. 60 years, and here's what I think I've learned:

-- only a fool tries to reason with a true believer.

-- nobody ever lay on their deathbed gasping that they wished they'd spent more time at the office.

-- there's a reason why we call fools "dickheads"...it's a bad idea to let your Willie lead you through life.

-- Be content steering your own ship, and beware of those who wish to steer it for you.

-- Being kind isn't always easy, but usually worth the trouble.

-- When people describe somebody's behavior as being "like an animal," 99.9% of the time they're talking about something that only a human would do.

-- Basically, civilization as we know it consists of everyone trying to sell crap to everyone else, at a ridiculous profit if at all possible. Once you acknowledge this and get over it, you can begin to enjoy the place.

-- stirring up fear and hatred pushes all the tribal (or baboon troop) buttons in our psyches, and is a great way to get other people to do your bidding. Watch out for those who practice this shit-- they can do real damage.

-- being passionate about something, and doing whatever it is that you're passionate about, is much, much better than being a passive receptacle of all the sludge on television.

-- trust your instincts. I don't know how many times over the years I've forced myself to like, or trust, or work with or work for, a new acquaintance who was sending my asshole detection meter into the red. And each time I failed to listen to that inner voice, I've regretted it.

-- treat yourself right. It's okay to go first class once in a while. And it sure is fun.

[deluxeman]

Never pick a fight with a man uglier than you.

Never cheat with a woman who has less to lose than you do.

Never date a woman that weighs more than you do.

[fretbuzzard77]

People are animals. Stupid people are common. Mental illness to some degree is common. Hard times make better people. Don't take those you hold dearest for granted. When it comes down to it there is nobody really looking out for you. The harder your life is the stronger you will be. The best life is one where your job doesn't feel like work. People who occupy power positions usually just want more power. Jokingly comments almost always reveal people's true thoughts. Be a leader be on the front end of the animal, be a follower be on the back end of the animal (where all the shit is).

[geetarplayer]

1. Collaborate with people.
2. I'm often wrong.
3. Some people who initially look like they have nothing to offer often just need training and encouragement.
4. Don't ever decide to do nothing simply because you can't decide which action to take.

[Ultron]

still learning, but reading The Four Agreements has changed my perception on life and my actions.

[Lucky Jack]

Things I know from my dad:

Don’t pick fights. There’s no percentage in fighting. But if you can’t avoid a fight, get the first lick in, and make it hurt.

Never bank what you can cut.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Don't complicate anything.

Never steal anything small.

If you were born in this country in the twentieth-century and are in good health, you’ve pretty much got it made, and on top of that if you were born male, you just won the lottery.


Things I found out on my own:

There are more pretty girls than one.

If you want to know what she’ll be like in 20 years, meet her mother.

The way she treats her father is a good indication of how she’ll treat you.

If a woman tells you that a female friend of hers is beautiful, she’s not.

People who are rude to waitstaff are always assholes, without exception.

People who want to share their religious beliefs with you never want you to share yours with them.

Never try to make a decision when you have an erection.

Think twice before saying nothing.

I don’t need to be right all the time. Or even some of the time.

Listen to your gut.

[crzyfngers]

trust nobody. everybody lies. if someone says they don't, they're lying.

[GenoBluzGtr]

Here goes.... just buried my 87 year old mother this week, so I've had a few days to recollect life lessons that she and my father (passed away in 1995) taught me over the years.. FWIW, most of these were taught to me, but I had to live them to make them sink in.

I consider these my top five.

1) Never accept anything you did not earn. No one "owes" you anything, except fairness and kindess (See number 4 below). If you earn it, you'll appreciate it 100 times more and will be less likely to sink into that pervasive "entitlement mentality". Don't assume that things that have happened to you or your relatives in the past have any bearing on what you are entitled to today. Taking what is not earned is equal to stealing. Work for what you have. Period. Related - resting on past accomplishments is meaningless. What you do today is FAR more important than anything you've done in the past.

2) Never shirk a commitment. If you say you're going to do something, do it. If circumstances get in the way, find a way around them. Your word is gold. Don't let laziness or crappy people allow it to be tarnished. Related... don't promise what you can't deliver.

3) "Your Way" is NOT the only right way. Listen to what other people have to say. Consider it, compare it, and give it an honest consideration. Acknowledge that other people may have a better way than yours. Just because your way works for you, doesn't mean it will be the best choice for others and it also doesn't mean that you can't try other ways... you never know when you'll find something that is better than "your way". You don't HAVE to change your way, but at least don't shove "your way" down everyone's throat.

4) Be Kind. Be Fair. Rude people suck. Don't become one. Smile and be genuine. Anything else is pure selfishness. Smile and wave at people for no reason. They may think you're strange, but you'll be surprised how much better your day will be if you throw out random acts of kindess. The one thing everyone deserves is to be treated fairly and with kindness.

5) Listen twice as much as you speak. "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason" - My Mother

[stephenf]

- Keep you hands and mind busy.
- Learn something everyday.
- Most men can father a child but you're not a daddy until your kid says so.
- Car payments suck.