25 Life Lessons They Didn’t Teach Me In School
Posted by Dan on September 09, 2009 in The Voyage
A quarter century down and I know I’ve only scraped the surface. Here is what I think are the most important things I’ve learned so far, maybe I’ll change my mind in time but for now I think it’s working ok for me.
- There are exceptions for every rule or “There are no Absolutes”. There is no black and white, only shades of grey.
- Your teachers are not infallible.
- Failure does not make you a failure.
- You are the master of yourself.
- You don’t have to follow all the rules.
- You can make your own rules.
- There is no substitute for experience.
- Your thoughts and experiences make you who you are.
- The Jones’ have got it all wrong.
- 95% of your fears will never be realized.
- You will prevail over the other 5%.
- Know your beliefs and question them at every opportunity.
- People will impose their own beliefs on you until they realize the futility of it.
- Many will never realize.
- Your happiness will offend some and inspire others.
- You are sovereign, your place of birth does not mean you are required to be proud of your country, its people, history or of its ideals.
- Everything is connected.
- Debt will suck the life out of you.
- Happiness is only real when shared
- Respect should not have to be earned, but it may be lost.
- Never give up learning.
- Persistence is a virtue but so is knowing when to give up.
- Everything is transient, so suck the juice out of every experience.
- Happiness does not happen, it is something you do.
- “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” Buddha
What have you learned?
Tiny URL for this post: http://tinyurl.com/2424626
What a great idea for a post! I find myself rambling off lists of things I’ve learned to people all the time (usually when they ask what I do, we’ve gotten past the initial ‘oh that’s so cool’ or ‘oh that’s so irresponsible!’ conversation and we’ve gotten to the ‘how could I do it to?’ talk). I may have to do one of these too in the near future: you’ve inspired me, sir!
Dan, these are 25 incredibly awesome, useful lessons, you should be thankful you’ve learned them at our age! Thanks for sharing.
Also, that’s a really awesome photo! Did you take it, or where did you come across it?
@Cody, it’s from Flickr, I’ve lost the link to it though when a post save didn’t work, I’ll have to go through my browser history and add it back in.
Beyond awesome list, Dan. Am tweeting this. The first one is a big one for me. I have always been a gray area person. It’s a shame how many people think things are either or. Life is so much easier when you don’t limit yourself that way.
Thanks Valerie, it’s a big one for me too, I guess that is why it was the first one I thought of.
One of the best lists I’ve read in some time. I especially like #3.
I’m slowly coming to realize #7. They try to teach you otherwise at school but there just is nothing like doing it yourself.
Hey Dan!
Cool list! no 25 is my favourite!
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” Buddha
I love buddahs wisdom, it just makes so much sense, I’ve never really gone into depth, but really want to learn more about Buddishm.
I’m sure you can easily come up with another 25 lessons they don’t teach us in school!
Cool post
Hey Dan!
Great Post!
I cannot say I had a favorite as they all felt lined up and good for me!
Look forward to your next blog!
Make It A Great Day!
I especially like number 9. The Jones’ have got it wrong, big time. This is a huge reality that I didn’t even realize until I was almost done with my college experience! Great post with a lot of cool things to think about. Well done, Dan.
Hey Dan—-
I wish I would have learned Finances in school. That;s a big thing I missed out on.
I wish there was an easier way to learn to be independent as a youngster but it is something we just learn as we grow.
Good post man…
Dave
LifeExcursion
Debt is something I wish they taught! Looks like you’ve made some awesome mental progress in life!
I love #7 as well. Knowledge is power, but experience is wisdom!
Yeah I actually did I course in college that was supposed to be about life skills. They did plenty about how to spend money, (mortgages, renting, insurance, etc) but I don’t recall anything about living within your means or investing in anything beyond a retirement fund, nothing that could help you get ahead a step in this game. Education really does need an overhual, most young people really don’t learn in school what the real world big picture options they have are.
Number 16 for me. Have subscribed to your rss.
Very interesting list. For me I could say that when I was back in college and living by myself for the first time no one told me that the first bills to pay every month are the utility bills. They literally come 24 hours after your due date and turn you off and charge you $30 for a 10 second job.
Great site Dan. Will definitely have feedly bring me back again!