What Have You Learned?
October 12, 2009 by GradingGirl
Filed under Listing through Life, TLC Speaks
There’s a line in the song by Michael Franti and Spearhead, Say Hey (I Love You), that originally inspired me to write this list: “Seems like everywhere I go, the more I see the less I know.”
We’re learning every day whether it’s a lesson in the classroom or a hard-to-swallow life lesson. There are so many uncertain things in life and circumstances surrounding us constantly change that I thought I’d take inventory of those things of which I’m certain:
What I’ve Learned in Life So Far
~ Timing is everything. Think about it – this applies to all aspects of life. It all comes down to this.
~ You can never have too many friends. Moreover, having friends of different interests, age groups, and circles keeps you well-rounded.
~ You can never love your family too much. I also happen to believe you can never say I love you too much but I think this has may have caused me trouble in the past.
~ It’s only spoiling your children when you give something you don’t want to give them but do anyway.
~ A key to satisfaction is to find a career that doesn’t feel like work. It is then that you can be certain you are in the right field. I am! Teaching has NEVER felt like work to me. I can confidentally say this because I worked in the business sector prior to teaching – it absolutely felt like work then.
~ This sounds cliche but action truly does speak louder than words (written or spoken). This brings to mind a quotation I recently read, If a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. This inspired me to think of a great idea for a friend!!
~ Age is a relative number.
~ Go for it! Life is too short not to. We create our own lives.
~ Exercise is as good for the soul as it is for the body.
~ This world would be a bleak, sad place without music.
~ You should try at least one new recipe every week. If you don’t cook, you should eat at least one new dish every week. Variety is a spice in the kitchen.
~ Sometimes you need to make cookie dough just to eat the dough.
~ It’s okay to change your mind.
~ You can never read too many books or see too many movies. This keeps you cultured, educated and empathetic.
~ Smile, even when you don’t feel like it. The act itself will make you happier.
~ Writing things down is a magical trick. Things are much more likely to happen when we write them down. Goals, daily to-do lists, messages, lists like this . . . write ‘em down, write ‘em down.
~ Dancing or running in the rain is very liberating.
~ Never speak ill about someone and you’ll never have to whisper.
~ Cleaning out/paring down closets transfers to ’cleaning out’ your life. The important things you lost are found and the unimportant things are discarded.


Might have some additional ones tomorrow. Who knows what today will bring?
1. Appreciate the people in your life, especially the ones who are closest. They need it most.
2. Choose your passions carefully, but then be extreme about them.
3. People vary, and that’s a good thing.
4. Questions are more important than answers.
5. Feed your soul every day: art, music, exercise, relaxation, cooking, prayer, whatever your soul needs.
6. Listen more than talk.
7. Writing things down is a good way to bring them into the light.
8. If you haven’t laughed in the last hour, you should probably go do something else.
9. A Top Ten list is good, but a Top Nine is just as good.
Thanks, GG, for a place to say this today.
Thank you, Gary, for these thoughtful contributions! I look forward to the possible additions.
I’ve learned this one from my husband: You must be who you are, and make no apologies for it.
Stefanie, this is a wise and true statement!