Rules to Live By: Lessons That Life Teaches Us

Note: This is the second of a two-part series. Click here for part one

Here are some of the lessons that life has taught me:

  • Have something to look forward to. Always have some goal, challenge or adventure in front of you that interests or excites. Sometimes we need to be reminded that our lives are more than our day-to-day routines. So what do you want to experience or accomplish before you die? (Write down your answers to this and the following questions so you don’t forget any, because from time to time we need to refer back to these lists.)
  • When you focus on what you have or what you’re trying to accomplish, you’ll feel better. When you focus on what you don’t have, what has failed, what you’ve lost or what hurts, you’ll feel badly. Don’t hold on to negative feelings, and learn the art of positive self-talk.
  • Answer this question: “If I were to take responsibility for my happiness, I would…”
  • Life is about ebb and flow. Almost always, when things look down, you’ll bounce back.
  • Sometimes not saying something is a true act of grace.
  • When you quit trying in a relationship, as most people do,  the connection and the closeness will deteriorate.
  • Find the silver lining. Find the good in the bad. It will help you have better perspective, and it will assist you in having a more positive attitude. You locate the silver lining by discovering the meaning in your losses, failures or mistakes—and learning from them.
  • Be willing to take some big risks attempting to create what you want. It’s the risks you don’t take that you’ll regret the most later on.
  • Loving relationships and feeling connected to others are vital for your well-being. Give of yourself to other people, and do things that do not simply foster your goals or happiness.
  • Make sure you get some physical exercise. You will feel better, and you’ll increase your chances of both living longer and of feeling more vital.
  • What regenerates you? Here is a partial list of what regenerates me: vacations; crickets, hummingbirds, growing flowers and the warm weather of summertime; good sex; diving into the waves; hiking; fun or playful activities; dancing; staying in communion with my dogs and my wife (not necessarily in that order); reading a novel; and visiting with close family and friends. Can you define what regenerates you?

I would like to invite readers to write in to me ([email protected]) and tell me the important lessons life has taught you. I will print the most interesting ones in a future column.

One comment on “Rules to Live By: Lessons That Life Teaches Us

  1. Dear Mr. Rosenthal,

    I’m in a relationship with a man & it’s been off & on. When we first met, he had asked me out & I had told him that I was not girlfriend material. The reason being is I am a single parent going to college & my goals & where I’m at in life is totally different from my boyfriend. He is a single bachelor & has a couple of roommates. He is in his middle 40’s & his priorities are totally different than my priorities. He doesn’t have a steady job. He doesn’t have a license nor a vehicle nor a cellular phone for us to communicate with each other. We mostly communicate by emails & his landline home phone. I feel that I’m always taking care of him by driving to him or if we want to do something fun, I find myself paying for everything & honestly I’m getting really tired of all it. He insisted for both us to take a chance at dating each other & here we are several months later & I don’t know how to completely break up with him without him breaking down crying or him doing something horrible to himself. What should I do? What actions should I take?
    Thank you for your time.
    Anna

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *