When You’re Done Learning/Growing-Your Done
Every bit of research I’ve ever read about personal or professional happiness, motivation, engagement, culture, and healthy relationships emphasizes the importance of personal growth and development.  Yesterday someone told me that they try to learn something new everyday in a very deliberate way. That got me thinking about “what I’ve learned” over the course of my life, and that got me thinking about some of the fun “I’ve learned” lists that seem to be everywhere on the internet.Â
Over the years I’m sure we’ve all read many lists of “Things I’ve Learned” sent in many versions and formats. I have kept nearly everyone I’ve ever read… I think they are great, and I also think that I too often and too easily tend to forget the “things I’ve learned” so then I end up needing to re-learn them! Sometimes the painfulness of re-learning makes me wonder why I don’t work harder to remember and internalize the learning in the first place. Hmmn, I’ll have to ponder that… in the meantime here is another list of things someone has learned and written down. I hope you enjoy it, and if you feel inclined to share some of the things you have learned with me… I’d love to receive them and pass them along.
So below this picture is one of my collected lists.
Things I’ve Learned
I’ve learned….
That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned….
That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I’ve learned….
That money doesn’t buy class.
I’ve learned….
That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I’ve learned….
That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I’ve learned….
That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
I’ve learned….
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I’ve learned….
That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I’ve learned….
That love, not time, heals all wounds.
I’ve learned….
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with good people.
I’ve learned….
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
I’ve learned….
That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.
I’ve learned….
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
I’ve learned….
That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
I’ve learned….
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
I’ve learned….
That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
I’ve learned….
That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
I’ve learned….
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
I’ve learned….
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I’ve learned….
That I can choose how I feel, and I can choose what I do about it.
I’ve learned….
That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
I’ve learned….
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
I’ve learned….
That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.
I’ve learned….
That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
Make it a great day, it’s your choice!
Kirk Out
July 29th, 2009 at 9:55 am
One thing I have learned over the years is; When life closes a door, God opens a window.
I always have to keep in mind that the hardest challenges are the lessons I have to learn., and just “let God do the driving. ”
I also wish my parents were here so I could thank them for the lessons they taught me. I do tell them I love them every night in my prayers.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
What I’ve learned from Kirk…
There are plenty of real, inspirational events that take place in our lives each and every day if we just open ourselves to recognize them. We don’t need to depend on 10+ year old stories, mostly untrue, that circulate over and over through the e-mail nests.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I’ve learned…
that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
Thanks again Kirk!
July 30th, 2009 at 12:18 am
I’ve learned…
Never say never.
I’ve learned…
Life is full of choices – good ones and bad ones.
I’ve learned…
Just when I thought I would never fall in love again I met my granddaughter. (See I said that never word again)
Jackie Jump
SR. Reconciliation Auditor
Anthem/Wellpoint
July 30th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Hi Kirk,
I enjoyed this one! Here are a couple of things I have learned over the past three years since we have adopted our baby with Down syndrome and since we have integrated our older daughter w/Down syndrome into the typical classroom.
I’ve learned…
That God has a plan for my life, even when I can’t figure it out. There was a reason I walked all the roads – both the hard ones and the easy ones.
I’ve learned…
The only ones truly motivated by competition are the ones who know they can win.
I’ve learned…
To enjoy every minute and celebrate every accomplishment of my children’s lives because they grow up too soon.
Have a blessed day!
Stefanie Maucher
July 30th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Kirk here are more thoughts that I have realized or read that stuck:
I have learned that your child holds your hand for just a short time, but your heart forever.
I have learned that parenting has no end, but our approach must change with each stage.
I have learned that cruel words leave holes in your heart much like a wooden fence that has holes punched through it; while the pain might go away, the scars remain forever so be cautious of what you say when you are angry.
I learned that if you feel you have arrived in your professional career it’s time to quit because in fact you will never be as good be today as you can be tomorrow.
I have learned the best lessons from my failures not through my successes. Those are the events that stay with me.
Have a great day! JO
Janeen Ortega
Director Risk Management, Fraud Aversions
July 30th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Wow, just wow!!!
Here are a few:
I’ve Learned-
When I think that all the good I try to do has no effect and is unappreciated that my kindness often travels further and touches more people than I could have imagined.
I’ve Learned-
The toughest person is often the one who has the biggest heart.
I’ve Learned-
Purposefully getting lost and trying to find my way home is a great way to re-discover all those things that often get overlooked in my normal busy-crazy lives.
I’ve learned-
I can judge a book by its cover, I am usually wrong, but I can judge the book by its cover.
I’ve learned-
There is strength in humility, the more humbly I live my life, the more powerful my life has become.
I’ve learned-
Looking for a solution often gets in the way of finding a solution.
Enjoy!
Sanford