Meeting with a friend who will be retiring soon, we were reflecting on our respective careers: what we have learned from our work experiences and how these lessons might inform the next stages of our lives. This friend reflected a common theme I have heard from others: "I wish what I know now was available to me earlier in my career."
But I wonder how valuable these lessons would have been to us in our younger years? What do we really know now, and would this wisdom have made a difference then?
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| What do you know? ~~ Click on image to enlarge ~~ (Photo credit: Peanuts, Charles Schulz, June 6, 1967) |
Our discussion reminded me of a book I read several years ago, What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey. In this book, Oprah summarized her life's lessons. I am sure that each of us could list 5-10 important things that we have learned along the way.
Can you imagine, though, of being in a room full of people and listening to their combined wisdom? Do you think we would absorb these lessons and apply them successfully?
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| How do you talk to others? Yourself? (Photo credit: Positive Self Talk, Dhruvi Dharia) |
True... other people's wisdom might help us along the way or direct our thinking or decision-making, but our self-discovery and deciding What is True seems to stick with us longer.
Maybe the importance of life are the lessons we have learned by making mistakes, saying the wrong words, and misunderstanding others. As we navigate the Potholes of Life, we learn what is important to others.. and to ourselves. The Lessons Learned are the celebrations of Lives Lived... the intersection of your truths and mine!
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| Have you learned to be a flexible thinker? (Photo credit: Are you a Flexible Thinker?, Pearson Forward) |
The actions of reminiscing and reflection provides time to consider:
- What we used to think or do;
- How we have changed; and,
- Where the journey has taken us.
This pause to learn and wonder What Could Have Been creates a choice point to apply lessons to What Could Be. I believe that reflection and sharing is an important step forward... if we but listen to ourselves and others!
What have you learned in your life? Are you willing to share?
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| Larry Gardepie (click on link for website) |
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