What have you learned in your life?

I have learned that small things matters... like my Costco grocery cart 😀

I am doing a small project. I have asked you:

What have you learned... in your life?

I appreciate your opinion, I have sent to my friends email or message asking them to answer this, simple question. I think this is an interesting post. Here is what I have received as the response.

I will start with myself...

So far in my life I have learned that everything is fake except the sense of existence.

I learned, I'm not to trust my mind - all this makeup, this personality. It is my shocking discovery that I am not to be trusted, I'm so fickle. I don't know how others see me but I see that I am a complete mess.

This is a little bit harsh and bold statement so let me be more precise.

Today, I said to my friends I will see them at 9 pm at Kennedys and then around 7:30 pm, after couple of beers I went to lay down a bit. And then I slept until 10:30pm.... What can you say about my behavior? This contradictions are part of my daily life.

You can ask me, why don't I change this? Believe me I tried so many times but with no luck. I decide something but completely opposite thing happens. I learned that things, the life, just happens, without our significant influence.

I learned that having friends, the companions, and laughing and making jokes about everything, is very important. Loneliness and seriousness kills. I have learned that our society is sick by loneliness, seriousness and offensiveness.

Everyone is so easily offended, by weather, by slow driving, by line ups, by words... especially by words... "I feel offended" you can hear everywhere... so fucking what, if you are offended? Fuck off, trim your self-importance so you will not be so easily offended!

This is what I have learned so far, not much, but I would say enough.

Realist - 34 years old, female

I was very happy as a child, when I can go back in my mind in that time, I can feel it in my body. I wasn’t aware of it, now I am.

I learned that kids with their knowledge are more capable to live honest, happy and fulfilled life, not because they don’t know a thing, they know everything! Not to worry, to be in the moment, to see things that grownup don’t see, to let themselves in imaginations and manifesting thins for them as they like. Small things are happiness, small things do matter!

I imagine kids as empty bucket, that flutters in wind (that's my mind😂), and we, as adults, fill that bucket with lies, opinions, worries, punishments… that bucket become heavy, falls on the ground and stays there, the whole life.

So if you ask me what have I learned, that is easy😂 (and sarcastic): People are lie! Look at them what they do, not what they say.

Regarding that, words and promises are overrated. Sometimes was enough to say “you have my word” now word means shit.

Third thing is - you are on your own, alone, responsible just for yourself. Nobody, neither wish to hear nor understands you. If they say they do, it is a lie, then we go back on my first point 😂

I can go on about this all day, but it is early in the morning so lets not get dark too much. 😂

My father - 86 years old

I learned to struggle.

Rade - 59 years old

1. I have learned in life that one should have patience and not react suddenly without thinking.

2. Persistence and dedication in everything what a person chooses to do. Think carefully if you want something, and if you accept it, then do it with full force.

3. I learned that it is not worth talking too much, work and show it in action.

4. In my experience I saw that if someone persistently imposes something on you and trying to convince you, you should be careful and considerate of it, that it is usually a scam or a story without content.

5. Finally, the more you give, the more you can will receive. I've learned that even though you don't always get back things, giving itself is an extraordinarily beautiful and spiritually fulfilling act.

Granny to be, 54

The question is a bit scary, but the timing couldn’t be better. I’ll be a grandmother later this year. Grannies should know things, right?

We all suffer in life. We are taught to work hard and aim for the stars, no matter what. But there are so many things we cannot change. Loss seems to be the only certain thing. We lose childhood dreams and illusions, people close to us, material possessions, marriages, jobs, health, sanity, even height. In fact, there’s only one thing we never lose; our ability to love. We all know- people who suffered horrible loss are always there for us. This simple thing, always finding time for someone, might be the deepest form of love.

So, surround yourself with good, loving people and you’ll soon realize you have a lot to give. Don’t hesitate to offer your time or support to anyone who needs it. You’ll be stunned how many good, kind, selfless people are there. And that’s how you discover the meaning of life; by dedicating your time and knowledge to others.

Avoid evil people at all costs, even if you think they can be good for your career. The price is just too high. Your mind is a sacred ground, don’t let anyone mess with it.

When you think you learned what true love means, get a dog. Walk your dog. In one hour, you’ll realize that your neighbor is awesome, clouds are awesome, trees are awesome, flowers are awesome! Basically, everything is awesome in good company.

If you really want to find yourself, take long walks. Outdoors is where we belong. We are all displaced persons. Our warm, comfortable, cozy, beautifully decorated homes are no more than golden cages.

Everything is better with good cheese on the table. Or good apple pie.

That friend who always finds and shares new music is an angel in disguise.

Alcohol is crap. It drains your body, your wallet, your personal life. Your body is a piece of genius engineering, designed to do so many wonderful things. Alcohol stands in the way of every single one of them.

This confused culture makes us feel ashamed of our old age. We are obviously supposed to stay young forever. What a load of nonsense! Getting old IS a beautiful privilege.

Sara - the world traveler, 50

My life has taught me to be strong, independent, and not rely on anyone else.

People come and go in our lives. I feel that everyone who has been part of my life has served a higher purpose through my journey to find peace, happiness, gratitude, and forgiveness.

I have learned that many people are not genuine, they lie to fulfill their own personal needs or goals, and they have not sincerely cared for me as I have cared for them.

The focus on worldly possessions, money, status and over indulgence is the root of all evil.

The true focus in life should be caring for each other, always trying to be the best versions of ourselves, and forgiving others that may have hurt us in our life. I am still learning how to do all these things.

Zoki, Russia - 59 years old

Zee, I think the question you asked is not simple at all.

I learned that every person has a life task that needs to be solved. Most of the people who appear in our life are involved in solving our tasks or we in solving theirs. We need something from everyone, either to learn or to help that person on his way.

Sometimes just one sentence changes a person's whole life.

Life itself opens or closes doors for us, with some invisible hand, to guide us on the way, to solve our tasks. Some people close to us may have similar tasks and that is why they are there with us to do them together.

I went through several key moments in my life, which greatly influenced the direction of my life, and now that I look back, I was simply guided by some invisible hand, a positive solution from impossible situations. Likewise, there were many situations where doors were closed in my face, and where I was "told" this is not your way.

Further pushing of the closed door resulted in my getting a bruised nose, more than once, so I learned when to take action and when to stand on the ball.

Of course there are people who do not want to solve their tasks, but they are another story.

Always help when you can, and don't expect anything in return, and help will come to you when you need it, when you least expect it, maybe even from unknown people. But be careful because there are people who want to abuse it.

I've learned that only when you're focused and know what you want will you get it.

In partner relationships, one should be honest and selfless. If the partner is like that, that is the key to success. Any kind of selfishness is dangerously harmful to relationships.

When you have a goal, fight to the end.

Of course, other people have their own life stories, perhaps completely different from ours, and they have completely different approaches to life, and that's normal, and they don't need to be convinced that it's our "right" and their "wrong". That makes this world more interesting.

There's a lot more I've learned, but more on that another time.

Dule, US - 59 years old

At the threshold of 60 years and a half of that time spent abroad, many things seem different to me, especially... knowing people. It seems that everything has changed too suddenly. And, it has changed, here in US but also in Serbia, and probably most of all... me.

By getting to know an Orthodox monk Elder Ephrem, the Greek and his Hesychasm without much talking, just by active faith, I entered the God's faith with my heart and soul. It is quite different from learned faith, faith with cameras or making everyone know and brag about it and nullify any relationship with God.

Later, I tried to apply all that with people similar to me, with us Serbs and others, building the Monastery....but as the deceased Branko Ćopić said "I know us, and... you know us."

I got attached to family and nature (watching birds).

Walking, I find God more and more in places far from people.

One thing I understand is that you live and let the other live, no imposing your style with words or in any other way.

I learned that life teaches us to be honest, not "fake", and slowly prepare for the reception (for infinity) with kindness and truth, without pretentiousness.

Love and suffer, quietly without big words and enjoy your own and rejoice in other people's happiness...

Life is beautiful and just a passing stop.