What Life Lesson(s) Have You Learned That Changed How You Think/feel About Dealing With Others Or Situations?

Just this week I learned another life lesson. I have been caught up in some ugly church politics.  I was supposed to be responsible for a reception and another couple tried to usurp the project.  They tried to use the occasion for fund raising and did a lot of things I disapproved.  The Rector left town and I was told by someone else to stop all my plans for the event and stop my committee members, which I did.  I wanted to fight back but very quietly continued making preparations for food and decorations but stayed out of the limelight so to speak.  The other couple called a lot of people and tried to control the event in every way possible but they did not plan for food or publicity.  I covered that.  Today the reception was wonderful with abundant food and decorations, flowers and tributes.  We were honoring a past Music Director and dedicating a wing in his honor.  The Rector had me stand next to him with the other couple behind me.  But in his acknowledgements he turned to me and said we have “her” to thank for this wonderful reception.  The other couple had tried so hard to remove me and was so deliberate in their attempts to discredit me.  I wanted to fight back.  I wanted to tell other people how ugly I was being treated.  However I kept quiet.  I knew the day before that this couple was going to be one of the presenters.  I anticipated that I would be pushed out and they would take credit for all I had done.  I prayed and prayed about it.  I mainly wanted not to cry when I was pushed aside.  I just kept saying to myself, “Let go and let God”.  I accepted that I was not alone and that God would help me.  To have the day turn around and the other couple ending up on the outside and I getting all the praise was a big surprise.  The lesson to me is to not overreact and to never under estimate the power of prayer.

Been there, done that! Been homeless, lost every friend I had, self destructive for years. I learned that Willingness can carry you far. That no matter who gives up on you, God never will. Love thy Brother begins with Love thyself. I never go to bed without being thankful for 1. Bed, 2. Roof. 3. Heat. 4. Clean sheets 5. Hot water 6. Food. My needs are always met according to the wonderful promises God made in His word. I can throw those things away, by being an unloving person. Oh and LOVE is the most powerful force in the Universe. God made a big deal about the love, and it WILL cover a multitude of sins. I know that there is always hope and second chances for those who are still breathing. That like with computers; Garbage in, garbage out! LOL. I am careful what I allow into my head and my heart. I know that you can learn something from anyone, even the stupidest person you know, so always respect people no matter where they are on life's path. That with Children sometimes you can get a second chance at growing up, and this time you get to choose how! Peace and Love to you!..*p

One main lesson for example is there is no healing for arrogance. And every human being has forms of it, some more than others. There is no prayer or fasting or medication to heal it. Arrogance is pre-sumptious thinking of coming to an answer / conclusion about something, or assuming you know the answer to something or sincerely believing the truth about something believed to be true in reality even when we can be entirely sincerely wrong. There is no healing for that and some people can cause such "train wrecks" so to speak in their misunderstanding or cause such needless hurt in some form of another by just whimming off ideas when they had no clue to begin with or when proven the truth to just give a "OH WELL I thought I knew" shoulder shrug mentality,  that this is extremely offensive and you need to be careful with people. And I don't know what to fully say about it because it can be so bad and completely unexplainable. The best result I can come up with to get thru it with people is to be humble as best and as most you can because even the kindest people can make a complete mess of things. Oh lord help us. Yea. . Survival. Food for thought and body. Good luck with all you do. Smile often and breathe freely. Live long and prosper.

Without getting too sentimental, I would have to say that I have learned that watching my children as little babies sleeping and feeling their breath on my cheek or shoulder, seeing how dependant and trusting of me those tiny people were, was surely my biggest lesson in life. From and because of them I have learned all of the below stated....That before I can even begin to think about "dealing" with others, I must first learn to deal with myself. If I can control the way I act or react to a person or situation, then I am skilled enough to manage or contend with others. I have learned that I cannot change anyone, therefore I just let them be and work on myself. I have learned that ego manipulates and controlls. I have learned that self-pity (among others) is a misleading and self-destructive emotion. I have learned that there is more out there in this illusory display which we call the world and that there is far more than what I see in front of me.  I have learned that negativity is only energy that is waiting for its opposite to neutralize it and that it is only the dark clouds in the minds of men that shut out the light that illuminates our pathway. I have learned to accept God's compassionate hand reaching downward to me and to cultivate Him in my heart. I have learned that we all walk along side eachother but are able and entitled to choose our own path.
~I've learned that when I fail to listen I do not hear. I have learned that I have not learned all that life has to teach me. These are some of the invaluable life lessons that I have learned and that have helped me along my journey.

I have learned that before I can even begin to think about "dealing" with others, I must first learn to deal with myself. If I can control the way I act or react to a person or situation, then I am skilled enough to manage or contend with others. I have learned that I cannot change anyone, therefore I just let them be and work on myself. I have learned that ego manipulates and controlls. I have learned that self-pity (among others) is a misleading and self-destructive emotion. I have learned that there is more out there in this illusory display which we call the world and that there is far more than what I see in front of me.  I have learned that negativity is only energy that is waiting for its opposite to neutralize it and that it is only the dark clouds in the minds of men that shut out the light that illuminates our pathway. I have learned to accept God's compassionate hand reaching downward to me and cultivate Him in my heart. I've learned that when I fail to listen I do not hear. I have learned that I have not learned all that life has to teach me. These are some of the invaluable life lessons that I have learned and that have helped me along my journey.

I came from a very large family, 8 kids counting me. There were times when the food was scarce, but there was always something to eat. I too stock my freezer, and cupboards, I can't stand to think that there isn't anything out there to eat, I too hate to waste food, and will make several meals from a turkey and chicken, and really anything else that gets left over.

Well lets see..... I know what it's like to be homeless so I really appreciate a comfortable place to sleep, warm food, shelter and a shower much more now.... I learned the hard way that no amount of drugs will ease the pain of the past...... Sex does not fill that empty space in your heart.... Compulsive habits like stealing are not good habits and one trip to jail fixed that and thank god my sister has a heart and bailed me out....

You would not even begin to believe me if I told you. It is a very long story , so let it just suffice to say that I treat others as I would have them treat me. I try to be as polite and affable as possible to everyone. And I try to never turn down a request fro my help. Please do not think this is all I have learned from my very tumultous life , but these are the main things. Always stick to your guns when you are right also, but keep an open mind.

Oh wowzers! There is so much I could put here, but I think the most important lesson I've learned that I pass on to my friends is that having children is a gift and should NEVER be taken lightly. Everything we do, say, don't do, don't say, reactions, fears...it all gets passed on to our children even before they're born. Every decision we make affects them in their childhood. If you feel yourself thinking that something you're about to do or say shouldn't affect your child, that's probably when it's going to affect them the most.

I cant imagine how it felt for you to live on the streets ! I suppose I should count my blessings, After much thought I, after losing my Parents and brothers I would say, Live Life To The Max, but be careful. Thanks for your questions. TAKE CARE.