Random acts of philosophy
My friend Mike is going through something of a transition period in his life right now, and last week we got on the subject of life lessons, things you would do differently, etc. As for me, the last few years have taught me that you learn something important from every interaction you have with people, and everything that happens to you. In fact, probably my most positive lessons in life have come from negative experiences, especially with other people. Most of them I wouldn’t go back and change for anything, because they’ve made me the person I am today. And for all my problems, I’m pretty happy with that person.
A few weeks ago my priest made sort of a cool comment that has stuck in my mind since. I don’t remember the exact wording, but he said something to this effect: Try to learn from other’s mistakes, because we won’t live long enough to make them all ourselves.
Now I believe whole-heartedly in experiencing things for ourselves, and sometimes that’s the only way we learn some lessons. But I think some of that rings true. It’s sometimes easier to open our eyes and learn from someone else’s experience, instead of repeating the same mistake, and save ourselves a little grief in the process.
Thanks Adam for giving me a time and place to throw that out there, as it’s been sitting in my head wanting to be let out for a while now. 😉