Life's Classroom

     I have a struggled quite a bit living life. Battling alcoholism, depression, an anxiety disorder and social phobias I have crossed an emotional landscape often painted bleak and barren as the winter sky. Let me say that through all my trials there has been no crueler individual to me, than myself; the harsh critic inside my head that demands absolute perfection. A wise man once said, that this no worse enemy than our thoughts unguarded. How true that is.             This is not a story about the difficulties in my life, but rather, the lessons that I have learned; to share to all who wish to read them, that they may benefit others.

      As I am 6 months shy of 40; lamenting how youth is wasted on the young, and I ask not what could have been, but what can still be?

     These are the lessons, in no particular order, that now guide me, hopefully, to me a more fulfilling life. There are a just handful of self-truths that maybe one day I will write a story for each one.

1)       If you want friends, learn to be a friend to others.

2)      If you want love, learn to love others first.

3)      If you want self-esteem, so things that are esteem-able.

4)      Misery loves company, but Happiness is contagious.

5)      That which is like itself, is drawn; i.e. your thoughts create your reality.

6)      Life is hard; in order to be successful at anything, you need to be dedicated to it first.

7)      It’s not what you are that holds you back, but what you think you are not.

8)      The mind is like parachute, it does not work unless it’s open.

9)      Follow your bliss but don’t neglect your responsibilities

10)   All of humanity is one, our self-imagined boundaries divide us.

11)   Being of service to those less fortunate is the noblest of deeds.

12)   10 minutes at night spent in prayer and meditation makes the day much brighter.

13)   Greed is not good

14)   I am responsible for my own happiness.

15)   That Love really does make the world go around.