15 Life Lessons You Don't Learn in School

There is the type of education we get in school, and there are life lessons we learn along the way.

Both are important.

The only problem is that life moves us far along before we figure out what's going on, and the wisdom we hope to gain is sometimes late in coming.

To spare you some hard knocks and trial and error, here are some life lessons to help you.

The Life Lessons

1. As Richard Carlson has said, 'Don't sweat the small stuff,' and most of it is small stuff. We often get stressed and worked up over "stuff" that, in the grand scheme of things, really doesn't matter. When we get too caught up in it, we ruin our perspective and don't take time to enjoy the moment.

2. Life can be unpredictable and throw you some curves. Just say "never" and see what happens! To avoid the jolt when life's surprises come your way, be prepared by being open-minded and maintain a positive mindset that welcomes the life lessons offered.

3. The most boring word in any language is "I". It's wonderful to be self-confident and self-sufficient. However, it's not all about you. Nothing is more monotonous than hearing someone talk endlessly about themselves and their accomplishments. Being self-centered is not the same as having self-confidence.

4. People are more important than things. Relationships are more important than any material goods you may acquire on the road to success. Without the love and support of family and friends in life, material goods are not of much use. Setting your values and priorities can help you establish what's important.

5. Nobody else can make you happy. Your happiness and state of mind are your responsibility. It's up to each of us to know what it takes to be balanced and happy. Our relationships enhance our lives and make them richer, but they do not "make" us happy. We do.

6. Character and integrity count. It's important to be a person of honor. Your good words and deeds inspire trust and confidence from family, friends, and employers. Be the kind of person others are proud to know.

7. Forgive yourself, your friends, and your enemies. We are all only too human. All of us slip sometimes and make mistakes. Holding grudges and past hurts only prevents us from enjoying life to the fullest.

8. A good joke can be better than any pill. Take time to laugh each day. Humor really is good medicine.

9. There are no substitutes for exercise, eating well, and fresh air and sunshine. Never take your health for granted or underestimate how much feeling good physically affects your moods.

Enjoy this article on The Benefits of Regular Exercise. It's full of helpful tips.

10. Persistence will eventually get you almost anything. Never give up. Keep your goals and dreams alive.

11. Television probably ruins more minds than drugs. Get away from the TV and read, exercise, learn, and stretch yourself.

12. It's okay to fail. Everyone has failed at one time or another. Failure is a great life teacher. It teaches us humility and how to correct our course of action. Thomas Edison had a great attitude towards failure. He said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

13. Learn from the mistakes of others. An old Zen proverb states: "It takes a wise man to learn from his mistakes, but an even wiser man to learn from others."

14. Don't be afraid to show and tell others you love them. Life is short, so learn to give and receive love. Love and be loved.

15. Live so that there is only standing room at your funeral. Be the best spouse, parent, friend, boss, or worker you can be to leave the world a better place than you found it.

"The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson." Tom Bodett