Every One And Every Thing Is A Teacher

By Dick O'Brien M.A.S.c

In this article I am continuing my series on the lessons of life. It is my experience that as we deal with the many surprises and vicissitudes of our existence we will travel either as a student or a victim of life. The student learns and becomes better with each challenge they face. The victim, though sincere and genuine, becomes more defeated and disillusioned.

We have a choice here. It is one of the most significant choices you will ever make in your life. It reflects whether you choose to see your struggles as teachers or as burdens.

The Student of Life chooses the Path of Life Long Learning

Continuous personal learning is the standard in the workplace today. If you are not learning you are losing. No one is qualified or finished with their education. Everyone and everything is a teacher and every day has a new lesson. Some people still don't get it!

"I must take personal responsibility for improving and maintaining my value at work and home. I now know that I will either become a student or a causality of life. Never again will I allow myself to become redundant or outdated. I must make daily learning a habit of life and look for opportunities to enhance my skills and increase my capacities. I will become a student of life and work and dedicate myself to continuous personal growth."

The Student of Life chooses their attitude every day for that day

Attitude is everything. Your attitude about work, people and life telegraphs clear messages to others about how you want them to treat you. Understand that your attitude is either part of your baggage or part of your value to your company, your family your friends.

"I need to be aware of the lenses by which I view the changes and challenges taking place in my life and at my work. I now know that sometimes my own view of life is the real problem and other people see this. I must be aware of my own Attitude and Impact it has on others. Each morning as I awake I will choose my attitude for that day and the attitude that I choose will reflect the gratitude, optimism and compassion that reflect the person I really am."

The Student of Life knows the Lesson of Self Talk

We function at the level of our most dominant thought. As ye think so ye become. The conversations we have in the privacy of our own mind are not innocent. It is these very thoughts that create the success or failure for the entire day. We either are the captain or captive of our own thoughts.

"I must develop the capacity for effective Self Counsel. I need to be my own best friend rather than my own worst enemy. I no longer want to doubt, criticize or depreciate myself. Instead I will encourage, forgive and teach myself to deal with my faults. I will begin by interrupting my negative trains of thought. I now know that I cannot afford another self-inflicted personal put down along the path of life."

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