“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” Sir Winston Churchill
A few weeks ago I read an interesting article about the trials and triumphs in the life of the author. At the end of the article he listed 100 lessons he had learned in his life up to that point.
After reading his list I began to develop my list. It took a little work, but I came up with 103 lessons I have learned in my forty- three years of life.
I have experienced great highs and discouraging lows. I have seen success and failure in both business and ministry. I have seen life enter into the world and life exit the world. I have overcome intense struggles in my family to see God’s blessings shine through.
Here is my list of 103 life lessons. I hope they bless your life as they have mine. Here they are:
103 Lessons
- Learn to let go of people whose season is over in your life.
- Worrying doesn’t add to your life it only subtracts.
- Blaming others for where you are hinders your progress.
- It’s alright to be different.
- Don’t give up to easily.
- Holding onto unforgiveness hurts you more than the other person.
- You will miss living your vision waiting for someone’s permission.
- Don’t waste time trying to change people. You can’t change them, so don’t try.
- Succumbing to your fears will hold your life hostage.
- It’s okay to give yourself a break from the busyness of life.
- You can separate yourself from negative and pessimistic people.
- Prayer is the key to winning life’s battles.
- Somebody will always tell you your vision is impossible. Take action anyway.
- You might think you’re not good enough, but you’ll shock yourself when you try.
- Your job does not validate who you are.
- You can become who God designed you to be.
- It’s your choice whether you live an exceptional or mediocre life.
- Failure is a part of life.
- It will come a time in your life when you must walk by faith and not by sight.
- You are not a carbon copy of anyone.
- Reading unlocks the knowledge you need to live by wisdom.
- Don’t let others tell you what you can or cannot do.
- Everyone that smiles in your face is not your friend.
- Focusing on someone else’s vision will cause you to miss living yours.
- Don’t be afraid to learn something new.
- It is okay to have fun and enjoy life.
- You can tell your negative inner voice to shut up.
- Money is a tool to be used and not abused.
- Love God more than you do anyone or anything.
- Family is important.
- You are what you think about.
- Write your vision and make it plain for you and those connected to it.
- You don’t have to be famous or rich to make a difference.
- Ask for what you want. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive.
- Don’t let past mistakes hold you hostage from making now decisions.
- There will always be somebody more successful, smarter, faster and better looking than you.
- God did not give you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
- Money and things don’t matter if your health is bad.
- It is possible to live your dreams.
- You want be young all your life.
- There is a consequence for sin.
- Church has some of the greatest actors in the world.
- It is okay to cry.
- Don’t spend more time on social media than you do with your family and friends.
- You can win without being arrogant and you can lose without living defeated.
- Live life at maximum capacity because you only get one chance.
- Too much debt is a form of slavery.
- Don’t waste time trying to impress people who don’t care about you or who don’t know you exist.
- Throw the word can’t out of your vocabulary.
- Don’t wait for people to encourage you, get in the mirror and encourage yourself.
- You have the power to live an extraordinary life.
- The Bible has the answer for every situation you deal with.
- Christ is the answer for your life.
- It is better to listen and learn than to experience and lose.
- It is okay to admit that you have issues.
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- You cannot change what you are unwilling to confront
- Run from gripping and complaining people.
- Failure is only final if you don’t pick yourself up and try again
- Settling sets you up for mediocrity.
- You don’t have to take life so seriously.
- Your spouse and children are a gift from God.
- You must take responsibility for your life.
- It is okay to own nice things, but don’t let them own you.
- Stop and tell someone how much you appreciate them.
- Your words have power to lift up or tear down.
- Education does not stop after school, it continues throughout your life.
- Slow down and enjoy the people around you.
- Do what scares you.
- Don’t ever think you can’t be replaced.
- Stop watching so much TV.
- Give yourself permission to live your vision.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
- Do something that is totally different from the norm.
- Don’t think of cost. Think of value.
- Success and failure begins with what the mind believes is possible.
- All work and no play will kill you.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables and drink more water
- It is okay to say ‘no’.
- Don’t make a rash decision on limited information. Get the facts and make an intelligent decision.
- It is okay to ask for help.
- You have the right to change your mind if you want.
- Get enough sleep and rest. A tired body and restless mind does not produce at maximum capacity.
- Stop waiting on God to do what He has already done.
- Stop texting or checking your phone when you’re with other people. Give them your undivided attention.
- You overcome your fears by facing them.
- Show gratitude.
- Focus only on the things you can control and leave the rest up to God.
- To have a friend, you must show yourself friendly.
- Talk about your blessings more than you talk about your problems.
- Don’t listen to what people say, watch what they do.
- Get around people that are doing more than you, know more than you and make more money than you.
- You don’t know what you can accomplish until you do it.
- Treat people the way you want to be treated.
- It’s easier to take small action steps now instead of waiting to take one big action step someday.
- Live below your means. Don’t buy things you don’t need or can’t afford.
- Give a 10% tithe from your gross to the Lord.
- Don’t run for your responsibilities.
- Never pass up a chance to say “I love you” to the people you care most about because you aren’t promised tomorrow.
- When you try to please everybody you will end up pleasing nobody.
- Your fears will expose the level of your faith.
- Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, it means moving on.
- Smile and laugh daily.
Questions: What lessons have you learned in your life that you can add to the list? Leave a comment below.
floyd says
Wow. That’s a great list! How could anyone argue with that wisdom? That is the type of wisdom bought with a price… the kind that can’t be taken from you by anything or anyone. A gift from God. Thanks for the list, my mind is spinning…
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Floyd. I wanted to share these thoughts to hopefully inspire and motivate.
Barb Raveling says
Wow, I’m 53 – I hate to think of how long my list should be! There is so much meat on your list, Bernard – lots of good lessons. I thought number 71 was funny. Mine would say, “Stop wasting so much time on the Internet.”
I’m trying something new today – I can’t check emails or spend any time on the internet until I finish my four hours of writing for the day. That should cut my wasting time down since I only waste time on it when I’m procrastinating my writing!
i feel so proud that I actually did my four hours today before lunch! If you ever see me commenting on my blog early in the morning, you’ll know I’m not sticking to my new plan.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Barb. I had more, but I stopped at 103. One I should have included was, ‘stop wasting time doing nothing’. Fours of writing is a lot. Are you working on a novel?
Barb Raveling says
Haha, no, I’m not a fiction writer. I’m writing all kinds of things – devotions for a Sunday school take home magazine, a book with all my eating app questions and Bible verses in it (I have an iPhone app out called I Deserve a Donut), and a 30 Day Weight Loss Bible study called Taste for Truth – I’m afraid I’m trying to finish two many things at once, but I’m trying to just focus on one or two at a time. Also trying to keep my blog going! Oh – and I could also include, “Stop wasting time doing nothing.” Sometimes I wonder where the time goes!
Bernard Haynes says
You have a lot going on. I wish you the best. If there is anything I can help with please let me know.
Barb Raveling says
Thanks, Bernard!
Ngina Otiende says
Wow this list is so powerful Bernard, so inspirational. I love all of them and am particularly encouraged by the thread running through it – have fun, don’t take yourself too seriously, trust God, let people be people.
A while back I published something similar on my blog and one of the lessons was
“Working on my strengths beats focusing on my weakness.”
Great thoughts here, I pray they inspire and encourage many
Bernard Haynes says
Ngina, thanks for stopping by. I love your lesson. I may have to use it as one of my thoughts to think on.
Ngina Otiende says
no probs 🙂 i know you’d add some real meat and encouragement 🙂
Dan Black says
These are all great lessons Bernard!!! I’m bookmarking this post to come back and reread them.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks, Dan. Decided to do something a little different.
Dan Black says
Good idea!