Can you teach the world a lesson???

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Ramses	10 Mar 2002
Hey folks ... How are you ?...Hope youīre all fine!!! Well...I think we all have learnt something from the world, havenīt we?...We all have learnt something while reading a book,seeing a movie, observing nature, talking to someone, etc... So, why donīt we share some of that knowledge with everybody else???...Why donīt we, briefly, give a lesson here?...Even if itīs something everybody else already knows, cause itīs always good to be reminded of positive things... OK...Iīll start...Iīve learnt from my girlfriend that we gotta learn to forgive...that love must be stronger than our selfish desires...we gotta learn to understand, to listen, to help... Sotimes people do things that harm another...but they never meant to harm anyone...they just did that because they need help, and their unconscious is crying for help, sometimes in a very strange way for us to undestand... Thatīs my lesson for today...How about yours???...What have you learnt, and want to share with us???

aciddragon	10 Mar 2002
Just this past week I realized more so how important it is to tell loved ones how you feel. Life is full of unexpected turns. I have a friend who lost a friend last week. I knew her but never got to meet her. I had emailed her a few times about Wicca and Runes. I was looking forward to meeting her but now I won't have that chance. It made me think would my friends or family truely know that I loved them or how much they mean to me if something happened to me. So, the lession is to make sure they know and don't leave things on a bad note. What could be worse if someone you loved died and the last thing you did was have a fight with them and left it unresovled. I know I would be crushed and would have a very hard time forgiving myself of that.

Kiama	10 Mar 2002
Which lesson would you like me to teach it...? ;) :D Kiama

lunar_rabbit	10 Mar 2002
Don't take yourself too seriously and take pleasure in the little things in life. This is the lesson I have learned from my toddler! If only we could all allow ourselves to be as happy as she is when I put on "The Bear in Big Blue House" video, the world would be a better place.

Kiama	11 Mar 2002
Along the same lines as Lunar_rabbit's lesson: Learn to laugh at yourself. There are two reasons for this: Other people are laughing at you, so you might aswell join in the fun. You can only really laugh at others properly,and without hypocrisy, when you've properly lughed at yourself. I'm desparately trying tothink of something profound to say now... Its not working. But here's another lesson: Smile at strangers in the street. It makes them feel happier, and maybe they'll pass that smile onto some other lucky person. Maybe that lucky person will do the same. And before you know it, you've made hundreds of people happy! Kiama

Malachite	11 Mar 2002
Beleive in the power of your own heart and hands... I've seen too many people enter a downward spiral of self-percieved-inadequacy... on a more positive note.... Smile more...its helps your immune systems... Sam Gamgee's words of wisdom:.. Its the Job thats never started as takes the longest to finish... (courtesy of JRR Tolkien)...

Bella	11 Mar 2002
Have patience with yourself and others. I always try to remember this when someone is being obnoxious, defensive, angry for the smallest reason, etc. Obviously, they are not at peace with themselves and are not particularly happy people, either at that moment (maybe something really bad happened recently) or in general (just a unhappy life). What would be the point of arguing with them?--we'd both feel worse. So I always smile at them and tell them I hope they feel better or to enjoy their day. That always stops them dead in their tracks--most don't say another word.

Kiama	11 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Malachite Sam Gamgee's words of wisdom:.. Its the Job thats never started as takes the longest to finish... (courtesy of JRR Tolkien)... That's right, make me feel guilty. *Must do Psychology coursework.... Must do Psychology coursework.....* Kiama

Diana	11 Mar 2002
At the risk of sounding like a Nike advertisement: JUST DO IT!

amyel	11 Mar 2002
I suppose there are so many lessons, but I keep coming back to two: 1. "Do no harm" (wiccan version) or "Do Unto Others" (christian version) 2. "Practice random acts of kindness" - I do sometimes and I feel good about me and the smile it puts on others' faces. Lest anyone think I am super good - I'm not. In fact, sometimes I think I am just plain mean. :( I struggle with both of these lessons alot. But I succeed sometimes.

Liliana	11 Mar 2002
Tolerance, everyone needs to learn tolerance Actually, more than tolerance, respect I was watching childrens shows with my todlers today and the most amazing commercial came on. It was singing "we are family" and had characters from ALL the kids shows from 3 DIFFERENT NETWORKS People in the US know that our channels are very competitive, and never advertise each other. It confused me so I had to watch it. (the stations were PBS Nickelodeon and Disney channel for US people) At the end, it said that the 3 stations did it to show repect for tolerance and diversity. It was the most inspiring thing Ive seen on tv in a long time. Thatrs how we should be with each other, we're all unique, and it should bethat way. Hating someone because they are fat or gay ora different religion is hurtful for our collective environment. Its this kind of hate that spurred 9/11, and it really needs to stop We need to learn to truly loveone another, including our enemies, I think I do that

truthsayer	11 Mar 2002
i think teaching others about the true nature and value of forgiveness would be what i want to do most. learning how to forgive was the hardest thing i've ever had to do but ultimately the most freeing and rewarding. there are still ppl i'm working to forgive and i know i'll get there eventually. i just haven't figured out the key to why i need to hang onto my anger. when i understand the nature of my anger at that person then i'll be able to forgive her. the key is realizing that not forgiving doesn't hurt the person i'm angry at. it only hurts me. why should i punish myself for the harm some else caused? so i forgive not b/c the other person deserves it but b/c i do. i'm not saying let the person get away w/ it again. if it does happen realize that i am human and can work on the weaknesses or lack of knowledge that allowed it to happen again. i can't blame anyone but myself if i keep myself locked into a vicious cycle of self-destruction. i remember what happened as a lesson to guide me in the future as to what to avoid or how to respond differently than what i did in the past. as long as i am unable to forgive, then i have given my valuable energy and power over to someone else. when i forgive, i reclaim my energy and power and empower myself to do more w/ my life. anger holds your spirit down. releasing it frees you! it's also important to remember not to judge past actions of the child you once were thru the critical eye of the adult you are today. try to remember that ppl and times change. not forgiving and feeling guilty locks you into the past and vicious cycles that ultimately self-destructive. they hold you back from transforming and emerging from the cocoon as a butterfly!!!!! free to create who you are today in the present. each day is a gift. that's why we call it the present.

GeminiLady	12 Mar 2002
Hi gang, Hmmm...lots of good lessons posted so far...forgiveness...respect...tolerance...I agree with all of you.... :) My most recent lesson has been that it's possible to love someone and still not like them. ---and it really is ok.... --Just don't shut yourself off from the love. Love and Light, Gem

New River	13 Mar 2002
Learn to Listen. not only to what is said but what is left unsaid. love, light and hope, New River

Kimon	13 Mar 2002
Hello, the lesson I have learned is that the lessons others have learned are not working for me. Besides letting me say "O yes, wow, thatīs right!" there was never any deeper effect. All I really learned I learned by my own experience. The lessons are always the same, since the very beginning of humanity I suppose. There is just one god, but there are as many ways to him as there are people, says Sufism. Greetings, Kimon

Temperance413	21 Mar 2002
I guess the biggest lesson I've learned is to put myself in the other persons shoes, and not to judge others. I have learned that there really is two sides to every story, and sometimes there are outside reasons that just don't make sense. maybe someday we'll be shown exactly the nature of things, but how can you fault someone if you don't know the whole complete picture? My lesson is: You can't, so don't try. Mend feelings, don't go away angry, keep family tight no matter what, in my case that is very very difficult. Life is all a big lesson, it's what we learn and take with us to incorperate in our lives that counts.:)

joya250	21 Mar 2002
hi y'all... the most recent lesson I've learned it to stop and APPRECIATE all that I have.... and then, from that point, share my blessings and joy with others.....

funkpuss	21 Mar 2002
I totally agree with you all. I'm finding it very hard to forgive my ex-boyfriend but at the same time I got revenge but it was only self-destructive. I'm still very angry and need time to think if I still just want to be just friends. Until then I will do some positive thinking to get rid of this anger I still have that is stopping me from getting on with my life. As soon as I let go I will be free from anger and love will shine. FP

arizonagirl	21 Mar 2002
I finally learned that success shouldn't be judged by income. My husband and I were workaholics, totally dedicated to the earning as much as possible. Sure, we had security. Trouble was, we had no time to enjoy the money we were making. It wasn't bringing us any pleasure. We finally prioritized our life. Sold our house, quit our jobs and settled into a wonderful, simpler lifestyle. True, we don't have a 1/4 of the income we had, but what we have now can't possibly be measured in dollars. We are incredibly happy and at peace. Every day is a blessing.

The Can you teach the world a lesson??? thread was originally posted on 10 Mar 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.