10 Things Life Has Taught Me
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things Life Has Taught Me

In the mind of a 19-year-old, this is what I believe important to learn early on in life.

86
10 Things Life Has Taught Me
Mackenzie Webb

I think I can be one of many who can say they would love to dwell on certain events of the past. I can also be one of many more who would disagree with that, and would like to move onto the future as soon as possible. Either way, no one should wish for time back, or regret what has occurred, or anything of that nature. Although I’ve only lived 19 years, I have quite the opinion on replaying memories, and wishing for something to happen just “one more time.” With that said, here are 10 important things to remember when dwelling on the past.

  1. The past is the past and not a single thing can be changed about it. The bad memories can not be erased physically, but mentally we can only do our very best to forget those memories ever occurred. And for the good memories, all we can do to “relive” them is look at old pictures and try to remember the minor details of the glory which occurred.
  2. Mistakes are nothing more than lessons learned. On the contrary to what the mind might think, or deceive our souls of, any mistake turns out in the end to be one of the millions of lessons learned throughout the bumpy road of life. So stop being hard on yourself, you’ll see the purpose of the “mistake” in the end. It’s okay. Life goes on.
  3. Parents will be parents, but they do it out of love. “Come in for dinner,” “Take a shower,” or “Do your homework” are three very familiar phrases heard from the parental guidance in a child’s life. And all too often the response to those was a moaning and upset child disagreeing saying they weren’t hungry, or I’m not dirty, or the lie of I don’t have any. But turns out the parent is {almost} always right. You skipped dinner to play outside and went to bed hungry. You chose not to shower because it was such a hassle and you got grass and dirt in your bed. You didn’t do your homework because you wanted to watch the newest tv show and now it’s due as a test grade. I promise parents really know what's best– because guess what? They went through the same things. So, maybe we should listen no matter how much it pains us. (I’m still working on learning this lesson.)
  4. Don’t get caught wishing time away, or wishing time to go faster. I believe in the deepest parts of my soul that this is my biggest lesson learned. I think the first time I realized how much time I had wished away was the last first football game I ever cheered at. I think the saddest time, I realized how fast time was moving was when I drove through three different states to arrive over four hours away from home to my new home (college) in good ole Mississippi. And now here I sit with only seven semesters left in college, where did the time go?
  5. High school isn’t forever and I promise life gets better. After experiencing four years of the same school, same people, and same surroundings, I can proudly say I’m done with high school. But boy did I think it would never end. From the girls who I wanted to be, to the boys I wanted to be with– I went in and came out two completely different people. I promise in the end high school teaches you MANY things you need for a healthy life. One small thing I will say is that it's totally okay if you don’t have the most expensive car or the cutest clothes, LIFE GOES ON and here are many more important things in life than the latest designer clothes or the newest Jeep Wrangler.
  6. Let you do you, and be true to you. I can’t stress enough how important this is. I wish I would’ve learned this lesson sooner than I actually did, but at least I learned it at some point. My senior year of high school I began to step out and understand that I am me and if people don’t like me for me then why use so much energy and try so hard to change just for them. God made you the way you are and that’s how you should be, so be proud and stand up for who you truly are!
  7. Stand strong in your faith and know God is always there. This is easily one of the toughest jobs and goals I’ve had for myself, especially after being more involved in boys and parties and such that took place in high school and continued into college. I would agree that one of the main reasons I have had issues with keeping up with God is because the people around me and close to me have not been completely immersed in his love and mercy. But as a group of some sort of “Christians” came onto campus one week I realized how much of a silent and lurking presence God plays in my life. It was then that I began to realize who God was for me and how he knew me for every strand of hair and how he was my forever. Never lose sight of God and know in your heart, and let others know in their hearts, that God is amazing and powerful and everyone needs to know who he is and what he does.
  8. Boys are boys, but it’s okay because we all still love them and will always fall for them. It’s really okay, at some point or another we’re all going to fall for a boy, or two, or three, or more. And thats not the issue, it’s what we choose to do with that urning for that boy you maybe shouldn’t be with or that boy who causes too much trouble for you, or maybe you’re falling for a boy hopelessly and he doesn’t even see you. The biggest lesson I learned through boy troubles is don’t change your values, beliefs, or personality just for a boy. It’s not worth it, I promise. Because when you’re left on the side of the road with a broken heart and tears running down your face, you’re going to have no idea who you are anymore and that is the single scariest, worst, loneliest feeling in the entire world. So be yourself and find a boy who likes you for you.
  9. Be open and welcoming to new people, friends, and environment. As I transferred into the stage of life where I left for college, this lesson hit me the hardest. I moved over four hours away from home in a completely different state. I knew less than five people out of the tens of thousands of kids who attended the same school I did. But guess what? They were all in the EXACT same position I was. We were fresh out of high school in a new place with new faces and big scary unknown beginnings were about to take place. This is when you have to step back and set aside your shyness and branch out because for all you know your maid of honor could be the girl who sits two rows behind you in your 8 a.m. Calculus class. So drink your coffee, wake yourself up and go say hi, it could be the beginning to the greatest thing in your life.
  10. Be spontaneous, young, and live to have fun. Time doesn’t stop. People don’t stop going, and the earth doesn’t stop spinning. With this said I’ve learned that opportunities may not knock twice and adventures are unique. So take what you can and live with what God has given you. It’s hard, yes, I know. But I promise with all my heart, if God gave you this life to live, He knows and trusts in you that you will handle it well and tackle it with confidence. So go on that hiking trip, sail the ocean blue, and float through the clouds with a fearless attitude and take every breath you can get. Every single breath is priceless, use them wisely.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40627
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25228
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950846
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

132725
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments