Choose to “Live and Learn” and Really Take Advantage of Everything Around You
There is so much around us that we are able to experience and consume on an everyday basis. We come into contact with all different types of people, we have access to all sorts of information and we move through each day having different types of experiences.
Many people will go through life and react to what is in front of them or what they are experiencing in the best way they know how and just move on to the next situation, never really looking at it as a learning experience. They will run into a person who is confrontational, respond as they see fit and then move on to the next situation, never really thinking about a personal takeaway lesson. Or, they will come across an interesting perspective in an article, but will never really do much else with it or integrate into their thinking.
It is often believed that these things are nothing more than the ordinary occurrences of life. People, experiences and things come in and out of life on a regular basis and you are meant to pay attention to them while they are there and then move on to the next round of things that come your way. That is all there is to it.
But…as always, there is a different perspective…
Live and Learn: The alternaview
The alternaview is that we should actually pay attention to every single thing that comes in and out of our life and look to learn as much as we can from it. There is a reason that something comes into our field of attention and we should really pay attention and maximize any and all opportunities to learn from it because otherwise we are missing out on an important lesson.
We are all supposed to eventually reach that place where we have the same fundamental understanding on life and those things around us. Yes, we will have our own particular understanding and perspective, but it will be grounded in common truths. As a result, we all have a lesson plan that is perfectly customized for us and based on who we are, what we already know and what we still need to learn. We just need to make certain we are learning it.
The information that is a part of our particular lesson plan comes to us from all different types of directions, but in order to benefit from it, we have to be aware and know that we are supposed to learn from it. And, if we are tuned into that reality and always looking to understand and learn from those things around us, then we will really move through life absorbing all the information we were meant to. We will successfully be completing our customized lesson plan.
Believe it or not, there are lessons in life just like there are in school. And, we are either learning the lesson, passing the test and moving on to the next lesson or…we are not processing the information like we should, which means it must be repeated and repeated until it is learned. Have you ever noticed those people, (admittedly, perhaps even yourself), that continue to experience the same issue over and over again? Each time it may be a little different, but when you step back and really look at it, it is the same lesson packaged in a different box.
Although it may be necessary, it is not ideal to repeat lessons over and over again. Life just gets so much easier and really unfolds when we are learning the lessons we are supposed to and understanding what is working and what is not. We then become able to integrate the most helpful thoughts and behaviors that will allow us to get the most out of life...and that's really what it is all about.
How to use this alternaview:
1. We have to be open to expanding our thinking in new ways that we never have. We need to be willing to absorb all different types of information and perspectives. Perhaps we read all types of books, blogs and any other information that challenges our current thinking. We don’t always have to agree with the new information, but we do need to be willing to challenge our ideas and beliefs so we can see where we end up. Perhaps we had it right to begin with, but the reality is that we will not know unless we allow our ideas and beliefs to be challenged and put to the test.
2. We need to be willing to learn from the issues and challenges that arise. It is understandable that we may need to see a lesson a couple of times before we really understand, but there is no reason why we should be unable to break out of a negative pattern. Understanding that we find ourselves in situations for a specific reason, we should continually be asking ourselves what the takeaway lesson is? Is there something we should be learning from this experience?
3. We need to learn from our successes. We should take notice of what is working and what is contributing to our success. It is important to understand what we did and how we approached situations when things went right so that we can repeat these behaviors and approaches over and over again. Developing and repeating good habits is just as important as getting rid of bad ones.
4. We need to be looking to learn from the other people around us. Everyone we come into contact with is able to teach us a lesson as long as we are interested in learning it. It may be a lesson in patience (this lesson is often taught by tolerating difficult people) or perhaps there are things people are doing well that we should also focus on doing…the list goes on and on. When you are open to learning from other people, there is so much you can learn as long as you are interested and paying attention.
We are supposed to learn lessons and move on to the next one, so that we can develop a toolkit filled with good habits, positive perspectives and information that will help us successfully move through life and take advantage of all it has to offer. In order to really be able to do this, we have to be interested in learning and take notice in the right way of the people and things around us. The key is to understand that as cliché as it may sound, we really are meant to live and learn…that is the alternaview.
Do you live and learn? Do you agree with this alternaivew?
10 Responses »
Leave a Response
Entries(RSS)
Great post. I have learned that we have to give up our pride and be willing to learn. Reflecting on our experiences and other's criticisms of us is important in progressing towards a better person.
I'd like to add this to my new blog carnival (obsessedanalytic.com/carnival/). Let me know if you mind or not. I'm trying to target the best Time and Money advice online and like your blog and drive traffic to those sites.
Thanks!
Ryan´s last blog ..How to Build a Homemade Hot Air Balloon
Ryan: Thanks for the comment and welcome to the alternaview. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said a part of being able to live and learn means that you are willing to let go of your ego. We have to be open minded to the reality that other people and the things around us really can help us learn as long as we are paying attention. I think once we become open to this approach and consistently focus on living and learning we are increasingly able to see the value in our lives of doing so. Thanks again for the comment and the invitation to your blog carnival. Have a good evening. Sibyl
Hi Sibyl.
I like your philosophy of looking at life from an alternative perspective. I can completely agree that learning comes from being attentive to daily life. Your 'back to school' image reminds me how there was little learning going on when I was at school as the context was too much removed from life for me.
At school I was told I could not write essays, of course I could not write on conceptual topics, I had nothing to say.
So at school I gave up learning to write and I came away knowing writing was not for me.
Then in my professional career I wrote lots of reports, however I never saw that as writing.
Now I am writing a blog and again I never saw that as writing until recently. I now realize that my life experiences is teaching me to write while school never did.
Love Wilma
Wilma: Thank you so much for the comment and welcome to the alternaview. It is interesting to think that sometimes really just boils down to learning and being attentive to those things around us. It is also interesting how when we look back on the things we have experienced, they are all meant to teach us something and prepare us for our next steps, we just have to make sure we are learning the lesson. Thanks again for the comment. Have a great weekend. Sibyl
Hi Sibyl.
This is actually something I think I am good at in some respects. A friend pointed out to me that I often take a good or learned light from what occurs. This helps me in various ways. I improve for the next time, and I don't get bogged down in the current time.
There are lessons tossed at us regularly, and the few who watch for them get to learn them and move on to the next step.
Your point about learning from people around us is a tough one at times. We can assume that we know more than those around us, but that doesn't help. When we allow others to make us better, it doesn't make us weaker.
Armen Shirvanian´s last blog ..Empowering Thoughts And Fearful Thoughts
Armen: Living and learning is something that is extremely beneficial to be good and just based on what I read on your blog, I would imagine you are good at. You are always so attentive to those things around you and this is such an important skill. I agree with you about learning from the people around us. It is easy to overlook the importance of that, especially if it is disguised in someone who pushes your buttons. Thanks for the comment and the insights. Sibyl
Hi Sibyl. This is a really good post and one that is so relevant in today's busy world. The world rushes by us at a pace of knots and we rarely take the time to process what;'s coming in and out of our life. I loved the idea of life giving us a customized learning plan.
Steven Aitchison´s last blog ..How To Make A Quantum Leap
Steven: Thank you so much for the comment and welcome to the alternaview. It is great to have you here and I am a HUGE fan of your blog. I am glad you enjoyed the post and I agree that if we aren't taking notice of what is going on around us, it is easy to miss the lessons and the things that are coming in and out our life. It is all about tuning in as much as we can and the better we are able to do that, the more we are really able to experience and learn from life. Thanks again for the comment and dropping by. Have a great weekend. Sibyl
Sibyl, thank you for the really helpful four points you listed in another excellent post. I agree with Armen, here, in that I also think I am good at living and learning in whatever situation I am in. Living in different countries and cultures has helped me develop the flexibility and empathy that opens communication and understanding. I have faced countless unfamiliar circumstances, and each time, if I remain attentive and centered, I have learned something new and valuable. I feel I am on a lifelong journey of experiencing and learning, where so many insights and treasures unfold and reveal themselves. Thank you for visiting my blog here in Japan, Sibyl. Mount Fuji may not be feeling so good today - please drop by again to see what is happening - Catrien Ross.
Catrien Ross´s last blog ..Catrien Ross on Blasting Mount Fuji to Bits – Does Live-Fire Artillery Count As a Spiritual Distraction?
Catrien: Thanks for the comment. I would imagine that your experiences of living in different countries and cultures has really heightened your ability to really live and learn. It really has always been fascinating to me to hear your perspectives and it is definitely evident that you have always been committed to living and learning because they are just so insightful. Thanks again for the comment and as always...I am on my way to energydoorways.com to see your latest post. Sibyl