"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

I've learned...

This was sent to me by a cousin I met this summer for the first time - Marlyn and that is the spelling of her name.

It is about learning.

To Friends and Family

Written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. ( I don't know if this is from him or not - but it's good)

I've learned..... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people who are smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned.... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned .... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

This article blew me away - I love each and every thing it said. Either I have heard about it - learned it, or am in process of learning about it. The only one I agree disagree is about time healing wounds - I think or I know for me that is true - that time or love can heal wounds. Now I was going to highlight my favorite ones , but I was high lighting all of them. So share your wisdom today.

Now do you think you have to be older to know all this - I kind of do or you have had to go through a lot of life's lessons early in life. If you don't go through some pain - then I don't think you can get these as easily.

Now look at Ann Frank.

"I know what I want, I have a goal, an opinion, I have a religion and love. Let me be myself and then I am satisfied. I know that I’m a woman, a woman with inward strength and plenty of courage." Anne Frank

From Nikki at Gentle Recovery


Wow - she died so young and yet she is more mature then I am.

Which ones do you like - do you have anything you've learned you want to share?

I have one - I've learned that life is like a circle - your either on top of the circle enjoying life or at rock bottom or your moving up or down. It never stays the same. We must be adaptable to change.



I am a bit late reading posts and emails - but I will!

43 comments:

larkswing said...

Very Nice List!

Have a WONDERFUL day!

Jill said...

This is fantastic!

I like your analogy of life being a circle. It's perfect in so many ways.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Sandie Sweetie...
Oh what a beautiful share this morning. Isn't it funny how as we read this list, at our ages now, we can so relate. I love it, and thank you for sharing this morning. It did make me smile.

A smile goes a mile, in a persons heart.

Have a great day sweetie. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Marti said...

What a list! They are all good lessons. One that I always try to remember is--I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. Have a good day
Marti

Clint said...

When Jesus said "Build on Rock, because the wind will blow and the rain will fall, and all who have built on sand will perish"......

That is the great truth for all of us in everything we do in life, isn't it?

Sr. Ann Marie said...

What a wonderful list to ponder. I have this great urge to copy all of them and use one each day to journal about. I especially like the one that says that under every person's hard shell is someone who wants to be loved and appreciated. That really gave me something to think about--and to continue not only to think about but to act on.
Many thanks!

MadSnapper said...

my favorite is this one
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. for a couple of years i did volunteer work with a homeless ministry. the one thing they drummed in our head was the fact the homeless want us to acknowledge them with words or smiles or both. many of them said people will not look at them or look them in the eyes or speak or smile. a smile is so easy and cost nothing and blesses us as much as it does the receiver.
my biggest thing is i don't like change, i don't like change in anything, and i fight against it tooth and nail. and sometimes i do try to ignore the facts and that is even knowing that what we ignore does not go away.

Sush said...

Words of wisdom and living life to the hilt! Thanks~

Love Of Quilts said...

I'm old enought to know these are good words of wisdom. Trish

Jeanie said...

Each if these has it's own wisdom. I think "that being kind is more important than being right" speaks the loudest to me.

Knitty said...

They are all wonderful!

My dad used to say that just because other people are nasty (definition could mean their words or their deeds), you don't have to be nasty too.

Sometimes when I am grousing about someone in my head and plotting what I would do if I could get away with it...I hear his voice.

You're right dad, as always.

Southhamsdarling said...

Brilliant list Chatty. I couldn't pick out just one, as they are all so very good. I agree with you about Anne Frank. I have seen lots of quotes of hers, and she really must have been wise beyond her years. Hope all is well with you my friend.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is very good, Sandie! Of course I agree with the child falling to sleep in your arms. But also I love the one about being kind is better than being right. ALSO being kind is better than being smart, or almost any other thing. People prize intelligence too much, I think. It is great to be smart and clever, but we need a heart after God and being kind is doing that.

Whosyergurl said...

True that! I think when you are very busy you accomplish more because you have to...you have to be organized. I have a friend who is retired and she never gets anything done and can't tell you why. Another friend's mom was late with her Christmas cards the first year she was retired! :-) All we can do is keep on keepin' on! xo, Cheryl

Eat To Live said...

I really like this one.
I've learned..... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

Now, if I could only get my Daughter and Grandkids to learn that one. LOL

Sally said...

I agree that life is ever changing.

Have read that before, but it never gets old. And, I sure miss him on Sunday nights. But, Old Andy gave his all. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree, thats my theory, life as a circle,,beautiful post, thankyou for visiting me also, your visits really make my day,

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thanks for sharing this. Those are some wonderful words of wisdom.

Belle said...

I used to watch Andy Rooney years ago on 60 minutes. I didn't know he had such a soft, good heart. I love everything he said.

The newest quote I've tried to learn from this year was from Joyce Meyer. She said, "You don't have to think about everything that pops into your head (the negative stuff), you can choose what to think about. She calls it, "Thinking on Purpose".

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

An excellent compilation of I've Learneds. Wonder if it really was Andy Rooney who wrote it?

Lois Christensen said...

I do think you have to be older to completely understand his list. I love it! When I think back over my life, I wish there were many things on this list that I had learned when I was younger. Too bad we can't, right? Hope you're having a good day!

Sharon said...

Hmm...contemplative Chatty today.

This was my favorite one:

"I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts."

Here's why. It reminded me of God. God stands outside of our *sense* of reality. He is Absolute Truth, whether one chooses to believe in Him or not. He is not changed or diminished or negated by anyone's disbelief.

Yes, He can be ignored - but that doesn't make Him any less REAL.

And, I would have to agree with you on the age thing. Anne Frank was an "old soul" with wisdom beyond her years. Maybe God gave that measure of grace to her knowing that she would die young. But, usually age is the great teacher for most of us.

Although, I have to say, I still see some really "life-dumb" older people. Good sense isn't always a guarantee.

And that is my two cents' worth - which is probably only worth about a widow's mite in this economy!

Shug said...

These are good....I feel like I have learned today too! I love the one of "the best classroom is at the feet of the ederly"
Good Post..
Shug

TexWisGirl said...

i've read the rooney list before. i really like your circle analogy...

Lynn said...

I've seen this list before and like it! I've learned that the folks that are always saying "why is everyone, what's the problem with everyone, etc." really need to look at themselves.

Ann said...

It's funny how you read list like these and you agree with all of them and even though you try real hard some of them aren't always so easy to live by
Nice post today :)

jeanlivingsimple said...

I also have seen the list...but it is very worthy of reading again.
To me life is like a spiral which looks like a circle when viewed from the top looking down or the bottom looking up.

Michaele said...

I have only read some of those. I didn't know the list was so long. They are ALL true. Very well written!

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

A great list.......

The Boston Lady said...

What a wonderful list. I think you have to have endured some of life's hardships to appreciate many of those and Anne Frank unfortunately lived a lifetime in her young life. I always remember a quote from her that said something to the effect that people are inherently good - after seeing and suffering as she did.

What I've learned in life? To forgive someone is a gift you give yourself. It's something I've learned over and over again.

Thanks Sandie. Ann

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Like you, I loved every one of these sayings..
I came out of thirty years of abuse in my first marriage. The one thing I know I learned, is that everything that happens to us, is for a reason and a purpose. I don't take love or life for granted.
I am so thankful for everything that comes my way.
I am not materialistic, the good things in life such as love, peace and contentment are free.
And lastly, I have the strongest unshakable faith in my risen saviour Jesus Christ..I know where I am in Him and where I am going when my life on earth is completed.
Much love to you my friend. Crystal xx

Susan said...

Hi Sandie....Loved your post today. Just loved it. Ol' Andy is a guy filled with wisdom. Always enjoyed him, too.

Well, I've certainly learned my share in life but would like to say, one of the best lessons was learning twofold: It's imperative to live in the moment..no tomorrow, no yesterday, just NOW because that I have in the palm of my hand. Secondly, I know that God is in control and no matter what happens, I'll be okay. Susan

Catherine said...

Dear Sandie, I am always in awe of your posts. They are insightful and helpful. It is as if you know what to say and when to say it. I am very blessed to have met you. Your friend, Catherine xo

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

I am really not a fan of that bush eyebrowed guy, but I do like all of these words of wisdom.

I do have to agree with Susan just above me, in living in the present because that is all we have. The past is gone and the future is unsure, now is truly a present. I have to remind myself to do that often.

Marie said...

When I was a young girl I watched 60 Minutes with my parents and really enjoyed it. I remember Rooney. The first one is my favorite. All my life I've enjoyed the company of an elderly person. Everyone has their own story and there's always lessons.
Wonderful post Sandie!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I love this list! I like the one about the smile. It reminds me of the quote that goes something like "if you see a person without a smile, give them one of yours". Many times they won't smile back, but I always hope that maybe they'll feel a bit better anyway!
Great post!

Anonymous said...

I love this list! Mine is; I've learned that life is tough but I'm tougher. Cuz even though life is hard sometimes, I never give up - there are no shortcuts in life. And the best way is through - there's no manual how to live life.
Great post! Enjoy your day! Hugs x

Anonymous said...

Oh Chatty, love the "I Learned" ...I'm thinking I have learned right along beside you...I treasure the learning of those babies falling asleep in my arms...nothing like it ...I learned that life is tough and without Christ it will take me down....I can do all things through Christ which strenghteneth me....and everyone desires a smile....happy 3rd day of november Chatty!

Debbie said...

These are wonderful! I kept nodding my head from beginning to end. I loved the one about having a goofy friend. So true!

I also loved the one about ignoring the facts not changing them.

Anonymous said...

I have read differnt versions of 'I've Learned' but I like this one the best of all. And I agree, you have to be around awhile to have experienced all of them.

Love to you!

Tanna said...

Yes, that list is one of my favorites!! Always good to read it again. blessings ~ tanna

Jilly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donene said...

What a wonderful list! So much wisdom. Thanks for visiting and your nice comments!