To adults: what do you wish you had learned younger/earlier in life?

Question

Adults only...

Now that you have great wisdom and maturity, what is the key thing (or things) that you wish someone had taught you when you were younger?

Thanks!! Most points go to the best enlightenment and truthfulness. No cliché or obvious remarks please.

Answer 1

I wish I would have taken school more serious.

Answer 2

I wish I had had more of an oppurtunity to be a kid and play with the other kids and make the mistakes of other kids. I was the last child in the home and basically rasied as an only child. My partents were older and had been through this and just wanted to sit and rest and not get out and play. I was to be the one that learned from the mistakes of others so I had a bossy attitude in school with a self importatn feeling that I was better thatn everyone becuae I had avoided a problem. other people made mistakes and learned from them . I avoided. them. I wish I had made childish mistakes when I was a child. I am in my forties and now I feel like I am missing somethimg.

Answer 3

School:
The first week or semester of school, get a good GPA. With a bad start, you will be trying to raise those grades for years to come.

Never show off to a teacher, while you may be right, they decide your grade.

If a class comes with a study guide or old exams. Pay the extra cash and get these. Study them.

Relationships:
Don't date family members of exes
It's OK to judge people on looks, if that is what you are looking for. Just be sure that is what will make you happy in the LONG run. Finding a mate that keeps you interested mentally vs physically is much harder so I tend to look for the most restrictive requirement first.

Answer 4

this is a very important question. what humans need to know at the earliest possible age is what being human "involves", and what true human potential is. these subjects are not taught in school, at least not in the West, probably by design. once you understand these areas, you are on your way to becoming a truly healthy and happy person.. without knowing these things--well, just look around. as a human you consist of numerous layers/bodies, not just the physical. one important non visible body is the "energy/etheric", the body that acupuncture works on to keep the internal energy operating properly. if it isn't operating properly sickness will ensue. much,much more is involved, to be referenced below. once you understand what you consist of, you can maximize the health and wisdom of the totality. this is what leads to health, wisdom, and "enlightenment". your "soul" btw is part of the entirety. by working with the energy body through "energetic practices" such as meditation, chi kung. tai chi, reiki, etc. you heal and improve your consciousness. the key to all, as mentioned, or implied, is to maximize health and energy and consciousness level. thousands , at least, of books, etc, deal with these topics. here are some research pointers-- http://www.sahajayoga.com http://www.starchildascension.org the book *the complete idiot's guide to toltec wisdom*, google: tai chi, chi kung, yoga and reiki. everything will seem a bit scattered at first, but will organize itself as you proceed. also, go to your local bookstore and check out the metaphysics/magic section. remember. being rich and famous, etc. means nothing unless you have a "center", and the only way to achieve this is to do regular meditation, etc. you will NEVER know how it feels to be a truly integrated human until you get there and EXPERIENCE it for yourself. and, traditionally that takes a bit of effort utilizing the practices noted here, and others you will become aware of at the proper time. best of luck!

Answer 5

I wish I had been taught more about how to handle my finances. My twenties would have been so much better if I hadn't had to spend that time learning about money on my own.
Listen to Dave Ramsey and Bruce Williams. There's a lot of wisdom in what they say. I wish they had been around a few decades ago.

Answer 6

I wish I had waited longer to get married the first time. I am now on my third marriage because of hasty, ill-thought decisions in the past.

I wish I had saved my virginity for marriage. I wasted a precious gift on temporary physical satisfaction.

I wish I had spent my time going to college instead of partying. Now I have a much harder time with school.

I wish I had been kinder to people. I hurt too many needlessly on my way to the future.

I wish I had not wasted so much money on fleeting pleasures. I could use that money now to take care of my wife and girls, who I love very much.

I wish I had truly found Jesus earlier, but I am very grateful for having found Him. My life is better.

I would not trade any of my mistakes, because they made me who I am. While I can regret my misfortunes and missteps, I embrace them for taking me to the path that found me a great wife and a better life.

Answer 7

I wish I had learned another language. Both my parents were bilingual, but only taught us children english. I think it was due to the time, you were looked down upon for speaking spanish. But learning a different language as an adult is difficult. As a child your brain learns languages differently. I wish I learned spanish as a child, especially since its in my blood. It would be so benificial to me now, as I am a nurse.

Answer 8

if only my education was started from the famous phrase - 'The key to the physical and mental health is not to mourn the past, worry about the future, anticipate trounbles, but live in the moment wisely and ernestly .'
But as our life is just a journey, ( sure I would love to stay in Ritz during that travel and see the world from the windows of Ferrary, jk) I am trying to learn not to take myself seriously.

Answer 9

Find what interests you, and do it. Don't worry about what others think or if it is considered "cool" or not. Follow your curiosity-it will lead down beautiful detours. Cherish people, not things. Be kind-it matters. Enjoy the blessings of every day. Spend time doing things you enjoy and get every ounce of pleasure out of it-tactile, smell, taste, listening, feeling....enjoy life.

Answer 10

Just how serious an "addiction" could be - started smoking at a young age after attempting to quit many times, not sure if I ever will...

That school could not only be social, but educational as well. I guess beer could have waited until after highschool...

Answer 11

I would have continued in college and got a really good paying job. Such as medical field. Or married a rich man.