What do you know today that you wish you knew 10 years ago?

Question

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that I don’t need to worry so much. When you are younger, you worry about what you look like, what you are wearing, etc. Of course I still care about those things, but I don’t stress over them. What’s really important is being happy. At all stages in your life: if you’re happy, you’re beautiful.

I’ve also learned the importance of giving back. It’s great to realize that life is not always about achieving the next level for yourself and that it’s just as important to be generous with your personal spirit and knowledge. With technology, the world really is flat. It has enabled people to connect and to reach across the world as easily as they can across the street. We should all find a way to take advantage of that.

View Nancy’s full answer.

What are your life lessons?

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Answer 1

One of the most important things I've learned is that it generally takes more energy to become upset than it does to simply "shrug it off." When I was younger, I confused independence and individuality with aggression. Now I realize that you don't have to be a tough girl to succeed. Kindness and compassion are the best tools to a happy, healthy life.

Answer 2

To keep reading books about how to raise my kids because even though I think a lot of it is hogwashand the advice is likely to change with the tide, every now and then I used to find a real gem of an idea and when I've used an idea and seen it work... it's been a while since I've felt a moment like that.

To realize that even though grandpa was always jealous of the money and material things that 'that other branch of the family' was able to attain, we have wealth of a different sort. :-) To know that solidly from ten years ago would be grand.

If your car runs, is safe, and gets you from A to B then it's fine. You don't need a car payment.

Choosing not to hang out with negative people is ok.

So is having a cookie :-)

Moisturize more especially my hands! You never think you're going to age, but you do!!!

I stress too much. I'm not sure if I can help that, but maybe I should have a jar fund and drop in loose change so that when I have enough I can occasionally treat myself to something good.

Do not procrasinate. No really!

Knowing the turmoil the company my husband works for would be going through throughout these last ten years and the years to come. Knowing to save more (any) money and perhaps considering going back to work may not have been such a bad idea. Being out of the workforce so long feels like such a disadvantage, but I still don't think I would trade these years with my kids for anything. Maybe just knowing to be more cautious would help? On that note:

To buy Yahoo stock, then sell it before it went down.

To buy Google stock as soon as it went public.

Start exercising sooner.

Sneak more vegetables and fiber into my kids food.

t.t.f.n.
Marianne

Answer 3

My life has changed in so many ways over the past 10 years. Family members have died, I've gotten a divorce, and been diagnosed with Leukemia. But through it all, or maybe because of it all, I've learned the importance of others. This impacts how I live each day. Simple things like sharing a smile, taking the time to really listen when someone talks, and watching the sunset are now things I consider vitally important.

We don't go through life alone. We impact other people we come into contact with much more than we realize. There is so much beauty around us and in others. Unfortunately, we often don't take the time to see and experience it. I wish I knew all this 10 years ago instead of spending my time "trying to get ahead". I am sure my life know would be quite different. But I also know I can't turn back time so I strive to live in the now. It's not always easy, but it's the only place where you can experience true happiness. The moral of the story is something my father told me the day before he died, "Be good to other people, and try to live life each day. It's too short." Wise words.

Answer 4

I have only been on this planet 26 years and in that time I have acquired a bit of wisdom, hopefully though only a fraction of that which I would like to have when I am old and gray.

I have learned that it is better to give than to receive, that if you try hard enough you can truly love your enemies and that you are blessed when you learn to do so. I have learned that even the scariest, worst, most horrible moments in your life actually have a silver lining, and more good comes from the bad things than you really think.

I have learned that I don’t NEED to drink alcohol to have a good time, and that hanging at home with my kid is more entertaining than one might believe. I am never bored. That moderation really is a key to life. And that just when you think things can’t get worse, they do…I have learned that God really does exist, and that He’s not happy with the way things are going down here & that prayer is effective.

These all-sound cliché, I know, but I have also learned a few things in my 4 short years as a mother too. I have learned that 1 in 4 women have cesareans sections to bring their bundles of joy into the world, and that almost ½ of those were unnecessary or at the very least might have been prevented had they had competent labor support. I learned that OB/GYN’s are not taught labor support at all during their lengthy education…I guess that’s why they show up to catch. I learned that “once a cesarean always a cesarean” is a myth!

I have learned that you are as good a parent as you strive to be, just as anything else in life. That it really doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks of me at the end of the day, but that I have to be brutally honest with myself. And that I should treat others like I want to be treated even when no body else observes that rule…That I should always keep promises and never bite of more than I can chew and when and when I do, I have had to learn to ask for help!

I’ve learned to admit when I am wrong and apologize when necessary; for the most part…& I have also learned I will never be perfect!

Answer 5

Well lets see, 10 years ago I was a native 17 year old about to go off to collage. There is 1 things that really sticks out in my mind that I wish I realized back when I was 17. You really need to pay attention to your finances. I opened my first credit card in collage and then another and another. I would max out my cards because I would spend my time going out and having fun. That's a part of college but I did not have to do things so excessively. Unfortunately those habits have stayed with me and now at 27 I look back at all the money I have squandered and think, wow that could have been a down payment on a house. Or I could have had my car payed off completely. I have been realizing this in the last couple of years and am trying to turn things around. I am hoping that by the time I am 30 I will be able to buy a home or condo at least. Money is not everything, but well if you want to own something you need to have some laying in the bank.

Answer 6

When I read the question, the first thought that came in my mind was Winning Lottery Numbers!

But seriously, it is enjoying life to the fullest! I have only 1 lifetime why should I waste it on worrying about how I look, what i have, will people listen or like me etc..

Ten years ago I should have been more proactive in my relationship with my family and friends.. I should have been more giving and not self-centered.. because I now learn that by giving more of yourself to others is what really makes one truly happy..

I should have been more involved in church activities and with my family and extended families.

I should have planned out my life very well like what I really want to be or like focusing on my strengths and not weaknesses.

I should have started a business even with a small capital yet with focus and dedication who knows where it would lead me.

I should not have given so much attention to the negative things, personalities and attitudes of people around me.

There are many things to say yet the reality is I know I cannot go back.

So I now realize that I should start to plan, stay focus, enjoy, be friendly, be open-minded, adventure, give love RIGHT NOW, TODAY.. not tomorrow or even 10 years from now for if I dont I would wind up wishing the same thing 10 years from now.

Above all may I trust and obey God all the more each and everyday for I know life is short that Eternal Life is waiting for me.

Godbless everyone!

Answer 7

Good question!!

I've learned through experience that my mom was 100% correct on a lot of stuff.

If I knew how bad my teeth were going to be ruined, I would have never been bulimic. I was bulimic for 4 years and didn't care about the toll it had on my body. Since then, I have gained the weight back and then some. Now, I'm more self-conscious of my teeth and not so much about my weight.
I wish I would have spent those years having fun (between the age of 17 through 21) and joining more programs in college.

I've also learned that happiness and loving what you do is more important than the money when it comes to a job. As long as I have enough money to pay my bills and still have a little left over for fun stuff...that's all you really need.

Lastly, I wish I had given those nice guys a chance. Instead of all the jerks I have dated in the past 10 years.

Answer 8

There are almost too many to list, but some of my most important are:

1. Real friends care about YOU, not what you can do for them.
2. I am worth more than I ever realized. (And so is everyone else.)
3. That I would get my heart broken time and again, but I would also break other people's hearts in the process. I would have been kinder.
4. Just because someone says loving things to you doesn't mean that they will act in a loving way toward you.
5. I wish I'd known that I wasn't ready to get married. Then I wouldn't have gotten divorced.
6. Being a parent (a good one, anyway) is the hardest thing I'll ever do.

Answer 9

Today there are many things that I know that I wish I knew ,10, 20, and 30 years ago. I know that no matter what happens to you in life as a child that you have to over come the pain and still strive to be the best you can be. That when someone hurts you the best thing you can do is show them you can be great anyway. I have learned that family is the most important asset you can have in life. with a good loving supportive family you can do wonders. I have learned that your children are your children no matter what ever happens. They did not ask you to bring them into this world so you are responsible for them in some way always. I have learned that even though I always said there was one thing I could never survive in life I have. I lost my 28 year old daughter to murder on 12/08/05. I really thought I would die but I am still here. It is a proven fact that whatever does not kill you it will make you stronger. Sometimes I believe that the trials and tribulations that we have early on help prepare and strengthen us for what lies ahead. On 02/24/98 I quit smoking and drinking totally in one day after 23 years. I learned at that point that you can do anything that you truly set your mind to doing. It truly is mind over matter. I have learned that one of the greatest joys in life besides holding your own child the 1st time is when it is your grandchild. That after every tragedy something good will come. One of the main things I have learned in life period and I tell people this all the time. what you do to your body today will come back to haunt you. exercise, eat well, get your sleep, don't smoke, do drugs, or drink in excess, eat in excess. when you get older it is harder to take the pounds off as exercise is harder to do and your metabolism slows down. Also that if you want others to love you then you must first love and respect yourself.That if you think your life is really bad check out someone Else's; many many people are worse off than you. Pay it forward it works and if you are having a bad day, week etc volunteer in some way. Help someone else it never fails to make me feel better to give to someone else whether it's time or materialistic. If you are in a domestic violence situation get out Now. you may end up dead. when he says he will never hit you again it may be true the next time he may just kill you.

Answer 10

The world is God's design. All those good ideas, tech,
inventions, activities that were only a dream imagery in the
the last generation have been launched, proven invested,
and updated by the simple mathematical expert presence.
The people that are put together have the empowered and
intellectual force, peace, and ideals to carry on for the
children. When shuttles cover the globe in this new world
there will still be someone that remembers to bring the
coffee, the cookies, and the scrabble board. Going to the
PHD schools classes I was set on becoming a genius, and
productive expert. Now I wish I knew more and could have
helped even more to prevent 9-11, and those fires in
California, hurricanes in florida, the suname or sickness in
the uneducated.

Answer 11

The one thing I wish I had known ten years ago would be my diagnosis of BPD (which now at 18 years old, helps me understand such a confusing and hurtful past). I was a lost girl, always getting into trouble with my parents, the law, and I was never able to keep a relationship... I got irritated at everything, and lost jobs and stuggled in school. But always, there was a sweet side of me, a side that charmed everyone and made them feel warm and comfortable with me. But the second I got too close to someone I'd push them away...

Not knowing about my serious illness up until this point has caused many irriversible fights, so much pain, endless confusion, shame, guilt, and the endless thought of wishing I could go back into my past, get the help I needed, and possibly fix the relationships and people I hurt.

Everyday now for the rest of my life, I have to live with such a troubled past; however, I'm a firm believer that, that which doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, so I will not lose hope. Though I've missed out on a promising childhood, I feel like my only option now is to work ten times harder to regain everything I've lost. I WILL make something of my life, despite this illness, and I won't let anger or regret get in the way of my dreams.

Cross my fingers and Dream~