From the moment we enter this world until the end of our time, we are all pupils on Earth, learning and growing daily. This on-going class is what I like to refer to as “Life 101″. In order to be a successful student and to live a happy and fulfilling life, I’ve learned that it’s helpful to view everything in life as a lesson. Here are three helpful ways how:

1. When something negative happens in your day, instead of sulking around and getting caught up in self-destructive thinking patterns, shift your focus and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” or “What can this experience teach me?” When you realize that you have learned a crucial lesson or have benefited in some way, the situation suddenly seems less frustrating or daunting, and you can continue on with your day in higher spirits.

2. When dealing with someone who bothers you or who is really getting on your nerves, ask yourself, “What is this person trying to teach me?” or “How can I adjust my attitude so that I am less affected by them?” Each person serves a purpose in your life… Yes, even the annoying ones. If someone is frustrating you and you’re not in a situation where you can’t simply walk away, imagine that this bothersome individual is trying to teach you an important lesson. Maybe they’re teaching you the virtue of patience, how to maintain a positive attitude in sticky situations, to practice compassion, or maybe they’re helping you to become more open-minded.

3. At the end of each day, ask yourself, “What did I learn today that can enable me to have a better tomorrow?” I love doing this every night. It really helps to remind me that each day can be rewarding and meaningful. Chances are, you’ll learn at least one new lesson a day. Maybe it’s to set more than one alarm (never happened to me before…), to speak your feelings, to stand up for yourself when needed, to relax and smile more, or maybe you’ve learned a lesson from a mistake made. Doing this will help you to go to bed with a more relaxed mind, ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

Happy learning,

Jordan Brown

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