Life’s lessons are not all created equally. They may differ in value and necessity. We often find that the most valuable life lessons are the ones most difficult to comprehend. These are lessons that we may have learned at a very young age but did not comprehend till later in life. Truth be told, these difficult to comprehend life lessons are often only learned by a small minority of people. Unfortunately, many go their entire lives without comprehending these valuable life lessons.
In fact, their lack of comprehension may lead them to disagree with the premise of the lesson in the first place. This will make you question yourself, what you’ve been through, and the legitimacy of your entire life’s narrative.
To those of you in pursuit of greatness, chances are you find yourself often alone and misunderstood. Perhaps, you may relate with some of these life lessons. For others, this article may serve as an eye opener. For some, this may even unlock hidden memories you forgot about.
Many of these lessons that I am about to discuss are learned, but not fully comprehended.
There are many valuable lessons to learn in life, but here are my top 3 difficult life lessons to comprehend.
Difficult life lesson to comprehend #1: When everyone goes left, go right.
I wasn’t a great student growing up. I was intelligent enough to get an A when I wanted to. Unfortunately, I was often disinterested in the subjects being taught in school; or at least how they were being taught.
I remember falling asleep as the class was arguing over a very complicated mathematics equation. You know, the kind that takes up the entire chalk board. Yes, chalk board for some of you youngsters reading this. After 20 minutes or so, the smartest kids in the class came to the consensus that the correct was answer was 2. I remember our math teacher being suspicious of the method the students utilized to reach this answer. However, if the collective of the best and brightest reached the same conclusion, they had to be correct, right?
“9”, I answered.
Students laughed as they dismissed my answer. The teacher said the answer was “2” and it was time to move on.
I refused. I argued with the students and teacher. I was ready to be kicked out of class over this answer. I don’t remember why I was so confident in this answer, but after another 10 minutes of arguing, the teacher realized the error in the “smart” kids’ approach.
Despite being ridiculed, insulted, and instructed to shut up and move on, my ultimate self belief paid off.
The answer was 9.
The point of this lesson is not to go right just because. It’s the premise that just because everyone else went left, it doesn’t mean they are right and you should follow them.
Can you imagine the self belief it requires to be a D- math student and still argue with the collective of the best and brightest? I didn’t think about that incident until about 15 years later. It was a life lesson I learned at a young age, but didn’t comprehend until my late 20s. You won’t comprehend it until you realize that there is at least a possibility, that you may be correct when most aren’t.
Humans are a conforming species. In general, humans want to fit it and march the path that the collective agrees is the right path. In general, the collective tends to get it right.
However, that doesn’t mean they always do. It’s important to analyze every situation, do your research, and question every possible outcome before making any major life decisions. Most importantly, you must have the humility to check yourself so you don’t choose the alternative path “just because”.
When you choose to take the alternate path, you will find it lonely, difficult, and often ridiculed because most don’t understand.
“If that was the right path, I would be taking it.” – most people ridiculing you behind your back.
Those people haven’t been through what you have been through. They don’t comprehend the difficult life lessons that you do. Why would they walk your path?
There are times to say, “Yes. All of you are wrong”. Be very comfortable with that fact.
The path to greatness is often the opposite direction of average.
Difficult life lesson to comprehend #2: Your anger is the best part of you.
Your anger knows when you’re being disrespected.
Your anger knows when you’ve been wronged.
Your anger knows when you need to leave a room.
Your anger knows when you need to stand up for yourself.
Your anger when you you deserve better.
Your anger remembers, even when you forget.
Your anger pushes you to greatness in ways purpose often cannot.
Your anger is the best part of you.
Your anger will often be mislabeled as a bad part of you.
You are easier to control without your anger. You are less likely to fight back or resist manipulation without it. Understand that your anger is valid and it’s the best part of you. However, also understand that how you use your anger will either make or break you.
Turning your anger inwards will lead to depression.
Turning your anger towards destructive behavior will destroy you.
Channeling your anger properly will lead to work harder than you ever have before. Whether that’s at the gym, proving someone else, or in the pursuit of greatness, anger channeled properly is a powerful tool.
Those of you who do not understand this lesson, often let people beat them down by mislabeling their pride as ego. They will tell you to calm down in the face of disrespect. Those you who comprehend this lesson can learn to channel the anger properly in pursuit of greatness.
Comprehending this lesson requires you to channel your anger properly.
Difficult life lesson to comprehend #3: The good sometimes comes with the bad and that’s okay.
I’ve heard hundreds of times that people admire my ultimate self belief, courage in my conviction, and not letting negative opinions affect me. While I appreciate those kind words, most people don’t understand what it takes to get there.
Ultimate self belief often comes from no one believing in you and letting you know it. Eventually, you understand that people cannot believe in you until you believe in yourself.
Courage in your conviction comes from experience as a leader. It’s making the decision you believe is right and living with the consequences. Making the right decision paralyzes most people in thought. Making the decision you believe is right and willing to live with the consequences is what makes a leader.
Negative opinions do not affect you if positive opinions do not affect you. Stoicism.
The same part of me that believes in myself is the part of me that comes off as close minded. The same part of me that has courage in my conviction is the part of me that often thinks logically in a discussion that requires an emotional The same part of me that is immune to destructive negative opinions is the part of me that shuts down what I perceive to be dumb opinions. response.
I don’t know all the answers. I’m not always correct. However, I’m willing to live with the bad that comes with the rare amazing qualities that I possess. Surround yourself with people that understand this trade off, not with people that focus on your negative qualities.
Comprehending this lesson may require special people who accept you for who you are and accepting people in your life for who they are, despite their flaws. It also requires you to cut people out when their negative traits far outweigh their positive ones.
There are many valuable lessons that take time to comprehend.
God doesn’t make mistakes. Forgiving yourself is just as important as forgiving others. Everything about you stems from somewhere, often your childhood. You are a product of who you surround yourself with. There are many.
The most valuable life lessons are often learned through difficult times. Every painful situation teaches us a lesson if we allow it. We can learn a lot by observing others. Being outside of our comfort zone will always teach you more than your bedroom will. Reading can teach us many things. Having a mentor can assist in learning other things.
Ultimately, the best way to learn is to live.
Do you have any valuable life lessons that most people find difficult to comprehend? Tweet me @tprx11