The general saying goes this way, “life is what we make of it”. Well, you will find out for yourself whether or not this saying holds true. No doubts, life is full of up and downs – in fact, sometimes you wonder whether it is more of downs than up. However, the way we handle things can bring the needed change.
Here are some bitter truths about life; you may find some of these truths old-hat, and if you do, go ahead and restructure them in a way that would benefit you. You may not even agree with some of the lessons, but that’s okay because you have the right to exercise your opinion. Just go ahead and explore the lessons.
Lesson 1: Friends Don’t Stay Forever
As a college student, those days I almost thought I would continue to see and be in touch with all my friends for the rest of my life. But few years after I graduated and started working. I met entirely new friends, and with time, I lost touch with almost all my college friends, even the closest one rarely got in touch with me. Then, seven years later, I resigned from my job and moved from Taiwan to US with my husband after I got married. And of course, it was just within a space of seven years, and I could not get touch with any of my friends at my former workplace in Taipei.
Friends are not designed to stay forever in your life. They usually come and go. Although I later visited back to Taipei with my family after a couple of years, I still cannot connect with these old friends of mine. It’s hard truth to accept, but a good number of friends you spend time with at this point may not be anywhere near your sight in a matter of next few years.
What to Learn: you can always meet other good friends to associate with when old friends go. Friendship possibilities out there are inexhaustible – but also choose wisely.
Lesson 2: What You Want is not What You Always Get
On a particular Christmas, I terribly needed a car, a used car at that – just to take my cousins around for sightseeing. That was the only thing I hoped to get that Christmas, and I never asked for anything extra. Sadly, my dream did not come true. It took me nearly another Christmas (11 months plus) to save and eventually get a new car.
Don’t expect to always get what you want, people are going to disappoint you, and some may intervene when you’ve already found a solution or given up. You won’t get the things you need at all times.
What to Learn: true happiness is not obtainable in material things; so, if they don’t come when you want them, or they never come at all, don’t let it dent your real joy.
