Posted on Thursday, March 20, 2025

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by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Life lessons are defined as situations or events in which one learns something valuable through the act of living. Life lessons are often passed from older generations to younger. Here are three life lessons every young person should hear.

Older & wiser

In ancient Greek mythology, the owl is a symbol of knowledge because it was the sacred bird of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. While attitudes toward older people vary by culture, many mature adults are also revered for their wisdom. Having lived a long time, people who are older not only possess an accumulated wealth of knowledge, but they also have life experiences under their belt. For these reasons, older relatives such as grandparents are perfectly fit to offer younger generations life advice when given the opportunity. Here are three life lessons every young person should hear.

1. Take small steps. We live in a world of instant gratification. However, sometimes it takes work and small steps to get where we want to go. There’s a cartoon that illustrates the importance of small steps. In the picture there are two ladders. The ladder on the left features rungs that are reasonably spaced apart, so it’s easy to climb. The ladder on the right has rungs that are extremely far apart, therefore it looks nearly impossible to climb. Which can get you to the top faster and easier? Obviously, the ladder with the small steps. Breaking down things into small do-able steps not only is it less overwhelming, but it can steadily get you to the top. Application in life: Don’t expect things to happen instantly. Rather, work hard and take small steps. Life example: American Industrialist and business magnate Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company, started out humbly repairing engines. He had a gift for construction, creating his first steam engine at age 15. Via small steps, hard work, and ingenuity, he ultimately achieved success by creating his company that would supply America with well-built automobiles.
2. Do what brings you joy. Life is short, so it’s essential to embrace happiness. Experts say that happy people tend to share common traits that contribute to their success.  For example, they embrace positive outlooks and look forward rather than back. They opt to spend time doing what they love and exude passion and confidence in their trade. They don’t worry about what other people think of them and their positivity serves to inspire others. Application in life: Following one’s passions and being true to oneself are keys to success. Life example: Walt Disney, the American pioneer animator, film producer, and a founder of the Walt Disney empire, embraced his artistic dreams and turned them into a powerful, global brand. The talented Disney began by selling sketches and drawings to his neighbors at the young age of seven. His passion for art, combined with the belief that all things are possible, served as springboards of his success.
3. Learn to accept failure. Failure, basically defined as a lack of success, is part of life. Learning to accept that life isn’t always perfect is an important lesson. When we make mistakes, forgiveness or self-forgiveness is essential. It’s okay to learn from mistakes, but people who dwell on their mistakes lower their self-confidence and harm their self-esteem. So. the best advice is to learn from it, move on, and do better. Here’s some sage advice, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” Put your best foot forward and give it another go. Application in life: Don’t let failure stop you. Failure is a normal part of life, and it happens to everyone. Life example: The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, is historically considered a great leader. However, in addition to starting some failed businesses, he was also defeated in multiple campaigns he made for public office. Yet he persevered. Per Brainscape, “…while President Lincoln’s personal story didn’t have a happy ending, his presidency changed the course of history for the United States and the millions of people who were forcibly brought here as slaves.”

Older generations helping younger

These Three life lessons every young person should hear are guidance tools which underscore the importance of learning from others. Often, older generations are delighted to impart wisdom to those willing to listen. Rather than go through life the hard way, young people can absorb information from older generations who have a wealth of experience, knowledge, and insight under their belts. Life lessons can serve as cheat-sheets for living, helping to provide direction when facing crossroads or challenges in life. So, when your grandparents share stories and experiences, don’t simply roll your eyes. Pull up a chair and listen.