Five minutes of writing off the top of my head: I thought I would impart some of those things life has taught me along the way. ------------------------------------------------ I have learned... ...that life really is lacking in fairness, and that the best way to happiness is to work out how to live with this fact... ...that the most important decisions are always the hardest ones to make... ...that the most important relationships are always the hardest ones to maintain... ...that being assertive has nothing to do with being aggressive... ...that optimism is the best policy... ...that when something in life knocks you down, it's imperative that you pick yourself up, brush away the dust, and keep on keeping on... ...that hanging jeans upside-down on the clothes line removes any need to iron them... :-) ...that small children are pure and deserve respect without question... ...that adults are corrupt (to varying degrees of course) and "respect your elders" is an idiotic rule - respect needs to be earned even if you are 75 years old (and often older people are not wise enough to tell children what to do)... ...that teachers don't always have the best interests of your child at heart and you can't assume that your child will get what he/she needs at school (you have to make sure the needs are met!)... ...that children are easy to underestimate - and thus they manage to consistently amaze and surprise us with their wisdom... ...that it's best to weed the garden after it has rained because the soil is softer... ...that good friends are worth treating right... ...that it's always best to deal with problems as soon as they arise - because they will inevitably grow into something bigger if left unattended... ...that working with children is a wonderful way to have a break from the workings inside one's brain... ...that when a parent reaches their frustration point and yells at their child, "I've had enough!" they are simply throwing an adult tantrum... ...that life throws at us those things we can handle - and that I can handle quite a bit! ...that perseverance is key to survival... ...that no matter how bad a situation is, there is always a better alternative - it is simply a matter of either finding it, or creating it - and having the courage to go after it! ...that dipping hot salty McDonalds fries in McDonalds ice cream is a real taste sensation... :-) ...that we are only victims by choice... ...that it's impossible to impart everything one has learned in a short online post! :-) I would love to hear some of the things other people have learned - please add your life lessons as well!