Look for a lesson

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 8:30 pm by Guest Contributor

Look for a lesson 2015-03-13T20:30:42-06:00 Guest Contributor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Do you remember ever having a really great teacher in school — someone who inspired you to learn and to do your best? If so, you’ll probably recall that he or she challenged you to a much greater degree than most of your other teachers. At the time, the extra challenge may have seemed unfair, or even cruel. Yet looking back on it, you realize that it was not cruel at all, but rather was a true expression of respect for, and confidence in, your ability to learn and grow.

Life outside of school has its great teachers, too. And the best ones often seem unfair, unkind and even brutal. Those teachers include disappointment, sorrow, confusion, loneliness, and frustration. They are all painful and yet some of our greatest learning and growth can come from them. They challenge us and compel us to reach higher. They help to reveal our true character, and by so doing build that character to be even stronger.

All experiences in life are learning experiences. The disappointments are usually the most powerful and effective teachers. A crucial step in bouncing back from defeat is making the effort to learn from that defeat. By learning something useful from it, you begin to extract the positive value from a negative experience.

There is a lesson — perhaps many lessons — to be learned. What you learn can, at the very least, help you avoid the same mistake again. And it will likely go far beyond that. Though it has been painful, there is value in your defeat. You’ve already paid the price for this useful knowledge. Be sure to take advantage of it. Find a lesson in your defeat and you will have already begun to bounce back in a meaningful way.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 3, 2013

Choose Your Beliefs Wisely

Next Post

December 5, 2013 Value in the effort

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 June 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz