Life. Yep, she’s a bitch. And sometimes life can be a bastard, too.
Sometimes life can put it’s foot so far up your ass that the pain is unbearable.
Sometimes life can be as kind as your little niece or nephew, and sometimes as stressful as a rotten relationship.
Sometimes life can be neutral, or maybe even better than ever, then an avalanche comes and wipes out everything you’ve worked for.
That’s just how shit goes on planet earth. And through out my life time, here are 10 brutally honest lessons life has taught me.
1. Trust Is Hard To Find
“Trust is hard to come by. That’s why my circle is small and tight. I’m kind of funny about making new friends.” – Eminem
Trust is one of the most important traits anybody can have. If you can be trusted, your level of respect goes through the roof.
But finding and being around people who you can trust 100% is challenging.
Ever heard of the term – sheep in wolves clothing? Here’s another way of putting it. –
“There’s always another story. There’s more than meets the eye.”― W.H. Auden
I’ve met many people who’ve betrayed my trust or have shown me they can’t be trusted by their actions. Money is a good example.
If you ever get into a lot of money, those around you who you consider to be trusting will show their true colours.
Of course, that’s not the case with everybody. But unfortunately, that’s the case with most.
Then you have those who you THINK are your friends, then out of the blue, they’ll do something unbelievable. And voila!
All the trust you once had vanished without a trace.
Then you have those who will get into a relationship with you, devote their time and love to you, marry you, yet have the audacity to cheat on you.
And the sad thing is….. There are TOO MANY people out there who have no idea their partner is doing this to them.
Then you have people you may trust in business such as accountants, business partners, etc, who will rip you off and do whatever it takes to walk over you when the opportunity arises.
Out of all the things I could mention, trusting someone close to you with money is the riskiest thing you can do.
A lot of people can’t handle money, and even lose their dignity and abandon their vows for money.
Trust is hard to come by, especially when money comes into the picture.
2. Family members aren’t family members
Obviously, this doesn’t apply to family in general, but even your own family can backstab, betray, and turn on you.
As sad as that sounds!
Family are those you expect to be able to turn to If things go horribly wrong, or If you need a helping hand. But as with anybody, even your own family can turn out to be your enemies, or worse.
Sometimes your own family may not even care if you exist. B
Family aren’t family, It’s just a word. Family is whatever you define it to be, based on the actions of that particular person.
Even strangers, friends, business partners and associates can be family.
3. Money’s Like A Lie Detector
I remember reading a news report some years back about a guy in the UK who had won millions from the lottery.
And in the article, he describes what his life has been like since he’s been a millionaire.
The moment his ex-girlfriends found out he was rich, they were ringing down his phone and spreading bullshit rumours about him.
One of his ex’s even tried to sue him (out of extreme jealousy of course).
And another guy who won the lottery in England and became a millionaire found out his own brother hired a hitman to kill him. All because he was jealous.
That’s what I mean by “money’s a lie detector”. Isn’t it ironic the moment they ran into a lot of money, extreme circumstances took place?
The people who are around you now might not be around you in the future. Because even though they seem like nice people now, and possibly best friends, all that will change when you’re successful.
Unless of course your friends are on the same wavelength as you that is. If that’s the case, and you’ve got “real” friends, congrats! No sarcasm intended.
But the reality for many is when you’re becoming successful, or you become successful, you’ll lose a lot of your friends over money.
Unless they make personal progress and decide to grow with you.
That goes for family and relationships as well.
4. Race plays a role in society
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
This is a controversial topic, to say the least. I personally don’t base what I do or how likely I am to succeed on my race or race in general.
I don’t base my chances, my luck, opportunities or likability on my race or race in general either. I believe it’s a limited mindset that holds you back.
But the fact can’t be denied that race DOES play a role in society, maybe not always but it still happens.
It happens when you’re applying for jobs in almost every field, regardless of how fat the yearly salary is.
It happens when it comes down to doing business with potential clients or companies.
It especially happens when it comes to dating and relationships, too.
It also happens when you go to the shop, the supermarket and what not. Some of you will know what I mean.
Whether you or I like it or not, human beings judge you based on your appearance. And that includes the colour of your skin.
And since we take in 70% of information visually, it’s blatant that it happens.
Race shouldn’t play a role in society but it does. And until people are brought up and taught differently, that’s not going to change.
5. Everything Revolves Around Money
The reason you get up and go to work is because of money. Your career decisions revolve around money.
Your long-term retirement goals revolve around money. The things you need to start a business revolve around money.
Your relationship with your partner revolves around money. Your success revolves around money (to an extent).
Looking good revolves around money. Travelling and going to the places you want revolves around money.
Creating a life by design revolves around money. Moving to a new city or country revolves around money. Having kids, starting your own charity, etc.
The reason you’re still striving for success revolves around money.
No matter what it is, you best believe it revolves around money to some extent.
And that’s not a bad thing, it’s just the brutal truth. And a reality many of us try to deny.
Denying it will only hold you back though. In more ways than is necessary.
If you think none of what I mentioned doesn’t revolve around money, empty your bank account and see how that turns out for you.
6. Formal Education Isn’t Everything
Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. – Jim Rohn
From the moment we’re young we’re told how important education is.
We’re told that If we don’t do well in school, we’re guaranteed to fail in life.
We’re told to go to school, get good grades, then go to college, university, get a job and do that for a living. As if our lives are set from that point on. Or as If it’s that simple!
But formal education isn’t everything. Formal education isn’t even half of what you need to get to where you want.
Maybe a quarter of what’s needed or less.
Self-education is one of the best forms of education you can get.
What a college can teach me in 2 years I can learn in less than 1 month.
Not only could you do that, but you could learn a whole lot more too. And gain a better, more valuable amount of knowledge while you’re at it.
That’s not all either. You could use that information to start a BUSINESS, go self-employed and work for yourself.
Or you could put that information into books and become an author.
Formal education isn’t everything you’ve been led to believe it is.
It may be a necessity if you plan on being a doctor, lawyer, and something of the sort. But otherwise, it’s a lie we’ve all been brainwashed to believe.
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7. You can’t be too nice
“Being too nice gets you used and being too mean pushes people away. You should be nice but you should also put your foot down if you have to.” – Sonya Parker
Millions of people are nice. Being nice is a good thing. We need more people to be nice and to be kind.
We need more people to treat each other nicely, and with respect. We need more of that positivity.
But If you’re too nice to the point of naivety, you’re bound to be taken advantage of.
There’s no shortage of people who will take advantage of your kindness. If given the chance, most will jump at it quicker than a lion jumps at its prey.
Just make sure you’re not the one that’s being preyed on.
8. You’ve got to be selfish first
And success isn’t the only type of selfishness I’m talking about. You’ve got to take care of yourself first before anybody else.
If you don’t, then who’s going to be around to take care of you?
Here’s an example. If you’re putting other people’s needs before your own, you won’t get the chance to satisfy your own needs.
If you’re going out of your way to help others, support others, and do EVERYTHING they ask of you, who’s going to take care of you?
If you don’t give yourself time for yourself, your own space, etc, you’re neglecting your needs.
Be a little selfish and put yourself first, then you’ll be in a BETTER position to help others. Whether it be mentally, spiritually, or financially.
9. Nothing is handed to you on a plate
And If you seriously believe you’re entitled to something for nothing, you’re stupid.
You’re only entitled to the things you work hard to get. You’re only entitled to the things you prove yourself worthy of having.
If you’re stupid enough to believe you’re entitled to a rich husband or a rich wife, slap yourself.
If you believe somehow, someway, someone will give you everything you want so easily, that’s on you. Then hopefully when you wake up you’ll come to your senses!
Many people still can’t wrap their heads around this fact. Nothing is handed to you on a plate. So If your plate is empty, you better get on your hustle to fill it up.
That also applies to anybody who’s betting their entire life and success on playing the lotto.
Betting your life on the lotto is like jumping off a building and expecting to fly in mid-air. It’s a foolish way to think.
10. You’re not getting out alive
Probably the biggest realization of them all. And the most brutal lesson life has taught me.
You’re not getting out alive whether you like it, fight it or deny it.
Thousands of people around the world have already died as I type this. I’m willing to bet a person dies every second.
Sounds sad but that’s the grim reality. You can’t escape death. At least not yet.
So you might as well stop bitching, complaining and whining 24/7. To complain is human, but to do it to the point of exhaustion is pointless.
You only get so many summers, winters, springs, autumns, birthdays, parties, adventures and stories to tell.
None of us last forever, so let’s live life to the fullest and give it everything we’ve got.
Let’s complain less and live more, argue less and smile more.
Let’s make out dreams a reality, and do whatever it takes to make this life the best life possible. Because the last thing you’d want is to die with regrets.