Actually, I do

It seems that - during random channel surfing - I have often come upon the 3rd X Men movie and a particular scene that sticks in my mind.  The scene is towards the end of the movie, and the Hugh Jackman character - Wolverine (good guy)- is confronting Magneto (villain)- the Ian McKellen one.

Magneto says to Wolverine "You never learn, do you?".  To which Wolverine responds "Actually, I do..."

So, as a fifty-something man, I've often written here about some of the recurring lessons I try to learn.  Especially, through recent events, I have had some days that reminded me of a favorite bumper sticker I've often seen - Oh no, another learning opportunity.

Be that as it may, here are some things I've recently learned (re-learned) that I'll pass along.  

• Most important - feelings are not facts.  Even though you feel like tomorrow will not come, it always does.   
• Even though you feel alone, you are not.  There are always those around you who love you and are willing to show you that.  Don't ignore them.
• Fear makes you smaller.  Facing fear makes you bigger.  If you are running away, you always look smaller.  The world is full of bullies, confront them - whether they back down or not, you didn't.  And that is what matters.
• The old saying goes "Don't assume, it makes an ass out of you and me."  I'll take that a step further - don't assume you know how this works out.  Admit that - about most things - we just don't know.  It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong, that's just how life works.

Finally, for me it was important to realize that - even at 53 - my past does not determine my future.  Just because certain things happened, doesn't preclude me from choosing differently NOW.

So, the next time the big, bad voice in my head wags its finger and says "you never learn", I will proudly shout back - in my biggest and loudest voice possible - "Actually, I do..."


dg


3/1/2011