Why Lessons Repeat Themselves.
Repetition is the way of life.
- In learning, repetition enforces understanding and then application.
- In behaviour, repetition reveals strengths and weaknesses
- In relationships, repetition provides opportunities to grow
- In life repetition deals with character and attitude
The one constant in life is change and the pivotal point in change is our response to it.
Life has a way of repeating lessons until our response in mastering it becomes second nature.
In fact, it has been said that life is the only classroom where the test is given before the lesson. We learn primarily through testing; how often we take that test, depends on how quickly we learn the lesson.
The hallmark of maturity is whether we "respond" or "react". Life events, have a way of building us up or tearing us down, the way we respond, (and what we learn from the situation) determines how often we need to take the lesson again.
- If you want to understand how a person remains so patient in adversity, take a snap-shot of their life. I guarantee they will have faced trial upon trial, suffered majour disappointments and loss.
- If you want to understand why a person is so content, consider they're past losses, lack of privilege, possessions or times of lack.
- If you want to understand why a person is compassionate towards the terminally ill and suffering; ask about their personal losses, bereaved loved ones and personal suffering.
Some of the greatest lessons learned in life, have been revealed in times of extreme hardship and personal loss. Those lessons which often repeat themselves, do so, not to inflict further pain, but to create in us a greater capacity to help those yet to be tested in a similar way.
I can't recall just how many funerals, casualty wards, hospices, or bereavement centres I have attended. I often ask myself why? but have learned some fundamental factors in such testing times:
1. Unlike taking a test in college, in life; there isn't always an answer to the question
2. Passing the test of life, does not exclude one from sitting it again and again!
3. The one test which we all re-sit daily; is ATTITUDE....
4. The test is never the problem, its our response to it
5. If you think you've passed a particular subject, get ready for the new revised version, it's currently under review, and on its way to you, in plain brown packaging.
The one sure permanency in life is change. Are you ready for life 101?
