Today’s post is my submission to a group writing project at Litemind. Everybody says, “Someday we’ll laugh about this.” I figure, why wait?
No Mistakes, only lessons: Life is a series of experiences designed to help you grow and mature, which can only be a good thing. Perhaps you put off fixing something you know needs repair but don’t want to spend the money. Years ago someone told me the horn of my car was acting up strangely but I ignored it, hoping it’d go away. One day I was driving on the freeway when the horn went off accidentally and remained stuck while I followed a group of Hell’s Angels. What do you think I did after that? (Photo Credit: subzerobob).
Asking for Help Does Not Mean You’re a Brown-Noser: As a youngster, I was constantly told I was a brown-noser for asking the teacher for help. So I stopped. For the longest time, I was the only guy in college who owned a VCR that constantly blinked 12:00. Never mind the manual - - it was full of gobbleygook! (Photo Credit: dchurbuck)
Being Authentic Will Always Save Face: Pretending to be someone you’re not will only cause you moments of sheer embarrassment. One night I was in a bar and proceeded to have a conversation with someone sitting next to me, letting her lean over and talk in my ear. I nodded, laughed and responded in all the right places, pretending I could hear (those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been deaf since birth). At one point, I said “Yes” to a question, thinking I was being invited to a party. Imagine my shock when she opened the door to her hotel room when I saw an assortment of items that were NOT of polyster material on the bed. Do you think I wore my hearing aids after that? Photo Credit: Elka8 (Note: See The James Bond Lady Fiasco for the full story).
Food for thought: What things do you know now that you wish you knew before?
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Welcome! I'm the founder and professor of Adversity University specializing in personal development for spiritual beings having a human experience. To see a speaking demo tape and other information, please click 
2:20 pm on November 26th, 2007 1
Hiya Stephen,
Good blog. Btw, how do you manage to find those “perfect” pictures for your blogs???
Nita
4:13 pm on November 26th, 2007 2
Nita:
Glad you liked this post. I usually find pictures at the Flicker website. All I have to do is type in what I’m looking for in the search box and then scan through and find what I want. You’ll notice that for every picture that is not mine, I give proper photo credit with a linkback that person’s Flicker page (or other page outside of Flicker).
8:18 am on November 27th, 2007 3
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
9:38 am on November 27th, 2007 4
Hi Stephen! I don’t have regrets or wishes for things past, but I have learned some valuable things along the way:
1. there are no ordinary moments
2. just be yourself
3. this is the best day of your life.
I have come into a new appreciation for the ’small details”, realizing that every moment is the gift, the diamond, the treasure. The question always is: am I paying attention? Am I realizing that as I type this message to you while sitting here at my computer is the absolute best moment of my life?
I’m learning to be aware of the small moments, to pay attention, and to realize this moment - HERE AND NOW - is the absolute best time of my life.
and then I let that realization (I like that you used the word acceptance!) extend into every moment, and now life is one big adventure.
10:03 am on November 27th, 2007 5
Lisa:
I see you’ve become an active contributor to the AU community with wonderful value-added comments, enhancing the conversation! Thank you. I’m glad to hear from you.
Good list you have there. I especially liked the “just be yourself.” As youngsters, we spend so much time trying to be something we are not, just to “fit in.”
And of course, the “here and the now” is more important than ever. Thanks for reminding me of this important tidbit of wisdom.
Thanks for your awesome contribution.
7:26 am on November 28th, 2007 6
I’m an Artist & a Soul Graffiti Artist. !
Nearly all my life I’ve been drawing,
and painting came a little bit later.
BUT… I NEVER EVER thought of myself as an
“Artist”…
The whole revalation of it,
AND knowing I was a Soul Graffiti Artist
is just way too long to post here.
But I’ve the story on a blog post.
http://tinyurl.com/27tl28
And…. this idea I’ve swiped from
a web site… and I can’t recall who’s it
was just now. I’ll post again with
that link.
My Happy Life Commandments
1. Be Deb.
2. Let it go.
3. Act as I would feel.
4. Do it now.
5. Be happy just because.
6. Enjoy the process.
7. Live life like a dream.
8. Solutions not problems.
9. Lighten up.
10. Do what ought to be done.
11. No calculation.
12. There is only love.
THANKS Stephen for the thought
provoking post.
xo xo
Debra
7:31 am on November 28th, 2007 7
Debra;
Thanks, as always, for your heartfelt contribution. I love how you describe yourself as an Artist & a Soul Graffiti Artist. That would be a perfect fit for the post I made on how to stop strangers dead in their tracks with your five second introduction.
I’ll have to check out your story via the link you provided. Thanks for sharing today.
7:39 am on November 28th, 2007 8
I came upon …
My Happy Life Commandments at
Meredith Matthews blog - My Lemonade Stand
( I love that blog’s name )
http://tinyurl.com/2axrwu
9:14 am on November 28th, 2007 9
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
10:59 am on November 28th, 2007 10
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
7:22 pm on November 28th, 2007 11
[...] 3 things i wish i knew then what i know now by stephen hopson [...]
3:54 am on December 1st, 2007 12
Hi Stephen,
A short list of 3 points but full of personal development wisdom.
Indeed, there’s no mistakes, only lessons learned. I also wish that I had learned this earlier. Having said that, even with this realization, I still have to constantly remind myself when others throw their prejudice judgment on me when I make a mistake. Oh well, I guess it’s just human nature.:)
7:49 am on December 1st, 2007 13
Lawrence:
Yes, unfortunately prejudice part of human nature but with increased awareness can be turned into acceptance and love. The least we can do is to be the first to be loving and accepting towards others, especially when they goof up. Sometimes we have to be the first to reach out if we can the same back.
Thanks for stopping in Lawrence. I’ve seen your name floating around the blogosphere lately - I’m going to check out your blog right now.
4:11 am on December 2nd, 2007 14
Hi Stephen,
You’ve made a good point, which is also the basis of personal development: positive changes starts from ourselves.
Through my work experience, I have learned that when I am less critical of others’ mistakes and accepting of their shortcomings, then they will do likewise with me when I make a mistake. I believe that is a great way to make the world a better place, by first creating a conducive work environment.
Jeez…I didn’t know my name was floating around? That’s a scary thought…
4:39 am on December 2nd, 2007 15
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
7:30 am on December 2nd, 2007 16
Lawrence:
Actually, the fact that your name has been seen often (at least by me) is a GOOD thing. It means you’re out there, mingling with others, commenting on other blogs and being an active member of the blogosphere. The more people see your name, the more they will become curious about you and check out your blog or website.
In response to what you said you’ve learned in the workplace, what goes around comes around. Thanks for stopping back!
8:08 am on December 2nd, 2007 17
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
10:00 am on December 2nd, 2007 18
[...] last week by Blaiq 100 Resources To Improve Your Career, Relationships And Money by Lawrence Cheok 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson 5 reasons (not) to drink coffee by [...]
11:37 am on December 2nd, 2007 19
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
4:15 pm on December 2nd, 2007 20
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Adversity University [...]
10:17 pm on December 2nd, 2007 21
One of the best lessons I have learned recently is:
Just because I know how to do something better than most people I know doesn’t mean I have to do it all the time
After all, how else will they learn if they never do. I make myself available, but try to do less of those things and teach more with them.
11:02 pm on December 2nd, 2007 22
Joel:
Can you give me an example of what happened that caused you to learn the lesson stated above?
10:57 am on December 3rd, 2007 23
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
11:40 pm on December 5th, 2007 24
Wow. Stephen, I think more than anything, the change from 6th grade to 7th grade (and keeping a lot of my same students) has helped me to get over my micromanaging nature. I try to give them more liberty. I also try to involved parents in helping out more. They seem to really enjoy it and it allows other people to take part in the successes. It also helps me keep my sanity a little bit more!
For further reading, check out 65 Things You Should Do Right Now To Avoid Burnout.
12:44 pm on December 6th, 2007 25
Joel:
They say change is good because it has the potential of making us aware of some of the things we know needs improving. Kids love freedom but they should also know they have to earn it. It’s good to see you getting the parents involved more too because it keeps them in the “loop.” That’s how you build trust.
Thanks for your input. I love how the Adversity University community has grown by leaps and bounds! The comments I’ve been getting have all be astounding and very much value-added because they contribute to the conversation. And yours was certainly welcomed!
12:11 pm on December 16th, 2007 26
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson - This amusing post ends in a question. Answer it with your own post — or maybe shoot a video response and upload it to YouTube. In any case, this could be good material for both personal and niche sites. Also pay attention to the stories told in the article. There are questions in two of them. By imagining possible replies you could have more nice ideas, and I bet those would be perfect for humour blogs. [...]
10:26 pm on December 22nd, 2007 27
[...] 3 Things I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now by Stephen Hopson [...]
9:01 am on April 15th, 2008 28
Wonderful blog!
Liked this motivating post a lot!
Thanks Sir!!
Pooja gupta’s last blog post..The Invisible Stranger….
2:11 pm on April 15th, 2008 29
Pooja:
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.