Lessons are not reserved to the classroom or to a time when we were once enrolled as students in a school.

Lessons continue in all aspects of our lives.

As Mystics and Seekers on the spiritual path, the phrase ‘life is the greatest teacher’ should not be overlooked.

No matter our age and regardless of the various stages we have reached, we can expect our journeys on this earth to be full of lessons.

There will be lessons we learn from our family lives, our work lives, our love lives, our friendships. 

The universe does not discriminate in the ways it chooses to deliver our lessons.

But whichever form it takes, we must be ready to learn.

Often times, those of us on the spiritual path may expect the deepest of lessons to appear to us in the most mysterious or even supernatural of ways.

However this is not necessarily the case.

The most enriching of lessons can come to us in the simplest of forms, and appear in the most mundane aspects of our lives.

I am sure if we take a moment to reflect on our current circumstances and experiences, we can come up with at least one lesson that we are learning right now. 

Is it a lesson in patience?  In understanding?  In tolerance?  In forgiveness?  

Whichever form the lesson may take, the most important thing for us is to learn from them.

It is after all, our ability to learn from lessons that makes us evolve  –  spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

Indeed, when we find ourselves in the toughest of circumstances, we can be sure that there is an opportunity to learn one of the most significant and profound of lessons.

A friend forwarded me a quote from the late American writer, Andy Rooney.

To me,  it is a reminder of the many lessons we can learn in a lifetime – some simple, some profound, but all equally valuable.  It reads:

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I’ve  learned …That  the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly  person.

I’ve  learned ….  That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve  learned ….  That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’  makes my day.

I’ve  learned ….  That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the  most peaceful feelings in the  world.

I’ve  learned ….  That being kind is more important than being  right.

I’ve  learned ….  That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve  learned ….  That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the  strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve  learned ….  That no matter how serious your life requires you to be,  everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve  learned ….  That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a  heart to understand.

I’ve  learned ….  That simple walks with my father around the block on summer  nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an  adult.

I’ve  learned ….  That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets  to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve  learned ….  That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask  for.

I’ve  learned ….  That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve  learned ….  That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so  spectacular.

I’ve  learned ….  That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be  appreciated and loved.

I’ve  learned ….  That to ignore the facts does not change the  facts.

I’ve  learned ….  That love, not time, heals all  wounds.

I’ve  learned ….  That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve  learned …  That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve  learned ….  That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the  ones you miss.

I’ve  learned ….  That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock  elsewhere.

I’ve  learned ….  That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one  more time before she passed away.

I’ve  learned ….  That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because  tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve  learned …..  That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your  looks.

I’ve  learned …..  That when your newly born grandchild holds your little  finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for  life.

I’ve  learned ….  That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all  the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing.

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Let us learn to treasure all the experiences in our lives, as there is always a vital lesson to be learned somewhere.