An Open Mind, To A Better Lesson

If I only knew then, what I know now…..
It’s a statement of total cliche. But it’s even more than a cliche statement. It is so true. Even though most of us can probably relate to what it means, we likely go through our lives not learning, or taking in the idea of learning lessons the painful way. After all, the desire to learn things the hard way is just such an unnatural way of doing things. Why volunteer for pain?
We may even know that learning a valuable lesson a solid way, a way with much more depth. Teachings that we may be less likely to forget about. However, I won’t sit here and lie and try to claim that I’d pick the hard way if given the option.
Let me try to put this all into a perspective that can make what I’m thinking, quite clear. What I’m thinking, and what I want to say about this, may be quite a ways apart.
When looking at my life of trials and tribulations, it looks like I have walked right into so many volatile experiences. As if I must have been totally blinded to allow such things to happen. Past abuse of drugs, and being part of toxic relationships are the two biggest bell ringers that always come to mind right away.
I let so much slip away because of those times in my life. But there are many different ways I can look at things like those more larger scale mistakes.
Biggest mistakes, biggest lessons.
I have written and spoke extensively about the life lessons that addiction and living wrong taught me. Things about trust, appreciation, and taking loved ones for granted. Just to name a few. However, the further I go into this new way of living, the more and more new lessons continue to show themselves.
It’s a never-ending well of knowledge, that I just continue to keep digging through, finding more and more valuable discoveries. Just when I think I couldn’t possibly learn anything more. And just when I get to a place where I mistakenly believe that I don’t want to hear about it anymore. I again, find myself mistaken. The lessons that started off quite basic from day one of sobriety, seemed to become days of infinity.
A free education, available 24/7.
We all change as we grow through our entire time living here on earth. Experiences can forever change the mold of what we are built around. Now, we may not necessarily always change for the better. But we do change based on experiences we are faced with, and the way we face those experiences.

Even just five years ago, to imagine that I would have any clue at all about mindfulness, is just something so incredible. Like I said, “free education.” The best education that I’ve ever been faced with, is the teachings that are taught when we work within ourselves. With all our vulnerabilities, and honesty, ready to be shared and experienced by whomever we cross paths with.
The best lessons ever learned, are the ones that evolve over time. The lesson itself, changes with the current setting and the current environment.
My most priceless lessons continue to be sobriety today. A battle faced for many long years. While many of its lessons are still the same today, the platforms for them continue to develop.
But there are new lessons too. It’s new lessons and old, that can be handed to us if we allow it with open arms. Everything that can be learned is alive and well. Multiplying seemingly endlessly. And there for us, if we need it.

Michael Patanella
is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.

