8 Dangerous Things We Teach Each Other

and menacing lessons society teaches. To truly thrive in this world
you're going to have to unlearn and disregard some of the ludicrous
advice people reflexively pass along to each other.
Here are eight dangerouspieces of advice you may have learned:
1. There is a clear paththat everyone should follow.
Your greatest fear shouldnot be of failure, but of succeeding in life
at all the wrong things.
Choose a path that fits YOU. Those who follow the crowd usually get
lostin it. Challenge yourself to ask with each and every step, each
focus point that consumes yourenergy: "Does this thing I'm doing right
now serve me and those I careabout in the next few minutes, few
months, and few years?"
Whatever you settle on, just make sure you don't gain the whole world
by losing your soul and purpose in the process. Read The Untethered
Soul .
2. Success is a particular outcome or object that can be acquired.
Success is a consistent pattern of behavior moreso than it is an
isolated event. It is the way you live rather than some object or
outcome you acquire. Success is yours when you persistently embody
the discipline, integrity, attitude, and other attributes from which
it is derived.
It is a mindset within you. If you consider success to be something
outside of you, that's where it will always remain – somewhere else.
So in your thoughts, your words, your actions and your expectations,
be the living embodiment of success, and whatever you touch will have
the potential to be successfultoo.
3. You need more to be happy.
You are doing just fine. You don't need any moreor any less to be happy.
Life would be so different if you stopped allowing other people to
dilute or poison your perception with their words and opinions.
Happiness is derived from the way you see your own life; it depends on
your thoughts, not on what you have or what you do not have, or
whatother people think aboutwhat you have. Read The How of Happiness .
4. Rejection and criticism stifle growth.
No matter how good youare at something there will always be people who
criticize your efforts. And while it's never a comfortable
experience, the feelings of criticism and rejection can actually help
you access your more creative self. Free from the expectations of
maintaining a status-quothat everyone is pleased with, you can push
the limits of innovation and self expression.
5. The future is what matters most.
Right now you are alive. This moment is your life. Today is too
valuable to waste thinking of another time and place.
Your friends and family are too beautiful to ignore. Take a moment to
remember how fortunate you are to be breathing. Take a look around,
with your eyes earnestly open to the possibilities before you. Much
of what you fear does not exist. Much of what you love is closer than
you realize. You arejust one brief thought away from understanding
the blessing that is your life.
6. Big opportunities only come to a lucky few.
Big opportunities come to those who make the most of little
opportunities. Little opportunities are present in each moment and in
every situation.
Today is filled with little opportunities. Everywhere you look, there
are small ways for you to make a positive difference. In little bits
of time that might otherwise be wasted, there is a piece of something
larger waitingto be created. String enough of these pieces together,
and absolutely anything is within your reach. You just need to decide
what it is you want to achieve. Read Secrets of the Millionaire Mind .
7. All relationships should be held on to and nurtured.
Most people come into your life temporarily simply to teach you
something. They come and they go and they make a difference. And
it's okay that they're not in your life anymore.
Not all relationships last, but the lessons these relationships bring
to you do. If you learn to open your heart and mind, anyone,
including the folks who eventually drive you crazy, can teach you
something worthwhile.
Sometimes it will feel weird when you realize you spent so much time
with someone you are nolonger connected to, but that's exactly how
it's supposed to be. You are exactly where you're supposed to be. We
all are.
8. The past is indicative of the future.
The mindset of your past being indicative of your future is hogwash.
Do not judge your failed attempts and mistakes as an indication of
your future potential, but as part of your growth process. Your past
has given you the strength and wisdom you have today, so celebrate it
anduse the knowledge you've gained. Don't let it haunt you and hold
you back.
Quite often, the successful people who act the happiest are the ones
who have overcomethe most. Sometimes youhave to lose something
precious in order to gain something priceless. So if you hit rock
bottom, just think, you've got nothing to lose, everything to gain,
and asolid foundation withoutexpectations or obligations from which to
rebuild your life