Members of weSPARK’s “Finding A Voice” writing workshop were asked to write down a few lessons they have learned in the process. Here is what they shared:

Lessons I Have Learned

Life is hard, get used to it.

I don’t HAVE to do anything, I GET to do everything.

The Golden Rule really is golden. –Alan B.

What most people need is a good listening to. Very few people are willing or able to truly listen to someone else. Everyone loves to talk, especially about themselves; few people listen. When people feel understood,      it breaks down barriers.

Everyone wants to be loved, respected and valued. Few people feel that way.

So much of my happiness depends on how I choose to see a situation, my attitude and my willingness to focus on what I have, rather than what I lack.

Increasing self-awareness is a key to a happy life and to good decision-making.- Anne K.

                  Life is short: wear a dress.

Acceptance = time + intention

Everyone makes mistakes. Love them anyway.

Love feels like magic, but isn’t. It doesn’t fix things and often makes them worse by impairing our senses and making us stupid. But don’t let that stop you from falling in love with everyone – giving and receiving love gives our lives meaning and makes us vulnerable, which are essential components of our human experience. –Emily B. 

Imagining the worst just causes unnecessary fear and stress.

Fear of failure causes me to freeze up.

Fear is caused by one of three things: fear of others, fear of failure and fear of circumstances.-Helen F.

In my past, staying silent was a way to keep my abusers calm and happier. Now I’m learning to stay silent about negative thoughts so I don’t hurt anyone.-Joyce K.

Losing a friend without saying goodbye is like an unfinished song.

Some days chicken…some days feathers. Eat up or make a pillow.

Limitations are the best way to change direction. Change is hardest when I need to do it on my own.

I’ve learned that who I was, where I’ve been, what I’ve done and who I’ve known is NOT WHO I AM.- Judy S. 

I can think for myself and come to my own conclusions.

Not to stand on a bus until it has fully stopped.

Listening to a flower bloom or watching a sunset is priceless.-Lynn S.

Cancer didn’t kill me, it taught me tolerance when I’m impatient.

Look in the mirror. Say I love you. Practice this until you start to believe it.

When in doubt, anger, self-loathing, heart broken, write it down. Writing is healing.

Life is a gift as soon as we believe it.-Maggie L.

When you are afraid of something, the only way to get over it is to go through it. Action overcomes fear.

That there is good everywhere around us, if we just look for it.

I am stronger than I expected.

That I am a positive person and there is no other alternative.-Marjorie G.