“Experience is the best teacher,” says a proverb that we learnt in childhood. In fact, the experiences we gain in day to day life are so important that each one of them teaches us somehing valuable, worth remembering. And many of us, in all probable cases, promise to ourselves “not to repeat the same mistake in future.” Yet there would be no exception who has not repeated it foolishly. I confess, I do. How long do we take to learn from experiences of ours and of others?

Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx (October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977), an American comedian and film and television star, known as a master of quick wit, widely considered one of the best comedians of the modern era remarked:

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself.”

True, hardly we realize that a small mistake can cause us irreparable damage, in terms of money, health or reputation. Learn from life, learn from incidents. From life that we live, from life that others live; from incidents that happen in our lives, from incidents that happen in lives of others. Learning is our responsibility – experience teaches, we have to learn.

We cannot afford to suffer all damages ourselves. Meet people, share their experiences, lend them ears and listen to their problems, troubles, difficulties. Put yourself in their situation. Be sensitive to their difficulties and show consideration. It helps them, it will help you. You may not be able to solve the problem but tension in their heart will be relieved to a great extent. Just by listening, you can be a great help to them. In turn, the experience in their lives will give you a very important lesson. Be receptive, learn from it.

Have a learning attitude that helps you and others.