"Our life experiences are a series of events in motion, each layering up another and creating incredible complexity, character and depth" - Rosemary Pierce
I often wonder why "work experience" is soo important that sometimes it seems like it is the only thing that employers require employees to have when applying for jobs. The answers to my question came from the ageing but wise lips of an established entrepreneur. He said "in life, experience is what makes you...it defines you and acts as your guarantor. It provides assurance that you are not easily wavered by circumstances as they are not new to you". He further asked me to wonder why a daughters cooking can never supersede that of her mother's.
Most of the time we unconsciously learn through experiences. In theory, the typical brain will effortlessly store information that has been seen, heard and practiced. Learning is a process and we often do not realise that we are in it until we are able to look back and reflect on not just how far we have gone but how much we've gained.
It is important to learn from others especially when mistakes are made. However, learning from personal experiences can be very rewarding. The reward is not in the experience...it is in what you have learned in the process. I bet we are familiar with the saying "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger" but rarely pay attention to what it means.
Just as a drug cannot be produced or become a lead compound without active ingredients and excipients, it is almost impossible to give what you do not have
Sometimes you get to cross-roads in life and you are then left with no choice. The least you could do is to embrace your experiences hoping and looking forward to the rewards. The thoughts of being a better person by learning through your experiences will make you appreciate them.
Loretta Okpuno
