Life is like...no, not a box of chocolates, more like a stroll through a secondary school campus where you never know what lesson is being taught in the next room.  Our work lives present myriad opportunities to learn new skills and advance on the career ladder.  But home life can be filled with just as many opportunities to learn invaluable skills.  It's all about the perspective.  Are you looking to learn as you go? Or, do you limit your learning to scheduled, designated times?

My husband and I had the opportunity to learn about some home maintenance issues today.  He approached it as an opportunity to learn how to do something he didn't already know how to do.  I was more reluctant to join the learning process since it involved the septic system, backhoes, and things I won't describe here.  It struck me, however, that learning as you go is what builds character, wisdom, and teachable opportunities. 

What can I learn from this situation that will__________________? (Fill in the blank with, but not limited to, the following: assist with my career, help me be more prepared for the future, help me be better equipped to help someone else, increase my knowledge base in an important field, be good for telling stories or cracking jokes down the road.)  This kind of attitude will help you, not only to learn as you go, but to enjoy the process knowing that it serves a purpose.