13 Life Lessons From The Great Depression

 / 

Life Lessons: The Importance of Storytelling

Some experiences are so momentous that they have the potential to be life changing.

My parents endured two of them. They passed valuable lessons on to us by recounting stories that molded our character, shaped our values, and influenced our outlook on life. Are you passing important life lessons on to others?

My parents fled Germany during the Hitler regime, with only the possessions they could carry. They didnโ€™t complain about what life dealt them because they knew they were lucky to make it safely to America. Like many others, they had hopes of building a life for their family and living the American Dream. The other event that had far-reaching consequences on my parentsโ€™ generation was the Great Depression. Everyone alive at the time was deeply touched by that experience.

Here are 13 life lessons that were passed down to us from the Great Depression

1. Be present.

Leave the past behind and enjoy each moment of today. Be flexible and adapt to change. You never know what the future holds.

2. Be self-reliant.

Acquire the knowledge, skills, experience, and moral character to be self-sufficient. Youโ€™ll depend on it one day.

3. Be resilient.

There will be times when your determination will be tested. Be strong when the consequences are low. Youโ€™ll need to garner that inner strength when the consequences are high.

4. Be tolerant. Be open-minded.

You canโ€™t expect others to abandon their values any more than you would forsake our own.

5. Be frugal.

Know the value of a dollar and make informed and thoughtful decisions. My parents told us, โ€œNever leave a room with the lights on and always eat everything on your plate.โ€

6. Be realistic.

Donโ€™t get too attached to possessions. Material possessions get old and wear out. Memories last forever.

7. Be diligent.

You can achieve your dreams as long as youโ€™re willing to work hard and put your mind to it. Part of your reward is in knowing that your success was earned through hard work and sacrifice.

8. Be your own person.

Donโ€™t follow others blindly. Many people who jump on the bandwagon are uninformed or misinformed.

9. Be knowledgeable.

Listen to both sides of a debate before forming your opinion. If someone tries to shut down discussion, ask yourself why.

10. Be heard. Speak up against injustice.

Listen to your conscience and do whatโ€™s right. Period. As Edmund Burke said, โ€œThe only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.โ€

11. Be selective.

Measure a personโ€™s worth by their character, not their possessions.

12. Be grateful.

We have the right to privacy, the freedom to speak our mind, and the privilege to practice the religion of our choice. People gave their lives to protect these liberties, so we should never take these freedoms for granted.

13. Be proud.

A country is only as good as the makeup of its citizens. It is our duty to build on the promise of the American Dream and to leave a better world for our children. As John F. Kennedy said, โ€œAsk not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.โ€

Life Lessons Come Alive Through Storytelling

As leaders, role models, and parents, we must utilize every opportunity available to us to reinforce the values and beliefs that we hold dear. Once these values are adopted, they affect our day-to-day actions, determine whatโ€™s important, and reinforce appropriate behavior.

There are several ways of achieving that end. They include showcasing heroes, observing rituals and ceremonies, honoring traditions, and telling stories. Storytelling is a powerful tool based on the first-hand experience, delivered from the heart and told by a trusted source.

If we fail to promote the values that we hold dear, over time, our beliefs will be so diluted that weโ€™ll open our eyes one day and wonโ€™t recognize โ€œour worldโ€ anymore. If we fail, the values that support the backbone of our country, family, and faith will have drifted for so long that the fabric of our society will be torn. Itโ€™s up to you. If you donโ€™t pass your values on to your kids, someone else will. Lessons in life will be repeated until they are learned.

Are You Passing Your Life Lessons To Others?

Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.

Become a Contributor at The Minds Journal

We Want To Hear Your Story. Share your work,thoughts and writings and we will make sure, it reaches the world! Submit Now

Written By Frank Sonnenberg
Article first posted on Franksonnenbergonline.com
Printed with Permission
 
 

You may also like

— Share —

— About the Author —

Response

Leave a Reply



Up Next

The Key To Building A Thriving Relationship: Insights From Dr. Stan Tatkin

Maintaining A Thriving Relationship: Important Steps

Ever wondered what it takes to maintain a thriving relationship? Dr. Stan Tatkin has shared some really eye-opening tips that could change the way you think about love and bonding!

In a recent interview, Dr. Stan Tatkin, a renowned marriage and family therapist, researcher, and author of the best selling book In Each Otherโ€™s Care, shared invaluable insights on how to create and maintain a thriving relationship.

Dr. Tatkinโ€™s expertise in couples therapy and his psychobiological a



Up Next

8 Signs You Are On The Wrong Path In Life

Signs You Are On The Wrong Path In Life

Life is a very unpredictable thing, with its many twists and turns and unexpected changes, and sometimes we find ourselves walking on the wrong path. It’s like you took a small detour, and suddenly you find yourself on the opposite side of where you were meant to be! In this article, we are going to talk about the signs you are on the wrong path in life.

In our busy and rapidly changing world, it’s important to stay focused, and live a life that aligns with your dreams, aspirations, and goals.

So, if you relate to these eight signs you are on the wrong path in life, then don’t worry, because once you understa



Up Next

What To Say When Someone Dies โ€” And 7 Things Not To Say

What To Say When Someone Dies? Best And Worst Things

Death is hard. Finding the right words to say when someoneโ€™s hurting can be even harder. Wondering what to say when someone dies? Below are some do’s and don’ts for you to note down!

“I’m sorry for your loss” is a classic line, but it might not always hit the mark. Sometimes, it can feel like a generic response rather than genuine comfort. There are many other comforting words to say when someone dies. Let’s break it down below.

Related: How To Overcome The Fear Of Losing Someone You Love: 10 Tips



Up Next

7 Toxic Beliefs Normalized By Society : Time to Challenge the Norms!

Toxic Beliefs Normalized By Society: Rethinking Norms

We have grown up in a society where lots of harmful beliefs have been considered normal for centuries. It’s 2024 now, and even though society has changed in ways, there are still many things that are wrong with it. Even today, there’re so many toxic beliefs normalized by society, and it can feel frustrating to say the least.

These harmful beliefs considered normal by society can greatly shape your thoughts, actions, and connections without you even realizing it. Let’s explore 7 of the most toxic beliefs normalized by society, and how normalization of toxic behavior can be extremely dangerous for us.



Up Next

The 5 Profound Regrets of The Dying: Life’s Last Lessons

The Profound Regrets of The Dying: Life's Last Lessons

Dying people tend to have quite a few regrets when on their deathbed. This article is going to talk about the biggest regrets of dying people and what they wish they would have done differently when they had the time. Let’s explore the top 5 regrets of the dying, and try to learn what actually matters in life.

KEY POINTS

Qualitative research on the top regrets of the dying can help us understand how to live happy lives.

Quantitative research confirms many of these findings.

Living authentically and focusing on relationships emerge as important themes in the research.



Up Next

30 Life-Changing Journal Prompts That’ll Boost Your Mental Well-being

Powerful Journal Prompts for Mental Health Strength!

Welcome to a journey of self-discovery and mental well-being! Many people resort to journaling as a method to take care of their mental healthโ€”itโ€™s like a safe house for expressing feelings and evaluating oneself.

If youโ€™re here with us, you are most likely interested in prioritizing your mental well-being. For this reason we have curated an exhaustive list of journal prompts for mental health strength, just for you!

Journaling enables you to organize your thoughts, get some clarity, and increase your mindfulness and self-awareness. Letโ€™s explore the concept of journa



Up Next

Sleep Better with Pink Noise: Your Key to Quiet Nights and Restful Sleep

What Is a Pink Noise and Amazing Ways It Helps You Sleep!

Among the many ways to find calm after a busy day, pink noise seems like a secret partner in the fight against insomnia. That is why we have compiled this inclusive article on what is pink noise!

Ever find your brain in overdrive the moment you hit the pillow? Stress and anxiety disrupting your peaceful slumber? You’re not alone. Learning what is pink noise and how it works, could be your secret weapon against sleeplessness!

Now, here’s an interesting thing: you’ve probably heard of white noise, but there’s something called pink noise that scientists say might help with sleep. Could this be the secret to better nights?