24 Lessons We Learnt This 2024 - Part 2
Simple Men community edition.
This is part two of a series that began last week with an article in which I shared the top 24 lessons I learnt in 2024. I thought it would be fun to continue the series and make part two a community edition, in which followers and subscribers could share their lessons and be featured in the blog.
If you haven’t read part one, click the article below to read it first.
We got way more than 24 lessons submitted, so after a careful curation of the advice, here’s the top 24 lessons that Simple Men all over the world learnt in 2024.
24. Work as though everything depends upon you. Pray as though everything depends upon God.
— Guardian
God provides the wind, but you must raise the sail. Hard work and faith, together, is what you should be striving for.
23. Stop keeping up with any current events.
— Pius
Being “informed” in this day and age usually just means allowing propaganda to fill your brain. Most current events are irrelevant to you, your family, and your mission on this earth.
22. That sanctification, like maturity takes time, struggle and errors made in trials. But through it all the Lord is glorified.
— Adam C.
Sanctification is a lifelong process, and the true and final vocation of all Christians. But God is glorified in the process, in your resilience and commitment to be better and in your perseverance and reluctance to quit trying.
21. Disciplined consistency is the only way forward.
— Giorgio
Any worthy endeavor requires uncommon discipline over long periods of time. Accept the fact that whatever goal you have, if it means anything, will take effort, time, and sacrifice.
20. The beauty of patience.
— Saul
God’s timing is always better than our own. We’ve become used to wanting everything instantly, but God works differently. He gives you what you need exactly when you need it, and what you need might be different from what you think you need. Learn to wait and trust His timing.
19. “Just do the thing”, from Oliver Burkeman’s book — Meditations for Mortals.
— Iain F.
If you encounter a task that takes less than 2 minutes to complete, just do it immediately. It’s highly likely that you will spend way more than 2 minutes thinking about it, planning for it and postponing it. You’ll also find that most of your obligations take just a few minutes to complete.
18. Coming to Christ requires an open heart more than an open mind.
— Ryan Pugliese
You can have all the rational arguments to believe in God laid out in front of you, but you need to willingly open your heart to Him if you truly want to know Him. It’s not enough to rationally “believe”. It takes nothing less than an open heart and the full surrendering of it to Christ.
17. Pray and you’ll be okay.
— Guillem R.
God has a way of making sure that things work out. Usually we worry without reason, only to later realize just how much God was listening to and protecting us. Throughout it all, keep praying and staying faithful. Let God take care of it.
16. All you need is Christ, the rest will follow
— Robert J. F.
Amen.
15. To those in error, we must be compassionate and charitable, while still being firm in our faith. If they knew better, they would be doing it.
— Daniel T.
It’s often difficult to remain humble and charitable with those who are clearly going down the wrong path. But we must remember that instead of pontificating and thinking too highly of ourselves, we should pray for them and remember that we too are broken and in need of help. Pride is a real temptation, and it’s fought against with a humble heart and a spirit of humility.
14. My own action will either lead to my uprising or my downfall.
— Gatlin M.
Free will means that you can directly influence your circumstances. Every choice that you make can either bring you closer to virtue or lead you towards hell. Choose wisely.
13. Curiosity about the unseen future and worship of God are helpful antidotes to nihilism and depression.
— Levi
Faith saves you from anxiety. Hope saves you from nihilism. There can always be a better future, and you can directly influence how things play out.
12. As a man, prepare for endless difficulties.
— Prudhvi
Life is a battle, and there’s no other option than participating in it. Strengthen your body, mind and spirit so you can face whatever comes bravely.
11. The most interesting are the most interested.
— Willem C.
Charisma and social skills are easier to come by than you might think. Just show genuine interest in other people and listen attentively to them, instead of thinking about yourself and how you are being perceived.
10. Best to keep your mouth shut until you have to open it.
— Christian B.
Your default setting should be to stay quiet and pay attention. Every word that comes out of your mouth should serve a specific, intentional purpose.
9. People will tell you how they want to be treated through their boundaries.
— Raul M.
Most won’t be aware enough or confident enough to be outspoken and explicit about their boundaries. Learn to read their boundaries by their behaviors and attitudes, not by what they say.
8. Pray for stronger shoulders, not lighter burdens.
— JD. S.
You need stronger shoulders to carry your cross and help those around you carry theirs. God won’t take the cross away from you but He’ll help you carry it and give you the strength you need to do it.
7. How weak I am.
— Lacey M.
So are we all. And while we might make ourselves stronger and more virtuous, we will never not need Christ to save us and show us the way.
6. Always regulate your emotions and never say or do anything that you’ll regret.
— Zahi R.
It’s never wise to make decisions when overly emotional. Furthermore, wait until your head cools down before you do or say anything. Emotions have been the ruin of many a relationship and of the reputation of many men. Maintain your temper at all time.
5. Most of your “friends” aren’t actually your friends.
— Hurford
Very few people in this world are loyal to you. Make an effort to recognize who’s really your friend and who’s just a poser. Don’t be afraid to stop giving your time and effort to those who clearly aren’t on your side.
4. Whether having a good day or a bad day say to yourself: “this too shall pass”.
— Lao H.
Everything passes. Don’t let yourself believe that whatever you’re going through will last. Nothing is eternal in this world.
3. Trusting the Lord with all your heart requires you to summon all the grit, perseverance and focus to accomplish.
— Iceman
Trusting God instead of our own understanding is challenging, as it requires you to break free from many influences that want you to idolize yourself. It’s a great act of humility, and you will need to be constantly fighting against your lower faculties and the temptation to idolize your own understanding.
2. Appreciate what you have.
— Marko R.
Simple but extremely meaningful advice. You probably have a lot of blessings in your life. Be grateful for them every single day.
1. Take action! Don’t wait until tomorrow.
— Kurt R.
You’re not guaranteed tomorrow.
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Honorable you quoted me, many thanks. It’s a blessing to have this validation really humbled