One tidbit I have from a teacher of mine is this peculiar analogy. She told me, everyone has to row his/her own boat. What I think she meant was that every person is on their own life journeys, and each person bears the responsibility to can propel themselves forward. Whatever may come to pass, while a friend, lover, parent, brother or sister wish to assuage your suffering, they cannot bear it for you. On the other hand, maybe you are a refuge of stability, like a tree where others take shelter from the storms in their life. Others seek your shelter, yet you know as well as any that you cannot take these away from them. A small thing for her to say at the time, but one that stuck with me. What tidbits of wisdom have past teachers imparted on to you?