10 Things I Have Learned

I don’t know where this came from. I’m feeling a little dark today in light of current events.

1. Never underestimate the ability you have of hurting someone’s feelings, especially at work when they are trying to learn something new. Yelling at people over email because you can is cowardly and mean and the only person who looks bad is you.

2. Never go after someone else’s man. If he cheats on her, he’ll cheat on you and make you feel crazy and irrational.

3. Never trust your ex to take your name off of something involving money. Do it yourself or be damned sure he did it, or you will have to deal with him forever when all you want is to get him out of your life. Then good luck getting a home loan. Stupid turd.

4. Respond when someone says hi to you in the hallway. They are not invisible or nonexistent because you might be in a bad mood. It is amazing what a smile and nod can do.

5. Pay your dues. Nothing's worse than having to hound someone for money they borrowed from you. That goes for your bills, too. If you're in over your head, make a plan so you can get out. Lesson learned from my doomed marriage.

6. Let people have their fair turn. You are not the only person in the parking lot/supermarket line/wherever the hell. In the great scheme of things, a couple more minutes is not a big deal. Cutting people off rude and can be dangerous for them as well as you.

7. Trust your instincts. They are smarter than you. If someone raises your hackles, there is probably a reason. If someone makes you relax, there is probably a reason. Don’t ignore it if some one you know makes you uncomfortable. And if someone makes you happy, don’t push it away.

8. Never take for granted a hot shower or a hot meal. Living in a country with electricity, modern plumbing and an abundance of food is something we should all appreciate. Americans are freaking spoiled, including myself. You should have heard me complain when I had to boil a pot of water for a bath last week!

9. Cherish your friends and family. They could go at any time, no matter how young, how old, how healthy, or how ill. Our family learned that the hard way.

10. Treat animals with kindness. Humans made them dependent, encroached on their homes and in some cases, killed them off completely. They’re just creatures doing their creature errands and there is a 99.9% chance they are doing no harm to you.