Together Last Tuesday - (Un?)Conventional Wisdom

Notice what I did there?  I am making up for last week's missed ToT post.  It just occurred to me that at a glance, you may think this is my last ToT post, nope, not the case...I just crafted a little bit of word play into the title.  Put down the Kleenex...Dog Days of Life is NOT leaving the ToT group!  Just being a little tricky...well...because it is MY blog...so, I can do that!  Am I going to get sued for actually saying Kleenex instead of tissues??  Oh well, we'll burn that bridge if it comes to pass!

I typically don't always go back and make up missed posts, but I was really looking forward to this one, and well, quite frankly, I was sulking about missing it.  The only cure was to write it.


Share the life lessons you have learned so far:

1. Bad things happen to good people.  It sucks, but it is a part of life that we can't change.  
2. We won't always understand why we go through certain things in life.  At some point, you just have to accept what you are dealing with and stop spinning your wheels on the 'why' part.  You just have to accept that you may never know - we aren't supposed to know everything about our lives.  Plain and simple. 
3. A good indicator of someone's true character is how they treat those in the service industry.  If I want to get a good sense of someone's true character, I pay close attention to how they treat a waiter or waitress.  A truly nice person is appreciative of the service they get from a waiter/waitress doing a good job.  Someone who gets their kicks or self-esteem boost from belittling, talking down to, or otherwise being a jackass to a hardworking waiter or waitress is NOT a nice person; they are not my friend, and they never will be.  
4. Blaming others for your lot in life only carries you so far.  Get over it.  At some point you just have to suck it up, put on your 'big girl/boy panties' and move forward as a responsible member of society.  You can only blame your parents for the first 18 years of your life...beyond that, you are legally an adult, your choices are up to you.  Own them, take responsibility.  Be a grown up and don't dwell in the past. 
5. Have a sense of humor.  Life is hard, but a good sense of humor can make it a lot less hard.  
6. Surround yourself with people who can make you laugh and love doing so.  Whether it be friends, spouse/significant other, or co-workers find people who love life and laughter to spend your time with.  
7. Stop thinking through the 'what if' scenarios.  In certain situations, you will certainly drive yourself to insanity.  I have always been the 'what if' lady...it is just how my mind works.  Great for analytical thinking that I use at work, but horrible for things that happen in life.  (Somewhat) jokingly, I have referred to myself as the 'worst case scenario calculator'.  But, I have been put in some situations this year that have forced me to stop my mind from going down the 'what if' path.  The 'what if' path contains things that are just too dark and horrible for me to think about.  Thankfully, God has pulled me through these situations with good results, and who am I to second guess the grace He has shown me and those around me?  
8. Don't freak out over the small stuff.  Life is too short for that.  At the end of your days, do really want to reflect back on your life and see that you spent most of it fussing over the insignificant, mundane details?  
9. Take a few minutes one week to meet your Garbage Man (or Woman).  They could be really nice.  We've met ours, and he is really a nice guy.  Besides, those times when you forget and try flagging him down on his way back down the street...he/she can choose to see you, or not see you.
10. Have a pet, at least once in your lifetime.  They bring joy to a home.  We all know I am a dog person, but that is just me.  I have had cats, and cats can be absolutely entertaining - cats are always plotting against you and it can be fun trying to stay a step ahead of them!  
11. Sometimes being a grown-up sucks.  Life can get really complicated and sometimes we have to make tough decisions that have no good outcome no matter what you choose.   
12. It is OKAY to laugh at things society says it is inappropriate to laugh at.  Just choose your time, location, and company accordingly!
13. Listen to your gut instincts.  It is there for a reason, so don't ignore it.
14. Don't sugar-coat things.  Life isn't always sweet, and finding out this reality will feel like having a band-aid ripped off after a lifetime of being sheltered.  Just avoid all that and tell it like it is. 
15. Marry the person you can't live without - the person you would gladly walk barefoot from New York to California just to spend some time with.
16. Be aware of the unconditional love in your life - both those who love you unconditionally, and those who you love unconditionally.  Unconditional love is the best security blanket in the world.  
17. In career/business: everyone is replaceable.  Period.  Of course there are some 'workplace superstars' out there that have convinced themselves otherwise.  I have watched others think this, and have seen more than once the subsequent fall from grace.  The very instant they deem themselves irreplaceable, is the very same instant that big head of theirs has been distracted long enough to be unaware of the target they just put on their own backs.  In business, everyone is replaceable.  Do a great job; pat yourself on the back here and there, but in the end stay grounded.  Why?  Because you are replaceable, and know this: someone out there can do a better job than you, and someone out there wants/needs your job.  If you disagree with me, then you are probably someone who needs to hear this.  
18. Don't be that coworker who over-does everything and is that person who goes so over the top that you cause everyone to lose perks or privileges just because you are an idiot.  Everyone (besides you, that is) knows it is because of you.  People will lose respect for you, no matter how good you are at your actual job, and people are talking about you.  Its true, I'm sorry, but its true.  The same applies to the person who makes the biggest, most drunken ass of themselves at the company Christmas party - so don't be that person either...even if it is the only night of the year you get out on the town.   
19. Don't work harder to get out of work than it would be to do the actual work itself.  That just isn't an efficient use of energy, time, or effort.  
20. You can't fight every battle.  Accept that, then choose carefully which battles you want to fight.  Once you have decided that, dig in...dig in for the long haul and don't give up.