As we are moving through Fall and into Winter it’s been one lesson right after another, and I love it. Life is never going to be smooth sailing all the time, but as we pass through the different seasons of our life we learn how to deal with the changing tides. I welcome change and I feel good about where I am right now even though it’s far from perfect. We all need something to work on and life is a work in progress…always.
The lesson that I learned is that:
10. it’s not all about me. ( The husband called me on this one. Without going into detail, a certain upcoming interaction with other parents made me feel uncomfortable. I got the “It’s not about you, but about the kids.” speech. He was right on. I got through it and my kids are happy.)
9. keeping your mouth shut when you really want to say “Why?” is sometimes the right thing to do. ( Oh boy have I been keeping my mouth shut. It’s just not worth the confrontation at times.)
8. some people crave attention so badly that they will use other people’s sorrow to gain it. ( I just can’t….If something horrible happens to me and you aren’t fundraising for me or my family please don’t post about it on your page to garner comments, etc. It’s horrible.)
7. when I get nervous I laugh a little bit. ( I felt awful for letting out that giggle at an inappropriate moment. I thought about it and I’ve done it before. I never knew that I did this. Ugh!)
6. I’m not the only one that stopped volunteering once I had a bad experience. ( This is going to be a post all by itself. Trust me people can be mean to volunteers.)
5. everyone knows when you are using a filter to smooth out your face. ( I haven’t used one in quite sometime, but I have to say I would never recognize some folks in public because of their overuse of filters. Ladies you are beautiful say no to the filter. #NoFilterFace)
4. if I’m going to be home, running the crockpot isn’t a good idea. ( I think I over ate all day because of the yummy smell. Darn it!)
3. people have gotten careless with their use of language. ( I’m tired of my kids having to hear people curse and talk crudely in public. I’m tired of hearing it myself. I’m not a saint and I throw the f-word around a bit. I’ve slipped up in front of my kids and have apologized. I feel as if people don’t care anymore. I want my boys to be respectful and it’s difficult when it’s poorly modeled in the world around them. Little ears are listening folks.)
2. you can try to explain your situation to people, but that doesn’t mean that they will understand. ( I’m done trying to explain myself to anyone. Sometimes things don’t work for me, or I’m not willing to exchange a part of my life to be somewhere or do something just because other people are doing it. My life looks different from yours and so does everyone’s. We can’t really walk in another’s shoes can we?)
1. life is easier when you just accept people for who they are instead of hoping they will change. ( It’s taken me awhile to let go of my expectations I have placed on people. I’m better off being accepting.)
Uncle Wally says
OMG! #5 The filters! I have a acquaintance/friend who uses a “beauty” app before posting any photos of herself on Facebook or social media. She makes herself look like a model, removes a prominent mole on her nose and thins her cheeks on her round face, but when you see her in person, you don’t believe it’s her. When I point it out to her, she insists it looks just like her. It’s become a little joke among our mutual acquaintances. That’s when I have to go to your Lesson #1 and just accept it instead of hoping she will change. She won’t. Judging from the number of doctored photos she truly believes she is that beauty and I feel like Austin Powers in that scene where he’s trying to not look at the mole the other agent’s face – except I’m trying to find what happened to it! Seems to me a visit to a dermatologist might be a little expensive, but require less effort in the long run.
Rache says
This fall I have learned to stop sweating the small stuff. I just bought a house and moved in with my boyfriend and boy oh boy have I learned that it’s not all about me, not to sweat the small stuff and to let things go. (Great post; I may have to steal this idea!)
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
Sounds like a reflective fall for you. Hats off to you! The only way we can grow is to reflect I think.
Emily says
I think it is great to reflect on things you have learned about yourself, either funny or profound. I laughed when you mentioned the crock pot being on and smelling so good you over ate. 🙂
Anitra | The Mom on the Move says
9 is so hard for me. Sometimes people are just wrong. I hate to leave them in their ignorance. ???
Cynthia says
You have been busy thinking about things that many of us do. Sounds like you are getting yourself together. I love fall and to me, the cooler weather brings me inside the house and inside myself too. I have the time to contemplate and you have given me some thing s to think about.
Ashley @irishred02 says
I need to let some things go and not bother with perfection!
Erin @ Stay at Home Yogi says
I’m learning so much this fall as well. I’m learning to push myself harder and dream bigger when it comes to goal setting. But at the same time I’m learning that I need to listen to my body and rest more as well! It’s a tough balance. I’m with you on the nervous laughing too 😉
Kimberly says
These are all good lessons that you have learned. They can be so hard to maintain sometimes, though. Ugh. For me, I struggle with keeping my mouth shut. I’m very inquisitive and sometimes it can be a bit intrusive. All I can say is I’m working on it!
Laura Funk says
The filter thing. Seriously. I just do not get it. No one looks flawless. Also keeping your mouth shut this political season has been a real challenge for me.
carissa garabedian says
This is a great list! I also laugh when I am nervous! I am working on not trying to explain myself! Thanks for this list, I am going to reflect back on it!