Tuesday, October 12, 2010

August and September Lessons, Mashup Style

It seems strangely appropriate that I combine August and September's lessons into one big mashup, as the past two months have been a wonderful whirlwind. So, before I get too busy once again, here goes nothing:

1. I truly think that once you finally decide that you're worth more than what you've been settling for, and you take action on that realization, the universe rewards you by bringing you more than you thought you could deserve.

2. Sometimes things are just right. You can feel it in your bones.

3. Recent events in others' lives have shown me yet again that you just never know what tomorrow holds, so you should tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.

4. Few things are as wonderful as a new book.

5. God works in the most splendidly mysterious ways.

6. Sometimes dilemmas are just an opportunity for you to step up to the plate and shine.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Just a thought.

It hit me: Here I am, always yearning to give away my love, affection, caring to someone else. When really, I should be giving those things to myself first, instead of searching for someone else to give it all away to.

Just a thought.

Lessons From July. Once Again Belated.

I'm on my couch, drinking red wine, and watching "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC. While coming to the realization that there is a significant chance that I will never get married. Masochism at its finest. And with that, here's what I learned in July:

1. It feels good to learn new things. You might find interest in areas you didn't think you ever would.

2. Don't ever, EVER, feel stupid for speaking your mind.

3. There is a difference between being patient and being pathetic. It's a thin, delicate line, but it all comes down to how you feel.

4. Nothing makes me feel more like me than being around my best friends and my family. Nothing.

I have a feeling August will be a month chock full of lessons. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Lessons From June

A little closer to "on time" with this installment.

1. Little Rock should follow Vegas' lead and give free drinks and front-of-the-line access to decent looking single women.

2. They say patience is a virtue. But being pathetic, however, is not.

3. You never know unless you ask.

4. Some of the best times in life are some of the simplest.

Monday, June 21, 2010

(Late) Lessons From May

So I'm late with the monthly lessons. Again. This is a testament to just how busy I've been lately. New job, new opportunities, new crush, these things take up more time than you'd think.

So (belatedly) here's what I learned in May:

1) If you don't try for something, it will never happen. If you don't at least ask, the answer will always be "no."

2) There is such a thing as being too busy.

3) Best friends' weddings are the best. And are typically prime breeding ground for poorly thought out decisions. And dancing.

4) Sometimes you don't know the impact you've had on a place, person, or situation until you're removed from it.

I'll try to be more prompt with the June installment.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Karma of Jealousy

I'm fairly certain I was recently used to make someone jealous.

Having been jealous, and having been the one using people to make certain other people jealous, I feel it was my time to be used. My karmic duty.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Momentary Mentors

I've long admired Gwen Moritz, Editor of Arkansas Business. I think she is an extremely savvy business woman, an excellent journalist, and an all around neat woman.

I'd sent Gwen about a million press releases over the years, but never had the chance to meet her in person until late last year at a reception. I sent her an email after the event to let her know I was glad to have the chance to speak to her in person, and a back and forth of emails and facebooking began from there.

I posted to my facebook this week about my first solo outing, to The Rep. I'd never gone anywhere by myself, ever, until this weekend. I found it liberating, and met some really cool old ladies that I wouldn't have otherwise met.

A friend of mine commented on my post, saying that she's been trying to muster up the courage to see an afternoon movie solo, but she hasn't yet found the chutzpah to do so.

Gwen was very saddened by this, and she sent me a message telling me so. She said that we should never, ever not do something we want to do just because we don't have someone to do it with us. And she's right. Life is too short to miss even a single opportunity to grow, to learn, and to experience. She went on to explain that as a married mother, she rarely has opportunities be alone these days, and she cherishes the time that she does have to herself. Very valid point, one I appreciated.

So in that moment, Gwen was my momentary mentor, whether she realized it or not. She shared something from her own experience that will change the way I think and act.

There are formal processes to being a mentor, be it a professional mentor or some other form of mentorship. But we shouldn't discount the momentary mentors that swoop in and out of our lives, always at just the right moment.