Lessons (Re)Learned

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Apparently I have a learning disability. There are certain life lessons that I'm apparently incapable of learning the first time around. Or the second. Or the third. You get the idea.

Thankfully, my life provides me with ample opportunities to learn these lessons over and over again, and in a few cases, they've even stuck. This makes me happy because it gives me the opportunity to not only be a better person, but to get more enjoyment from my life, as well.

This year has been pretty challenging here at the Big Yellow House due to a variety of external factors. On the bright side, I've learned (and relearned) some lessons as a result:

With a Little Help from my Friends

Asking for help when you need it is a net good in the world. This is true both personally and professionally, and although it's advice I tend to give, it's much harder for me to take. This is especially true in my new gig in the Military Industrial Complex, because I still feel like I have things to prove. In my old job, I would not have hesitated to call my amazing boss if I ran into trouble - it was his job to plow the road, and I accepted his help without trouble. I need to learn this lesson in my new job, as well. I have a new amazing boss who is at least as effective as my old one, and giving him the chance to help me be successful is not a sign of weakness.

Virtue unlocked: Humility.

Book of Love

You know what makes running around, and around, and around on a track much better? Listening to books by Terry Pratchett, specifically, the Discworld Books narrated by Nigel Planer. This series is simply delightful, and I'm so happy Random Michelle introduced them to me.

Virtue unlocked: Contentment.

You Can't Always Get What you Want

It's true - sometimes you can't get what you want. But if you aren't honest with people about your expectations, you have no chance of getting what you want or what you need from those relationships. Adult relationships sometimes include hard, painful conversations surrounding this core fact. Sometimes they're effective. Sometimes they're not. But they're always, always worth having, because everyone deserves a chance to do better in their life and their relationships, and staying silent robs them of this chance.

Virtue unlocked: Honesty.

Say What You Want

Taking pleasure in small things is a virtue that is worth cultivating. For example, I was listening to a Podcast where one of the speakers used the word "fungible." I love that word. Although the meaning isn't particularly whimsical, the word itself sounds like it should be. Say it out loud: FUNGIBLE. Hee. Here's another one: Cromulent. HA. The idiosyncrasies of language is a never ending delight. 

Virtue unlocked: Joy.

5 comments:

Anne C. said...

I don't think I've mentioned recently how much I love being your friend. You are awesome and inspiring, not least because you are doing all this self-investigation for yourself and not because it looks good. <3

(I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!)

Random Michelle K said...

I must know--what is your favorite story arc in Discworld?

Mine vacillates between the Watch and DEATH.

But my FAVORITE character is The Librarian.

OOK!

Janiece said...

Michelle, I've only read 5 of them, so I don't have a favorite per se. I'll let you know when I have enough background to decide.

However, I loved the "doctor" in the book you sent me. :-)

Random Michelle K said...

OOK!

Carol Elaine said...

I haven't read any of the Discworld series, but I have seen the adaptations available on Netflix. And yes, the Librarian is awesome. Though I'm rather fond of the lead character in "Going Postal."