Preconceived Notions and lessons learned - Friday 26March2010

Class of 1985 continues to survive...




While on my business trip to Atlanta, GA, I met with a high school friend for supper. I had not seen her for 25 years. We had chatted once on the phone, but we had not kept up with each other after all these years. We found each other again on facebook, and we have been catching up with each other a little ever since. But, we really wanted to spend a few hours together and catch up on old times. After some thoughts about where to go, we decided on the Spaghetti Warehouse and we had a blast. We talked about old friends, ex-husbands, and our future dreams.



One thing I learned tonight is do not have preconceived notions about someone before you get to know them. Most likely you are wrong. She seemed very afraid to tell me about the last 25 years of her life, but when she did, and I told her about mine, she was very happy she had shared. Her impression of me was that I had been married this whole time to the same man, we had two perfect children, and we lived a perfect life. But, what she found out is very far from those thoughts. I have been married 4 times, my children and I have survived very carefully, and that just because someone looks happy and outgoing, does not mean they have a perfect life. Of course, I had my own preconceived notions, which were also dispelled. So, after all the drinks and fun, the important thing to remember is just live life.

I think about all the people in the past who I would have loved to have been friends with, but who shunned me because they thought I was too good for them. This is something a friend of mine finally told me after the first year we were friends. She told me that at first she did not want to be my friend because while at work I was always so serious, I always wore nice clothes, and didn't socialize too much. She said she felt I was rich or came from a rich family. OH MY GOSH. That is so far from the truth is is funny. But, what breaks my heart is there have been people in the past who I would have loved to hang out with, but for whatever reason, I could never get them to go out and have fun with me. I wonder how many times I have done this same thing to others? I wonder how many great friendships I have lost due to preconceived notions.

We spend too much time worrying how others will see us to really enjoy being friends with them. We all have our demons we have fight. Don't judge someone just on who you think they are. Take time to get to know someone first, and if you still don't feel you could be friends with them, at least you gave the effort. In life, not everyone is going to get along, and not everyone is going to be friends, but don't avoid someone just because you think you have that person figuered out. Respect each other as individuals and for the trials and tribulations another person has faced, even if you do not know what those trials are.



Review for this day - finished my class for work and gathered great notes, met with a high school friend, learned a few things about life, and drank some really good alcohol.



Today earned a rating of 4 Stars! ****






Rating Legend

**** One for the record books. Happy and productive day. (birds were singing in my head) Thank God I got out of bed today!

*** This day was A-Ok. Nothing special, but nothing bad either. Even Keel. It would have been a shame not to experience this day. Good thing I decided to get our of bed today.

** Keep this day, but store it in a scrapbook somewhere. A couple of important moments. Could have stayed in bed.



* Keep in memory, but nothing to write home about. Having more sleep would have been more productive. Should have stayed in bed.



0 Stars - Forget this day ever happened. It was a waste of time or was very painful. I should have taped myself to the bed and consumed medication to get through this day.






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MY Personal Rating for this day = 50 points

Each item is worth 10 points = the goal is 50 points per day

*** Anything lasting more than 1 hour wins 20 points, and anything lasting more than 4 hours wins 30 points. ***

1. Contact at least one of my adult children daily (by text, e-mail, letter, note, or phone.)
2. Completing one project on "big project list"
3. Work on my tasks in Govloop (Greeter #2, GPC, and picking favorite stuff)
4. Work on my Resume or resume website
5. Doing one thing to progress my current professional future
6. Doing one thing to progress my Businesses
7. Exercising at least 30 minutes
8. Read One news article
9. Read a passage from the Bible (even from the internet)
10. Spend time listening to one friend today (on the phone, e-mail, or in person)
11. Do something nice for a complete stranger today.