Things I've Learned While Growing Up

Things I've learned while growing up ...

• The written word has no emotions and although you can add affection or feelings to a word, it doesn't always come across that way.  I try to remember that when I read something I receive and want to disown a person or misinterpret.  I have learned to be kinder with my response or ask for clarification.
• Forgiveness is the key to all.  I learned to not carry grudges because it just festers inside you and keeps you sad or angry.  It's better to forgive.  If you can't forgive, remove the person.
• No matter how many times I say Gerard Butler should marry me, he won't.
• With the social media world, there is always that one person who annoys you with her Facebook page.  You know the one that has three to four children, five or six high bred dogs, cats, on welfare but still manages to get a tattoo every week and/or a piercing while complaining that they don't have the money to pay the bills.  Okay, you may not have someone in your life that is like that but my oldest and I did.  Instead of feeling enraged, I told my oldest to remove her as a friend and she wouldn't know what was going on with her.  I did earlier than my advice to her and it was a God send.  
• Surround yourself with positive people.  If you have that friend that is always down on something and hasn't a pleasant word for anyone, it's better to remove yourself unless you have some familial obligation and then I would distance yourself.  Negative people sap the energy from you.
• I can't eat all the chocolate I want and not gain a pound.
• I always sit on an e-mail for a day before I respond if I perceive it as mean spirited or negative to avoid starting something based on emotions.  This bode wells in work environments.  I've seen too many people go off half cocked which resulted in fighting and low morale.  Wait and then send and clarify first if needed.
• The old saying, "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all" still applies today.  I'm outraged at how cruel people are on online forums.  The civility and respect in the world is dying fast.  It's like a competition as to who can be the most cruel.  Our politicians are setting such poor examples with their hypocrisy to include Hollywood.  

I wrote this post because I was contemplating sending birthday wishes to someone tomorrow and second guessed if I should because I continue to reach out to this family member and am not met with any agreement.  The circumstances are beyond me and complicated and when I finally told myself no, I thought about the things I had learned.   I decided I will overlook that I have to make all attempts as that will get me nowhere.  I will reach out for love and for that, I will feel better.