What I have learned today December 1st, 2018.( Soon to be 46 years old).
The end of the year is coming soon and somehow feels like a milestone. I guess after this I will soon be the furthest away from being young and officially stepping closer into the senior world. I am not afraid of it. I just wished I had the wisdom I had when I was 20. Would have made my life so much easier back then but hey...I would have missed the fun of learning right?
Here is what I have learned and what you can expect from me now...
1. Kindness is not weakness. I have noticed this much more being in Netherlands. Dutch are strong in character and in manners. I have chosen kindness in many ways over not saying Hello or not smiling or not helping if needed. I have chosen to be kind to everyone around me including those that ignore me or treat me wrong. Is not that I am weak. I actually chose it. And because is a choice means sometimes can be difficult and sometimes I want to or I am as rude and hurt others as they have hurt me but I believe that kindness is what we need in this world...more than arrogance, intelligence or position.
2. Always leave doors open. This relates exclusively for Business and Volunteer positions. Ever since we got married I have had to move here and there. Adapting, giving my best to where I am and then having to say good bye. I have been blessed with most of my managers. One exception. The rest have become friends and mentors. As I am naturally loyal( Loyalty is also not weakness) I have doors open in places I worked before and where I volunteered. I cherish my ex managers, my colleagues...all those that shared with me my business life or my volunteer life. As for the rest...toxic people, those that hurt you with intention, those that don't want to like you as you are or simply don't take the time for you...those doors can be kept closed.
3. Marriage is not easy but definitely fun and comfortable: I have been married for almost 10 years. Of those years we have had harsh ups and downs. I have wanted to run away to feel free then the next moment I know could never live without my husband and so on. We are completely different in many ways, we can talk for hours but we can fight for hours...difference makes it never boring, common grounds makes it very fun and laughter is what keeps us going strong.
4. Family is THE most important thing. Having moved around there were moments when you don't have much with you and I have to confess that I felt overwhelmed in many cases and my faith was very thin. However, only when I hold my son with me or I when I am in the arms of my husband or I have a nice talk with my mom is when I could feel the balance. Nothing compensates the fact to go home and have someone waiting for you.
5. Have fun. Life is too short to stay in places where you are not welcomed or feel miserable every day. Try to enjoy what you do, enjoy the happiness and success of others, help others, volunteer...believe me..the energy I get by doing this is amazing.
6. Write. The best therapy. When I write I feel an immediate feeling of focusing. The hyperactive mind I have seems to calm down only when I write.
Finally...dance..always dance and never stop. This is of course related to the Have Fun Part...and if your husband dances like mine..even better.
Getting ready for next year...
So I am happily starting to have lunch with a colleague I had met in a Jane Austen event and I was ready to talk about Jane Austen's books, the regency time and much more when she comes with the questions: so how come you read...and in fact...in Colombia are there bookstores, WiFi...?