Life lessons
A good friend of mine recently welcomed her stepson into her home full-time. Listening to her talk about her stepson has been bringing back a lot of memories for me about what it was like to grow up with divorced parents. It taught me a lot -- not all bad, either. Here are a few things I learned:
Being angry about something doesn't necessarily change anything. You can be as pissed as you want about a situation, but don't expect it to change a damn thing.
People are capable of doing really mean things. And sometimes they're the meanest to the people closest to them.
Sometimes people go away and don't come back. Sometimes they let you down. And sometimes, people really can stop loving you.
A good book is the ultimate antidote for unhappiness.
You are not the center of your parents' universe. There will come a day when your parents will move on and someone else will be the center of their world. They might get remarried, or even -- gasp -- have other children.
It is possible to play too much miniature golf, or bowl too many games, or eat one too many meals at theme restaurants. To this day I can't go into a Benihana without having "weekend with Dad" flashbacks.
Loss hurts. Disappointment sucks. But it won't kill you. It can actually make you stronger, and, if you let it, it will make you a better person.
Never take anything for granted. Things can change in a flash. Appreciate the good in life wherever you find it -- the big stuff and the little stuff.
It's important to protect yourself. If you don't, nobody else will. There is nothing noble about allowing someone to hurt you again and again. There is immense power in the word, "No."
People lie. Sometimes they lie to you. Sometimes they lie to themselves and to you. Either way, the lie is easy to spot. The truth, however, is more elusive. The motive? Well, you're better off not knowing that at all.
Don't expect people to be perfect. Remember, they're doing the best they can. Sometimes just getting up in the morning is an act of bravery.
9:33:41 PM 
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