Lessons Learned

I was sitting talking to a friend the other day and we ended up talking about friendship.  I started thinking about all the people I've met in these last four years.  Many have come, some have gone, but ALL of them have taught me many many lessons.

The first lesson I learned was about distance.  Over these last four years, I've lost a couple because they said we simply do not talk enough, we don't see each other enough, and it's as if I don't care. If that really is the way I made people feel, I am truly sorry.  However, I have a friend who I would lay down my life for, who I would drop everything for and simply would trust my life to.  However, I see her MAYBE once a month, and now, it's going to be a lot less.  This woman is someone I have known for years!!  Then I stop and think, and I realized, there are at least two friends I can think of that I would put in this classification. I know that I'm not going to get to talk to them much in these next 6 months, however, the lesson I took from these two, is no matter how far apart, or how little I get to see them, a true friend will always be there! As humans we mess up, and no matter how hard we try, we aren't perfect, but friends take you no matter which way you come!

My second lesson came from the most unexpected place.  A group of women that I have SO little in common with, yet consider them friends for life. They've taught me a most valuable lesson, that we all are supposed to learn when we're little: never judge a book by its cover.  When Norm came  up to me and said "I have a bootcamp class, they're a bunch of moms" I thought "Oh...great...suburban housewives." Whoa, was I wrong.  This group is a whole mess of strong thinkers, strong willed, BEYOND caring, sometimes to a fault, genuine, sweet, funny, and I think if I pulled out the dictionary next to the word "amazing" would be a picture of this group.I feel bad now saying I ever had any prejudice towards the thought of moms (I know it sounds silly, it's just one of those things.)  It was simply something I never understood and I've had the opportunity to change my whole mindset.  Because of them, I've gotten to see a whole different side to life.

There are things I've learned from so many other people, too.
- I've learned that it's okay to fail, it's how you handle it is what counts.
- I know it's all right to let go a bit, and not have to be the tough one ALL the time.
- The most important thing in life, is to make yourself number one, and TRULY believe it.  If you don't care for you, you can't help anyone else.
- Being religious and being spiritual are okay. Religion isn't always a bad thing.  Having faith that someone is watching over you is very comforting.
- Stop comparing yourself to others.  Ignore their lives on Facebook, most of the time it isn't true (or greatly exaggerated to make us think things are perfect!) Besides, everyone is different! Their goals are probably not the same as yours,  So the only person you should be comparing yourself to, is you!
- Accept love and accept help.  Most of the time, the two are connected. The ones who want to help you the most are the ones who love you the most.
- Never assume anything.  You don't know where your next blessing can come from, or how it may appear.  So many times we don't realize it until it has passed, either.
- Don't take one moment for granted.  At merely a week to go, I'm learning to appreciate, enjoy and embrace every moment I have with the people I love.  Sit, talk, laugh, cry, learn from each other.
- Last, but I think one of the most important, never, ever, EVER NEVER give up! No matter what your dream is.  No matter who thinks you are crazy for it, if it's what you want, don't let anyone tell you no! Every person has the will, the desire and the drive to follow their dreams! Maybe it takes a month, maybe four years maybe longer.   But look deep and what you've always dreamed of, and DO IT!!! I KNOW YOU CAN! If no one else believes in you, I do!  I understand, but more importantly, I know you can!

These last four years, I've learned SO much from so many different people from EVERY walk of life!  These next  few months are going to push me to levels I've never seen, but because I know I've learned what I have, I know I'll take all these lessons I've learned and become an even better soldier!