Today Was A Good Day! Relationships and Opportunities

Relationships and Opportunities

I have had a few good days recently but I'm very excited about today.  I'm sure you're wondering why and I don't want to prolong your wait so here we go...

First of all, I went to a going away lunch for a coworker.  You may be thinking, "How is that good?"  Well, I don't mean the part about the person leaving.  He will be missed and I'm sure he will do great things at his new location...plus he's coming back!  I heard this coworker speak a few times and he always repeated something that stuck with me.  He said, "It's not about the work you did and the deadlines you meet or bust.  It's about the relationships you build and the people you meet.  Those are the things most people will remember."  I think that is a very valid point.  When I think about the places I've been, I automatically start thinking about the people I met and the fun we had.  I remember the jobs but not as clearly as the relationships.  I have met some great people in my life...my early life...I still have a lot left!

Next, I want to talk about seizing opportunities.  In life, we may see a lot of forks in the road.  These are our options and our course in life is shaped by the actions we take.  Today, I hit a fork in the road.  I attended a meeting and during it, I noticed there were some great people that I could meet and possibly network with because...it's about the relationships we build!  After the meeting was over, everyone had the opportunity to meet and greet each other.  Well, I'm still a bit shy so networking is out of my comfort zone.  It was easier for me to walk away...and that's what I did.  I left the building and went to my car.

I was at the fork in the road and I made my choice.  Was it the right choice?  I didn't think so.  While at my car, I kept thinking, "I should have stayed and networked."  Based on a book I recently read, the word "should" is normally negative because most of the time when it's used, it's describing something you regret.  So, as soon as the word "should" came out of my mouth, I recognized it and I changed it to "could".  So my statement was "I could have stayed and networked."  Then I thought, "Well, I haven't left yet!  I still can!"  So I took my nerves, pushed them aside, and decided I would not walk away.  That's not who I am!  I walked inside the building...still somewhat shy...I'm not going to force my way into a conversation.  When the time was right, I introduced myself and I had a good conversation.  Then I introduced myself again and had a good conversation.  This happened repeatedly.  In the end, I think I made some good connections and had the chance to meet and talk to some great people.

To some this may seem like a small feat, but to others, this may give them the strength in a similar situation.  Maybe you can tell in my writing, I am really excited about this!  I almost ran away from the opportunity but I recovered.  Regardless of how the relationships and connections I made today turn out in the future...I grew today!  So, today was a good day!

Not As We

Sometimes in life, we build friendships or relationships.  In that moment in time, we think they will last forever.  Some do...some don't.  That's the reality of it.  We never know what the future may hold.  In school, I had a couple of close friends.  At that time, I thought we'd be friends forever.  Now, I haven't spoken to them in over a decade.  We just lost touch.  I had another friend I checked in with every year or so whenever something reminded me of him.  Now, when something reminds me of him, I can't talk to him.  I'm just reminded that he's gone.  It's true the good die young.  Sometimes people come into your life for a lifetime, but sometimes it's only for a moment.  It's hard to predict how long any relationship will last so you should cherish the relationship as long as it exists.

Kissed By The Sun

I knew the sun well.  She was always outside and I was more of an inside person.  When I went outside, I would acknowledge her and extend a courteous greeting.  She would return a warm greeting.  When I drove my car, I could see her watching me but her presence was calmed by the air conditioning.  Sometimes I turned off the AC and drove with my windows down.  There were times when I ignored the sun while resting my arm on the door.  She gently let me know she was there by lightly touching my arm.  If I continued to ignore her charm, she persisted until the heat was too much and I was forced to pull my arm away.  This wasn't the relationship I wanted; she was too pushy.  But somehow, one day, my feelings changed.  I decided to go to the beach.  I walked outside but she wasn't there...only dark clouds.  I had packed my beach gear for a nice day but she didn't show up.  Was she no longer smitten with me?  I drove around for an hour with my windows down.  Finally, I felt her faint touch on my arm.  Then it became more pronounced.  I looked up and she was back.  We went to the beach and I laid with her.  She watched over me and I felt so comfortable with her.  I fell asleep, for what seemed like a moment.  She woke me from my slumber with a kiss.  It was hot! Oh God, it was hot!  Too hot!  I jumped up, scolded her, and ran away.  For days, I stayed inside and avoided her.  I cursed her as my skin itched uncomfortably and eventually peeled.  My friends tell me often how nice the sun is, but I am too familiar with her.  She brought me pain.  Our relationship will never be the same.

A Penny for My Thoughts

Sometimes I like to think about where I will be five years from now...in regards to relationships, work, and finances.  I feel like I'm on track in all regards but nothing is a given and a lot can happen in five years.  I'm not rushing the future.  It just seems so far away now but I know once five years has past, I will wonder where the time went.  Time is weird like that.  It's good to have an idea of where you hope to be in life five years from now but you can't be consumed by what the future holds.  You will miss the important life events in the present.  This year I am focusing on the present to create a brighter future.

Give and Take

There are a lot of times when I am self centered; I focus only on my wants and needs.  In any relationship, whether a friendship or a romantic relationship, you have to be considerate of the other person.  That person may like to spend time with you because of the qualities that you bring to the relationship but you should not bring selfishness into the relationship.  Sure, there will be times when you are selfish because you really want to have it your way.  You can't be selfish all the time or even make it seem like something normal in your relationship if you want longevity.  If you value the relationship, you will value that person's thoughts and opinions as well as you own.  If you create the relationship, the other person must have qualities that you like and enjoy.  I try to keep that in mind so that any time I'm riding the line on being too selfish, I can make the corrections before I damage the relationship.  Even riding the line is probably cutting it too close.  I just try to remember...in any relationship, there has to be Give and Take.  May all your relationships be positive, long lasting relationships.