Useful Life Lessons

Life: Just over a month ago, I was on a late-night flight home from New York.  My sister-in-law and niece accompanied me.  We landed at what was 2 am New York time.  When our plane stopped at our gate, I took off my seat belt, smiled down at Gabby, and noticed a sudden furrowed brow.  The next thing I know, she sternly belts, "NO!" and sucker-punches me right in the face.  I can't blame her.  A tired two year old who had been contained on a nonstop, five hour flight, stuck in between her mother and overzealous aunt...I would have punched me too. I just hope that one day she doesn't view me as that aunt.  You know, the old aunt that you dread to see because she wears thick maroon lipstick that somehow ends up all over your face, smells like an old lady who lives with cats, and wears outdated Avon perfume. Please God, don't let me be that aunt.

Lesson: Don't mess with a grumpy toddler.

Life: A couple of weeks ago I arrived at school around 6:40.  I was preparing for what I was predicting to be a long day. As I was walking back from the copy machine, I suddenly noticed that something didn't quite feel right.  I cringed in horror when I looked down and noticed that I had two different pairs of boots on.  One boot had a heel, and the other boot was flat.  There was no time to run home and change, so I just went with it. Maybe I would start a new trend like Regina George in Mean Girls.  All I got out of that day was sarcastic comments from my students/coworkers, and a sore hip.  

Lesson: Don't be irresponsible with Netflix by staying up too late on a school night.

Life: It was a perfect spring day.  I had 100 things on my to-do list, but decided to veto them all.  I sat on the grass in shorts and a tank-top, and let my pale skin soak in the suns glorious beams of warmth, while reading a book.

Lesson: The to-do list will still be there tomorrow.  

Life: There's a commercial airing on T.V. that annoys me to no end.  It's advertising one of those cheesy online dating websites (which I don't believe in for many reasons, but hey that's just me). Anyway, some 'random' guy on the street is asking this lady how her dating life is.  She basically says that it's horrible because she's relying on her friends to set her up with the 'perfect' guy.  The sales person gives his whole spiel, and at the end asks: Now, who knows who the right guy is for you?  To which the lady replies,  I guess, me.

1. She uses the phrase, "I guess."  Lady, where is the self-confidence you should have for yourself?!
2. Why do online dating commercials always make it look as though the woman is always the desperate and single one???

So now to my point.  I've had a lot of big decisions I've had to make in the recent months.  Lucky for me, I am surrounded by loving family, friends, and mentors who want nothing but the best for me. There have been so many thoughts and advice from people coming from all different directions, that I began to doubt my own credibility, and myself.

Lesson: I had to learn to listen to my own instincts/heart, and be confident with the decision I've made.  I think it's so important to seek advice from those you trust, but even more important to have trust and peace in yourself.  After all, Audrey Hepburn did say, "Nothing is impossible.  The word itself says, 'I'm Possible'!"