Lessons Learned and Re-Learned

Over these last few weeks, I've found myself unexpectedly unemployed for the first time in many years and, although I've been interviewing and testing and all those good things, nothing has stuck as of yet. It is no surprise that no one is actively hiring during the last two weeks of the year. It is somewhat stressful, but I've got a wonderful, supportive husband and I'm just working to get something flexible enough to allow me to get back to school at night, with enough free time for writing and family. As we're near the start of a brand new year, it's a great time to reflect. In reflecting on what lead me to recently leave a shiny brand new job, I've learned and re-learned a few life lessons I'd like to share.

1. No one, no matter what title, status, or social standing they have deserves to be treated like garbage. Bullying is something that should never happen to our kids, to our co-workers, or to our friends. Until just recently, I never knew what being bullied actually felt like. I was ignorant. I figured it was something that could be shrugged off or ignored, but when it's tolerated and allowed in a school or work setting, no amount of shrugging it off will work. Bullies can be relentless, so if you see it happening, say something. Lauging along with a bully makes the person being bullied feel even more alienated. Bullies should not be tolerated. Find your voice and say something.

2. Find what you love and love what you do. I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and that we're all on our own journey when it comes to finding and living out our passions. When working with others, find something good about your work, each day. Asking at the end of each work day these four questions will give you a guage to know if you're working effectively, to inact change, and to be an effective leader (even if you're not in a leadership capacity): Have I learned something? Have I taught something? Have I complimented someone? Have I fixed something? I believe if you truly care about what you do, you'll be able to answer each of these questions almost every day with a YES.

3. Stand up for something...Even if you feel like you're standing alone and naked in a blizzard. Don't sacrifice your morals or your values for anything, but also don't be afraid to let in new ideas and hear challenging viewpoints.

4. Embrace Change. It is inevitable, so embracing it becomes exciting, regardess of whether you're clutching it with your teeth gritted and your eyes closed. :)

5. Never, ever, ever underestimate the power of love and friendship. There is immeasurable power in loving others and being loved.

6. Death is a guarantee. We're all going to die someday, hopefully very far in the future. But, knowing we're going to die should mean we're living for something. If you're not sure what you're living for, reevaluate your priorities right now. Know makes you happy and if you're not doing it, decide why not and what you need to do to get to whatever happy looks like for you. Don't wait for tomorrow as it is not guaranteed.

7. Give to others. There is always a need. Do whatever you can do to help those in need or less fortunate. Make a tiny mark whenever possible. This will perpetuate one of the most powerful things in the world: hope.

8. Words are powerful. They can become weapons or inspire peace. Your words are meaningful and should be chosen very wisely. Think before you speak or before you hit that send button. Some things are better left unsaid, and some things need to be said before it's too late.

9. "Just because something shines doesn't mean that it's gold." Someone recenly said this to me when I was explaining what a great opportunity I had been given that I wasn't able take advantage of. I mulled this comment over for a few minutes and smiled, realizing this person was absolutely right.

10. Starting over takes courage and gumption. It's easy to become complacent and sit in an environent you hate because it's scary to step foot into the unknown. Sometimes you will stumble and fall and have regrets and anxiety. Sometimes nothing will come easy and everything will feel like pulling teeth. However, if nothing else, starting over will cause you to step out of your comfort zone and find a little more about yourself and your true character. And walking through that kind of experience, is invaluable.

I wish you a happy and peaceful 2016. May the best year yet be upon you!

Life Lessons and Such.

Hi!
 
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristen Nannini, author of No Man Sam, and soon-to-be author of a Young Adult trilogy which is currently nameless. :) I love to write, to reach people, to go to the beach, and to play with my rescue puppy, and hang out with my husband. Although I'm new to blogging, I'm also new to going to the gym and I'm hoping both new things in my life work out as favorably as those I've been doing for some time. Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I've tried this blog thing once before and didn't succeed. Now, like the gym, I feel I'm up for a challenge!
 
I wanted to come up with a list of things I've learned, and re-learned over the past several years. I think it helps to look at where I'm at now, versus where I've been and the lessons that have been learned along the way. I believe the past has a tendency to repeat and these lessons have proved beneficial to me, so hopefully this list will be helpful to someone else. I'm sure many might disagree with some of the statements below. If you disagree, feel free to comment. I would love to hear your opinions. I just hope something on this list hits home for someone. Hopefully what I've learned in my time on this earth will help someone else :)
 
1. True forgiveness takes a gargantuan amount of courage.
2. Love is all around us, as is God.
3. Taking time to figure out what someone else is thinking is useless. Just ask or move on.
4. Sometimes we hurt others unintentionally. If every possible effort has been made to mend fences, we must move on. Hurt feelings are valid, but if there is no sense of forgiveness or acceptance of remorse, moving on is the only option we have.
5. It is much easier to forgive an enemy than it is to forgive a friend.
6. Communication is the key to living harmoniously. If we close the door, there is no way for new ideas to flow, bridges to be built, or relationships to be strengthened.
7. When life gives you lemons and you've no where to turn, figure out how to get yourself out and then tell/write about it. Someone else will be in that same place in the future.
8. Just saying hello and checking in with someone on your mind can mean all the difference in the world.  
9. Hindsight is always 20/20 but if we choose to live in the past, we will never be able to live for today.
10. Love is an amazing thing. It grows and changes and sometimes seems to take on a life of its own. When someone seems to deserve love the least, that's usually when they need it the most.
11. Change is never easy, but it's inevitable. Embrace it and grow from it and you will never feel forced into anything.
12. Money is a vicious and lovely thing. Spend it wisely and be wise and save some too. You can never be too wise when it comes to money, but it's easy to become too careless. Take care of your money so you can take care of yourself.
13. Growing plants takes time and love. Growing weeds takes inaction.
14. Sometimes it's better to listen to someone who you believe is wrong than take the energy to prove them wrong. Sometimes people just need to be heard with no judgment.
15. Music is an awesome thing. It can raise you up or bring you down so many levels. Choose your music wisely.
16. Enemies are only yours when you choose to create them. Regardless of who you believe is your enemy, treat them with kindness and love. You may one day make a friend, but at the very least, will have no hate in your heart to consume you.
17. Respect is something that should always be given blindly. A homeless man deserves as much respect as a business man. I guarantee the homeless man will appreciate it more. Never take someone else's respect for granted. It is so easily lost.
18. Always put yourself in someone else's shoes. In most cases, I'm very grateful and thankful to be stepping back into mine. Appreciate every gift you have regardless of how small or insignificant that may seem.
19. Freedom is something we should never, ever take for granted.
20. Sometimes when bad things turn out exactly as you expected, it sucks to be right. At the same time it's an excellent opportunity to reflect on what you've learned. Maybe it warrants expecting something different/better.
21. Drunk driving is a horrible thing which often affects people who don't drive drunk or drink very little themselves. If you have a friend or family member that needs help, getting them that help could save an untold amount of innocent lives.
22. People aren't perfect. They make mistakes and screw things up. You are no better or worse than said "people". We are all beautifully and perfectly imperfect.
23. Sometimes there is nothing you can do or say to foster forgiveness. Then again, maybe the friendship was a farce in the first place or not worth the effort you applied.
24. Life ebbs and flows. It's always changing and never constant. Appreciate every sunrise and what God has given you.
25. Having the change to reach people through books is an amazing and powerful thing!
26. Growing older doesn't hurt.
27. Growing wiser is a blessing.
28. We are the creators of our own destinies. Take hold of what you love and never let go, regardless of what anyone thinks.
29. Great courage and resilience can often be found in a person who actively chooses to remain silent.
30.  Puppies are incredible creatures. It is a joy and a privilege to have one.

One pooped puppy :)

Thanks for visiting. Have an incredible day!