I love learning. Figuring out how a certain cosmetic is made, learning the etymology behind a neat word, trying out a new cooking technique. One of the things I’ll always have a lot to learn about is life in general. Here’s some things I sorted out this year.
The photos for today’s post are from a hike Craig & I took up into the Bugaboos this summer.
Sometimes people will force you to do something unimportant just to prove that they can boss you around. They can be slimy and sweet about it, or a flat out asshole. Either way, you probably will not like it (or them). They will often do it under the guise of it being necessary, though you can clearly see that it is not. It turns out there isn’t usually much you can do about this. However, there is a good chance that if you just grin and bear it, people around you will start to notice their asshole-ish behaviour as well.
Sometimes being unhappy for no apparent reason just happens. Try to figure it out, read a few books, and reach out to your friends.
I need vacations, and I need them to be spread out over the year.
Winnipeg, Manitoba had the most per capita millionaires of any Canadian city in 1912.
I need to move somewhere warmer. Soon, too, before I freeze to the spot.
There’s something really lovely about going back to a place where everyone knows who you are by your last name.
If your favourite wine is sold in a box, that is ok (bottle snobs be damned).
If you’re going to force yourself into every situation and insist that everything goes through you, don’t get pissy when people start coming to you for approval and opinions on everything. Learn to delegate instead.
When the neighbourhood Chihuahua starts to howl, take it as an opportunity to laugh.
Force yourself to keep doing the things you love—nobody else will.
If somebody is shitting on you, chances are it’s because somebody else is shitting on them. All the same, it is not nice to be shat on, so talk it out if you can, and either way, ensure you don’t do the same to anyone else.
If you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, just get up and go. Otherwise, you will end up dreaming about waiting in line at a public restroom for the remainder of the night.
Try beers that have been aged in old Scotch casks. They are fantastic.
Own your mistakes, and admit your shortcomings. Nobody likes an ass who never admits their faults and acts like they are the best at absolutely everything. Plus, you’ll never learn anything from anyone if you always insist you already know everything.
Be the kind of person other people root for—be the good guy in the story of your life. If people are truly happy for you when you succeed, it’ll make your life a lot easier. Conversely, if you’re a giant arse and people are always watching and waiting for you to fail (and delighting in it when you do), well… that sucks. Don’t be the guy everyone wants to trip or you’ll probably find your life is oddly more difficult than it should be.
Do you have any pearls of wisdom you’d like to pass on? Comment!
I enjoy your outlook and have already learned a lot from your blog.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks & thanks for reading, Paula! Happy new year 🙂
Thanks so much for your pearls of wisdom. Well spoken!
Thanks, Beth 🙂
You rock! I love this roundup of lessons learned. Strangely, I have come to many of the same conclusions this year. My biggest lesson has been that life sucks when you give up on your dreams and we are never too old to find a new one. Like you, I love learning new things and I have learned a lot from you this year. I can’t wait to see what you teach me in the coming year.
Thanks so much, Jennifer 🙂 It’s funny how important our dreams are. I mean, it makes sense and all, but so many people seem to sacrifice them that it’s easy to think you can, too, and still be happy. I find it helps to have lots of dreams, big and small, so at least you’ve always got something you can achieve, and something to look forward to. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for all of your worderful recipes and helpful hints. I agree with all of your ‘learned’ experiences. I especially agree with the one on peeing. Been there, done that too many times and regretted it each time. 🙂
Happy New Year!
Ha! Thanks, Joan 😛 In my last such dream I was also a giant in the bathroom, so when I finally got to the front of the line I couldn’t even fit into the stall 😛 My brain is weird!
You are amazing wise for such a young person. love your outlook, and I can see if I had had the “guts” to do some of things you have suggested in my earlier life (82) , I would have had a much easier and perhaps happier life. thanks for all your wisdom, and wonderful recipes. Keep up the good work.
Aww, thank you, Helena 🙂 I hope to one day be very wise, but for now I am content to be a very devoted pupil of life. Thanks so much for reading!
What a great post!
Thanks, Julie 🙂
Life isn’t fair …..make the most of it !!! It isn’t easy to be happy ….you have to work at making yourself happy !!!! It’s easy to be miserable !
Life is short ….take it by the horns and be happy !!
Great tips, thanks for sharing Judith!
I found this from a website that really hit home for me….”Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don’t like something, you have two choices, accept it or change it.”
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11973/20-things-to-let-go-of-before-the-new-year.html
I love this—thanks for sharing, Annie 🙂
I’ve learned that sometimes the “Best Laid Plans” fall through, and that’s ok. Nothing to get worked up over, chances are that the universe has something better in mind for you.
A fantastic tip—thanks, Penguchan 🙂
Long ago outside toilets had a nail and squares of toilet paper skewered to the nail.
Whence comes the expresion “today news is tomorrow’s toilet paper.
Always remember what we worry about today might not look so worriesome tomorrow.
A fantastic life lesson, George 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Marie: I love your website. Just remember this small token of wisdom: all worry is unnecesry. Each day brings you a chance to start over again. If you don’t pray, try it. It really does work. Bless all the people in your life. Every thing that happens is an opportunity to feel good. If someone is mean-spirited it’s on them, not you. You rise above the shallow, ignorant people in this world and take a moment to just smile knowing you are no of they’re hostility. You are a child of God and all God’s children love and persevere. May all your dreams come true in 2014.
A new friend, Sweet Marie as my friends call me.
Thanks for these lovely words, Mary 🙂 My grandpa used to call me Sweet Marie, remembering hearing him say it always brings a smile to my face.
I’ve enjoyed your blog this year, your wrap up speaks volumes! You have also given me the courage to start blogging. 2014 is the year I stop thinking about blogging and just do it! I look forward to your future post! Happy New Years from Sunny California!
Thanks so much, Ronda 🙂 And thanks for reading! I look forward to checking out your blog when it is up and running.
I enjoy reading your posts. You post so many good ideas to try. I really wish this post would have had a *bad language* warning. I was disappointed with the choice to add coarse words. It took away some of the wonderful charm that your posts typically carry. Looking forward to more positive posts in the New Year.
Thank you for your feedback, Brenda.
Hi Marie,
I know you do not need anyone to apologise for your “course words”. If I thought your language was “blue” and as a soap-maker I would have told you to wash your ballpoint with a good quality soap. As they say here in South Africa people must lighten up. Love your blog and the way you express yourself.
George.
Hahaha, thanks George! I do find that taking offence is very much a cultural thing—some bits of language that had me appalled in Australia (a certain “c” word…) were simply casual conversational terms there 😛
Beautiful pictures!
Happy New Year!
🙂
Great insights! I found myself nodding along with just about everything you wrote, and laughed out loud at the public restroom one! For some reason, my recurring version of the dream involves a giant round restroom where none of the stalls have doors that close. Eeek!
One insight I recently heard which stuck with me was to remember that everyone you will ever meet knows something that you don’t. It’s a good reminder for me to find something to appreciate about each person who crosses my path.
Thanks once again for your lovely blog!
Thanks, Rebecca! Your restroom dream sounds hilarious, lol, though it wouldn’t work on me as I’ll just hold the door shut with my foot or scream at intruders in a pinch haha 😛
Your insight is a great one—even coworkers or plane seat-mates you may clash with can teach you something… even if it’s just something about yourself and how much better your patience is than you’d previously thought 😉
Thanks for reading!