". . . little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver . . ."

(William Shakespeare's Othello, I.iii.88-90)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Things I Learned (or Relearned) in 2012

It is the time for taking stock, no? Here are some of my random thoughts about 2012--either things I learned or things I was freshly reminded of.

That thing you think is impossible? That you would never in a million years have believed could happen? It can happen.

If you think you can safely predict where you will be and what you will be doing at this time next year, think again.

The human capacity for self-deception and rationalization is truly unlimited. (I include myself in the category "human," by the way.)

The things that people say are often not the things they believe but rather the things they are trying to convince themselves to believe.

If someone is mean on the internet, he will be mean in person.

If someone is mean to others, he will be mean to you.

You find out who truly cares about you when you become less useful and more inconvenient.

Your gut instinct is more reliable than you know.

How people behave around children says a lot about their character.

The best way to salvage a relationship is in person, not writing.

Ninety-nine percent of internet debate is a waste of time.

I am happier when I don't watch, read or listen to the news.

You can't make someone care about you.

God takes care of His children. 

2 comments:

Susan said...

Some lessons are things we would prefer NOT to learn, to go on instead in blissful ignorance, not seeing the evil.

Cheryl said...

Indeed! That's that self-deception and rationalization I wrote of.