Monday, March 23, 2015

Final Week: What I learned

So, this is it.  The final week.  What gets done will get done, and what is left behind will be left behind.   I will have tried my best and everyone will manage, the way we always have.

To keep myself from being too frustrated, I thought I would end this week with a What I learned segment - putting to practice the healing power of gratitude.  

Here is some of what I will take away that can be transferred, and hopefully helpful) to anyone, anywhere:

>  Humans possess an uncanny ability to rationalize.  The majority of the human population aren't born psychopaths and most of the time that people get themselves into trouble it isn't because of their intent to do malice.  Instead, their ability to rationalize gets the better of them.   (I learned this from an expert brought in to talk to us about insider trading but his message can be applied so far beyond finance).   Look for ways we all rationalize our behavior in relationships, as parents, as humans and stop yourself before it gets harmful.

>  Everyone possesses the potential to help you.  Do not limit your good deeds, your smiles, your "how are you?" to people that you deem "important".  Befriend the woman who cleans the office at the end of the day, the guy who manages the parking garage.   People have value and worth beyond their title.  You just might need a favor....like a held spot on the morning you're running late!

>  Einstein defines insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  If you're not satisfied with an outcome or a relationship, save yourself the aggravation of continuing to put the same strategies into place that have clearly not been working.  Attempt to solve the problem a different way, ask for help or listen to someone else's perspective, take a step away from it and revisit it with a clear mind, change the way you think about it and when all else fails - walk away.....

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