Today's lesson is on how to act like the grownup you are. Pay attention, people. Chances are this applies to you. I myself am often guilty. By following these simple rules, you can act your age...not your shoe size. (You Prince fans will get the reference. Just a side note, that line comes from one of my favorite songs EVER.)
1. If you have a PERSONAL problem with a person with whom you work in a PROFESSIONAL capacity, separate the two. Simple as that. Be professional and mature in your workplace. There's a reason toddlers are not allowed to hold jobs.
2. When dealing with a group of adults whose sole purpose in life seems to be to tear down others, don't join in. That seems pretty self-explanatory, yet so many of us do it to "look cool". We're not in high school anymore. There may still be cliques and various social groups in adulthood, but we don't have to participate. The adult world is so much bigger than the high school world.
3. Some people are just plain stupid. There's no tactful way to explain that. Whether they were dropped on their heads as babies or they are just a few colors short of a full crayon box, they're here. Deal with it. They're not going anywhere. Smile, nod, say, "Bless your heart", and move on.
4. I once read a quote, and I can't remember who said it or where it came from or exactly the right wording. It was something about how some people are in your lives for a novel while others are only short stories. The point is, we learn something from each and every one of them. It's okay to grieve when someone is no longer present in your life, but then you have to get over it and appreciate the ones who still are. Just make sure the mistakes teach you something.
5. You don't have to do something just because somebody tells you to. Period.
6. Your children are exactly that. Your children. You are the grownup. Stop letting them run all over you and dictate your life and your decisions. You look like a dumbass who has no control over his or her own children.
7. Life sucks sometimes. It's part of growing up. Accept it and figure out how to change the suckiness you can. Otherwise, suck it up. Refer to the Serenity Prayer if you need help. You know, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Those addiction support groups really hit pay dirt with that one.
8. Life is too short to spend it being miserable. Whether you hate your job, you're in a crappy relationship, you have a friend who isn't really a friend, or whatever else makes you unhappy, you can change it. Be as happy as you can in the time you are given. After all, who knows how much time each of us is given?
9. Don't let people cut you down or talk to you like you're a child. You're an adult, and part of what goes with that is being able to stand up for yourself. In a grownup way of course. We'd all love to throw ourselves on the ground and throw a tantrum worthy of the most unruly toddler. Don't do it. Stay calm and assert your worth.
10. Pardon the French...shit happens. Every. Single. Day. You may not always get to choose the shit that's flung at you, but you can choose how you deal with it. You get to choose with whom you surround yourself. You get to choose every step you take and every decision you make. Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait to grow up and do all the great things that went along with that? Now remember when you realized how stupid that was? We can't go back to our childhoods. We make the most we can with what we have. Remember the great things about being grown up. Remind yourself of one of those every day, then go be the best, smartest, happiest grownup you can be.
I need to remember these lessons myself constantly. I'm more guilty of some than others. The point is, stop acting like a child if you're not one. It makes you look petty and immature and downright dumb sometimes.
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