Stuff I've been learning lately:
- It is never wise to make any comment whatsoever about another person's weight. Even if you think you're giving a compliment... just don't do it. I say this not because I have embarrassed myself, but because I have been on the receiving end of questions which have been unintentionally hurtful. Such as... "Have you lost weight?". What?!? I mean, I know I could benefit from a little toning, but I have never been overweight... come ON! Even when I have commented about wanting to lose a few pounds, most people protest saying I don't need it and already look great. So if someone asks me if I've lost weight, does that mean they thought I was fat before? Especially considering I haven't lost any? It doesn't matter if they follow up their question with, "well, you look great!". It still insinuates that they had thought I was fat. What I have learned from these conversations is that there is no polite way to discuss someone else's weight with them, period, and the subject needs to be left alone.
- Don and I have both been trying to be more honest with each other and with others in our life. What a growth experience it has been for both of us! In the past I have gotten myself into too many uncomfortable situations with other people because I haven't spoken up about something that bothered me, or I did things out of obligation in spite of having no real interest in the task or event. There's a fine line between being selfish and being assertive, and I trust that God will give me wisdom in my choices. I just want to be real with people and honest with myself in ways that I previously haven't been faithful.
- Along the same line, I'm opting out of home parties where the main goal is to get you to spend money (Pampered Chef being the one exception because I actually do use the stuff). The only reason I've ever attended them is to have fun with the rest of the gals, but I am so tired of wasting money!! You can't attend one of those parties without feeling obligated to buy some overpriced trinket, in spite of whatever the hostess says about not having to fork over cash. (Or else you're labeled as a freeloader. Hmmmmm.) I have given myself permission to be a party pooper and stay home. And you know what? It feels really, really good to just be honest with myself, and to take better care of our money.
- I have concluded that I truly detest west Knoxville and Farragut. I have been seeing more and more lately from people on "that side of town" that just turns my stomach. Even in my job... I am on each side of the county twice a month. Guess where the disrespectful, entitled, spoiled brat attitudes are? And this latest business on the west Knoxville school rezoning? Ooooooooh, I have never heard so much whining about how THEIR children deserve the best schools in the county and THEIR property values are going to go down if they're rezoned and THEIR children should not have to change schools because THEY don't want to. Please. I will never, ever live there, and I am determined more than ever to keep my shopping dollars on this end of the county.
- I have learned also that it's OK to be a tree-hugger. I used to think those people were a bit nuts, until somehow I started agreeing with them. I used to think that the planet's going to hell in a handbasket anyway, and whatever I did was not going to make any difference. The attitude shift that I have had is that I know I cannot solve environmental problems, but I don't have to exacerbate them. I still have a long way to go with consistency between my thoughts and actions, but now I enjoy recycling most of our trash and conserving energy. Don's really influenced me on these issues... I'm now curious about animal testing and research. To me, this is all a natural outpouring of my love for God and appreciation for the earth He's created for us. It's about good stewardship.
I like getting older and growing wiser. :)
