Tumbleweed

Growing up, I attended a different school every year, sometimes moving two or three times in the same grade, sometimes within the same town but more often in a different city or state. Answering that ice-breaker question, "where are you from?" proves to be a little difficult. I guess I'm a bit of a tumbleweed. And it’s had a lasting impact on how I connect with others, both in life and in writing.

Here’s what it’s taught me:

1.      Be kind. To everyone. Not because they may be able to help you out some day through LinkedIn or Facebook, but because you never know what challenges people are battling or what lessons they will teach you. And everyone has something to teach.

2.      Don’t assume anything. I detest good ol’ boys networks, cliques and clichés…because they’re based on assumptions that are most often completely wrong. Besides, everyone knows what happens to our hind sides when one assumes.

3.      Everything is relative. “Cool” all depends on your vantage point. Prom queens and straight-A students and band geeks and football players don’t have a corner on anything. They’ll always be a winner to some people and a loser to others. It’s best just to follow your natural path and your passion. Not what’s popular. Because that’s relative, too.

4.      Simplicity is good. Curiosity is delightful. Chocolate is delicious.

5.      Don’t get intimidated. Everyone is stupid about some things and smart about other things.  Don’t let that prevent you from asking questions, making observations and looking stupid.

6.      Things don’t always start at the beginning. Sometimes there’s no end. Life is about starting, transitioning, struggling, triumphing, belly laughing.

7.      Some people are gifted. Most aren’t. But we’re all trying.

8.      Belly laughs bring out the best in everyone.  Try to be the person who brings out the best in everyone.