First Lesson: Try to learn something from everyone you meet.
I was 24 when an older guy told me that. We were team driving cross country together. He told me that he tried to learn something from everyone he met, and that included me. At my young age and with only a high school education at the time, I didn't think I had much wisdom to impart. But I have since learned that teaching doesn't have to be a conscious, intentional thing. You can learn from people just by them being who they are and observing them.
I've been at a new job for just a couple of months. I have to work with a guy who has little patience for noobs. He likes for you to pick up everything the first time you are shown or told. I have to be shown how to do things more than once sometimes when learning a new job. He's only let his irritation really get the better of him one time in front of me and he got kind of nasty and sarcastic. This man is 41 years old and I know he is probably set in his ways. Since he won't be changing into a more patient person anytime soon, I've had to learn to deal with it. When he got pissy with me, I just let it go. I didn't get into it with him. I'm going to have to work with him for at least a year and I don't need it to be harder than it has to be.
Yeah, I guess that's kind of like turning the other cheek. I am not a religious person, but I think there is some wisdom in that old saying. I'm going to temper the idea by making it conditional. Don't be a door mat, but there are times when it is best just to take the hit and let it go. In the situation above, I had nothing to gain and a lot to lose if would have gotten into it with the guy.
Apparently, this guy has a lot on his mind from outside of work. I heard him arguing on the phone one time with his wife about their son's college expenses. It's costing him $800 a month plus tuition and board for his son to go to school. He thinks his son is wasting a lot of money and he doesn't work. So the guy is already pissed off every day before he even walks into work. There's another lesson. This guy is in good shape. He runs four miles every day after work. But at the rate he's going all that stress might cut him down young.
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I'm sorry you have to work with him, but as you observed, you can learn from him and the way he approaches life.
Oh, and by the way, I suspect his running four miles every day after work actually helps him handle the stress better than it would if he weren't running.
I like your idea about learning something from everyone you meet. I wonder what you learned from me...
Good seeing you tonight!
...what did I learn from Peggy? Hmmmm.
I learned to not be afraid to take a chance when it comes to self expression. I remember when you first started to post your poetry and stories on DU. I know you don't do that much anymore, that is, post that stuff on DU, but it was very inspiring when you did. I remember the controversial erotica you posted here one time. It got locked then unlocked. I thought that was great, and it took guts to put yourself out there like that.
Second shift, hey? OK. No wonder you're up so late!
Not being afraid of taking a chance on self expression. That's a good way to be. I remember the story you're talking about. That was a long time ago. I had a lot of fun writing it and all the good comments didn't hurt either!
