Lesson #7 - Take Care Of Your Teeth

We learn this from a young age. It is shoved down our throats (sometimes literally) to brush our teeth multiple times a day. Floss. Use mouthwash. Get braces. Get regular check-ups.

It isn't until you are an adult that it truly sinks in how important all that really is.

Especially, if you work for a country radio station.

There are a lot of people who didn't take all that brushing to heart (thankfully, I was always scared to death of cavities and gum disease).

Teeth are something that I'm 100% vain about. I admit it. Smiles/teeth are the #1 thing I notice on a guy. Bad teeth is a deal breaker for me.

So, that is my lesson this Monday. 

Take Care Of Your Teeth.

Lesson #6 - Sometimes, Choose No Plans

A couple weeks ago, I was looking at a weekend of nothing to do. Originally, my immediate thought was, "Oh, man. What am I going to do this weekend?!"

Then, it hit me...... Nothing.

With the exception of going out to eat on Saturday, I don't think I left the house. In fact, I stayed in my PJs most of the weekend.

The six weekends before that? Packed.

Every weekend since and going until mid-November? Packed.

Why I had an instant rush to fill up my time is beyond me, but I'm glad I did take the opportunity to just veg out.

Sometimes, it is A-ok to choose to have no plans.

Lesson #5 - Trust Your Instincts

I have pretty good instincts. Usually, if there is something nagging in the back of my head, it will turn out to be right.

Let's just take TG, for example. For the past few months, I got the feeling that he was probably seeing someone, but just wasn't saying anything. I know his patterns, so I figured that if it got serious enough, I'd eventually find out. It turns out that I was right, just I never would have guessed what was really going on.

Another time, a close family friend was dating a guy that I just.did.not.like. I mean, I loathed this guy and had absolutely NO reason. To the point that other people thought I was being completely rude and unreasonable. I very rarely cannot stand someone. And, even less am I unable to hide my contempt. About 99% of the time, even if I'm not super fond of a person, I can try to find at least one thing appealing and then tolerate them on that level. But, not this guy. He is one of a handful in my life that I was downright hostile towards. A few months later, we found out that this guy had a HORRIBLE past and was worse than I could have imagined.

This happens a lot, in big or little situations. I will have suspicions or surmise something that I really have no proof about. A lot of times, I won't even say anything to anyone because I fear I'll come off as a crazy person. There are times that I will mention it to a close friend/family, but it's like I will feel the need to list off all these reasons for thinking it..... when, really, it's just my gut.

I don't always end up being right, but I've got a pretty good accuracy rate. I think we all tend to. Our instincts.... our gut feelings.... they are there for a reason. I think God puts it there for a reason.

Trust your instincts and yourself.

Lesson #4 - Cravings Are Real

So, I mentioned that I participated in the Advocare 24-Day Challenge. I lost apprx 10 lbs, pre-cruise in the 24 days.

I say "approx" because I'm now in THAT time, so weighing myself the past few days has been futile.

Which brings me to my lesson....... Cravings are a real thing. I know we sometimes abuse the idea of having a food craving, but it is real.

The past 3 1/2 weeks, I've basically craved nothing. Like, I knew I would like it if I was eating it, but I wasn't consumed with a desire for any particular food item. In fact, this past Sunday, several family members were eating ice cream in front of me and I was fine with it. I didn't feel like I was depriving myself.

Then, last night happened.

I was overwhelmed with a STRONG need for pizza and ice cream. Like, I may have shot someone if I didn't have it. So, I ate two slices of pizza and 3 oz of ice cream (I know it was 3 oz because it was in one of those little cups). That fed the craving and I was fine.

I started this morning (TMI) and another one hit me. At lunch. I *needed* PB Pie FroYo. Thankfully, I was able to get it (again, a very small serving) and now I'm ok.

My point? Our hormones do cause our bodies to overtake our brain, at times.

So, the next time a guy tried to tell you that you are imagining things, you just tell him I said it was true.

Lesson #3 - Groom Your Eyebrows

Seeing as I have been all dark and twisty the past week, I'm going for one of those "lighter" lessons today.

Eyebrows. Unless you have NATURALLY pencil-thin, beautifully shaped eyebrows, they need to be groomed.

I've been getting mine waxed for years, but I'm honestly not as regular about it as I should be. Like now.... I got my eyebrows waxed right before my cruise (a month ago) and haven't since. Now? They are some scary beasts.

Here's a funny story for you..... Several years ago, my cousin Heidi was visiting all by herself and we went to get our nails done. The lady that does my nails and eyebrows spent the entire manicure trying to convince Heidi to get hers waxed. Heidi wanted no part of it and was slightly offended that the lady was so adamant.

Then, a couple months later, she calls me and says, "So, I decided on a whim to try waxing my eyebrows. That lady was right. I needed it. Badly. What was I thinking to wait so long?"

So, that is my lesson for the day. Make sure your eyebrows are groomed. It does wonders for your face.

Lesson #2 - Love is Limitless

I haven't yet felt the love of a mother to a child or the love that two people feel when they commit their lives to one another. However, I think it's safe to say that I love deeply. Even without having the aforementioned love situations, I have people in my life that I just love without limit.

It can be a great thing, but it can also drain you. What I'm starting to learn is that you just have to love and not worry about how the other person responds. I'm not talking about going crazy or smothering or anything like that.... I just mean, you have to love them and just be. You can't help how much you love them and you can't help how much they do/don't return the feelings.

No matter what, you don't let them punish you for it and you don't punish yourself.

Lesson #1 - Speaking Up

 There have been several times in the past few years that I've written about this. Usually, it is when I have finally gotten the courage to admit my feelings to the current boy (well.... really, there have been two The Guy and Fun Distraction). But, I've also talked about how I tend to keep things in.

I'm afraid to say something I will regret..... I'll regret the consequences..... So, I just keep silent.

Then, I end up regretting NOT saying what I was truly feeling. Because, we cannot hold other people accountable for things they didn't know.

In the end, I may be sad about the other person's reaction/actions, but I never end up sorry that I said something. Because, I was truthful.... and, in that moment, 100% me.

I've learned to speak up, but not in anger. Stay above the belt. Say your feelings, but don't be mean. Be firm, but loving.

It's all a hard line to tow, but I'm getting better at it. Whether at work or with friends or with family or with the Customer Service rep at zazzle.com...... I'm slowly getting better at voicing my thoughts on a situation.

This weekend, TG.... who still hasn't addressed the 38 week elephant in the room (oh, yeah, that is right.... apparently, he's going to be a Daddy sometime around Oct 12th...... yes, my anger and hurt was multiplied).... decided to be all cute on our personal FBs. After several hours of mulling it over (and, getting out the super sarcastic and nasty things I wanted to reply with), I settled on this.....

Beyond him replying, "Touche!!!" we still have spoken or texted. While I spoke up in that letter I wrote him such a long time ago, I just went ahead and started being his friend again without speaking up about how his silence for six months affected me.

At the very least, he now knows that while I *do* wish him well and I *do* still call him a friend, I'm not happy with him.

So, today's lesson is to "Speak Now."