Ten things I learned during my 48th year on earth

Every year, during my birth month, I try to reflect and remember the things I have learned during the past year.

This is my list this year:

1. Being intelligent doesn't make you strong.

2. It takes a lot of strength to hold on to faith.

3. All relationships begin and end with one person: YOURSELF.

4. The true definition of patience is endurance beyond your self-perceived ability to endure.

5. Bullies are people who really ARE insecure.

6. When being defensive doesn't work, go on the offensive -- it confuses the opposition.

7. The only TRUE way to earn respect is to respect others even when they are unworthy of it.

8. You can't control life when it hits you in the head. You can only embrace the intertube, ride the river and learn to enjoy the ride.

9. Good memories tomorrow only happen because of great attitudes about bad things that happen to you today.

10. Negativity is repulsive.

Speaking on Division:

I have long ago stopped caring whether people like me for who I am, for what I believe and what I stand for anymore. I have made it a point not to try to win others to MY way of thinking, but rather, to educate them so that they can know what it is THEY stand for. I present what I know and why I feel the way I do, and if they don't -- oh well. They can stay ignorant. I'm not. That's all that matters.

To thine own self be true...and if others come to know you, they will understand that if that is true about you, then to them you have no choice but to be true, also.

If they attack me, I shake the dust from my sandals and walk on. I don't have to listen to or put up with anyone ridiculing me, bullying me or chastising me for what I stand for and what I believe to be true. I just have to keep believing it, because I know WHY I believe it. If others don't believe it, and wish to stand on the other side of the issue, that is well and good. I will allow them to, so long as they are not attacking me, and so long as they STAY on their side of the line.

If we must communicate, I expect to be respected in spite of their beliefs, not because of mine, because I do my best to respect others who believe differently in spite of what I believe, not because they believe the way they do.

30 Year High School Reunion, Hooks Class of '87

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a lot of my classmates tonight. Not all of them were at the game, but a lot more will show their face tomorrow night at the Silver Star. I am looking forward to that.

I tell ya, though. Nothing makes you feel as old as seeing faces that you don't even recognize any more, and then hearing their names and remembering. Even when everyone was telling everyone else, "watch your step, don't break your hip!" LOL

To be honest, none of them look like it has been 30 years. Even my High School English Teacher that I was so sure would be retiring soon didn't look more than a year or two older, and she is still teaching! It was amazing to see her!

Am I really that old? or was I really ever that young? You be the judge.

Later after meeting at the Silver Star Saloon and Banquet Hall:

I had an AWESOME time at the class reunion. I talked to a LOT of people and hugged a LOT of people and played 1987 Trivia (I only got 8 out of 18 right...it's been too long) and ate chips, dip, cupcakes and pulled pork with au graten potatoes and armadillo eggs.

When I went to pay my ticket (which was about $30), the server gave me my money back and said, "Your ticket has already been paid." I said, "By WHO?" She said, "I'm not allowed to tell you that..." Soooo, whoever paid for my ticket, THANK YOU!

I guess I'll be seeing you all in ten years!