Something more...

[knightfan26917]

*

WORD MATH:

Not having enough energy + drugs = too much thinking time

My energy level is starting to increase (as evidenced by a 3-day stretch where I had 2 days of "Nephew Time" and 1 day "out" at my Aunt/Uncle's house for the midday hours), so I can HOPEFULLY get a few things done soon, before I go to work in about a month. Which also means ... less "online" time.

It's not good to wonder "what if" OR torture oneself with "if I only knew then what I know now" OR consider what you might do given a "do over" chance. Yet, sometimes the mind just wanders to those ... and it's hard to stop it, particularly when the drugs are doing most of the talking. I don't have any regrets, per se, though I could name things I'd do differently or just DO, for that matter, if given the opportunity. AND, it's NO secret that I'm unhappy with the financial strain my health issues have me in, perhaps for my entire life, but I do the best I can....

One of the more frustrating questions an interviewer asks is, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" I've no idea. I'm not even where I'd thought I'd be when I envisioned my life 10 years down the road, back when I was in college, some 15 years ago now. Irony rocks!

Even though my life isn't like I thought it'd be by this age, perhaps I'm where I'm supposed to be. But, that isn't much comfort when I look at the lives of my peers and see how much "farther" along they are, than I am. But, maybe we are all just as far along as each other ... just taking different paths. That sounds better, at least.

I know (and have been "preaching") that LIFE IS TOO SHORT, but even I lose sight of that sometimes. I have so much on my list of WANT TO DOs, but not enough time OR energy OR money to actually DO all, let alone some, of that list ... a very frustrating situation. And, that doesn't include hopes and dreams....

Also ... now that my "big heart" is gone ... I'm not taking crap from companies OR people, especially companies.

Flame wars? Life is too short, or is that not through your THICK SKULLS yet?

Untruthful slogans? We have laws against false advertising, so why aren't slogans included?

IGNORED technicalities and facts are NOT acceptable, either. And, yes, we DID start the fire....

Who knows what life will cook up next. I'll just keep moving along as best as possible, hopefully traveling the road less taken while laughing and having "too much fun" along the way. How about you?

FEW MORE QUOTES:

"You roll with the bad, you savor the good. It is the waiting that is the hardest part."

"With so much stress and hurry in the world, smiles and kindnesses go a long way."

"Happiness looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is."

"We must slow down to a human tempo, and we’ll begin to have time to listen."

"You begin to move mountains when you start carrying away small stones."

"The best/most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched; they must be felt within the heart."

"Don't spend so much time trying to choose the perfect opportunity, that you miss the right opportunity."

"You will never get ahead if you spend all your time trying to get even."

"Pressing harder on the remote when you know the battery is dead will not bring the battery back to life."

"Cherished happy moments make a fine cushion for old age."

"Everybody is nobody to somebody."

"I'm not sure if I have a clear conscience or a bad memory, or maybe the drugs are talking...."

"When something doesn't work out the way you thought/hoped, see it as something that went unexpectedly well, but for reasons that are not yet apparent."

"Winning does not always mean coming in first; real victory is arriving at the finish line with no regrets because you know you’ve gone all out."

"I'd bet, on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with alcohol instead of Kay."

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Maybe next year I'll give it to someone special" __ WHAM! __ 'Last Christmas'

[Turbojett]

Even though my life isn't like I thought it'd be by this age, perhaps I'm where I'm supposed to be. But, that isn't much comfort when I look at the lives of my peers and see how much "farther" along they are, than I am. But, maybe we are all just as far along as each other ... just taking different paths. That sounds better, at least.

Actually it's probably a better way to look at it. I sometimes find myself envious of how "sucessful" people I knew back in high school are now. Lawyers, doctors, businessmen, one's even trying to run for district judge in the county he lives in (different state, i think, but not sure where), and he's only 30. I didn't even know you could run for judgeship at 30!

I thought i could at least be looking at a design school by now, but financial contraints forced me to drop out of college after my sophomore year, and now I've been everything from a bank teller, to a starving artist* to a depressed drunk to a bartender and anything in between--except what i was aiming for.

But then I remember that everything happens for a reason, and maybe it's just life's way of making you stronger. You can meet your challenges and overcome them--and one at a time works better than all at once, believe me--all it takes is tenacity. Also remember that the social definition of sucess isn't the same as LIFE's definition of success. I was once told by one of my bosses--one of the rare ones that actually give a damn about you-- that "it's better to shoot for the stars and miss by a mile, than aim for a bucket of crap an hit it square on."

*which reminds me; the next Reaganite douche that tells me that "starving artists deserve to starve" needs a boot up his arse. Starving isn't a choice; it's one of the aforementioned challenges life throws at you. Most of the time those that starve don't necessarily deserve it.

"I'd bet, on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with alcohol instead of Kay."

had to laugh at this one. probably because it's true. who said this one?

[Turbojett]

another thing: I never considered myself the philisophical type, but apparently I am, probably moreso now with age, experience, hardships, et al.

[knightfan26917]

had to laugh at this one. probably because it's true. who said this one?

Unfortunately, I don't know. A friend forwarded it to me ... but it was "unknown" as to the author. lol

Sounds like you and I think alike, somewhat, at least ... glad to know I'm not the only one.

*

1 MORE QUOTE:

"Try to look at the optimistic side of life, but be realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter."

Those of us with chronic health issues and/or who've endured some type of surgery (open heart surgery, knee surgery, back surgery, etc.) know very well the difference a POSITIVE attitude can have for recovery/survival. Yet, we can lose sight of that at times, particularly when we're not feeling well or are frustrated with different aspect(s) of recovery or the financial strain or just feeling all alone. It's not always easy, and sometimes what others perceive as a "positive" attitude ... doesn't feel that way to us....

Some of what helps me keep things in perspective (including the SONG QUOTE in my sig below)...

...music

...road trips/meeting people

...writing:

Charging Forth...

http://www.motorgnomes.com/2011/03/charging-forth/

Sparks That Tie...

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/2011/04/15/sparks-that-tie/

Rt 66...

http://whenthegoingisgood.com/category/route66/

..."Nephew Time":

12/06/2011

10/2010

10/16/2011

11/05/2011

11/05/2011

..."Car Time":

L-R = 1979 Caprice Classic, 1972 MC, 1976 MC

L-R = 1979 MC, 1981 MC, 1987 MC

WHAT KEEPS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE FOR YOU?

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Happiness is something we create" __ Sugarland __ 'Something More'

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I do the same thing....

Hell, it took me 10 years to finish a double major.

But, life doesn't always go like a well planned, financial bliss (despite what most conservatives tell you) and I had to basically go part or even 1/4 time for a while to make ends meet.

But honestly... I look at it this way: As much as my OB-freakin'-SESSIVE INFJ personality pushes me to plan, plan PLAN! everything, I wouldn't change a damn thing about my life.

I've had a fantastic run so far, and I'd say I actually reached that point of 'mortality' a few years ago where I thought: "If I died right now, I'd be a happy man." as opposed to how I used to feel which was more: "You need to be at this point in the plan by this time, or you're failing." and I'd much rather EARN and appreciate the things I have than be handed stuff left and right.

I'm a pretty extreme personality and I've learned to accept that by practicing and preaching 'balance'. For all the negative energy that I crave, I MUST supplement that with positive energy; and it took me a while to accept that positive energy, and that displaying positivity is a GREAT thing (after going through a lot of bull$h! in life, it was VERY hard for me to be positive and still is at times)

So, for example, when I'm feeling depressed, I'll go take some pictures and just 'take in' the gift that is life... That way, the smallest thing, like a sunset or flower neutralizes my negativity. We are SO incredibly gifted a lot of times and tend to take that for granted (I know I certainly do).

"Pressing harder on the remote when you know the battery is dead will not bring the battery back to life."

I think this is probably my favorite.

Edited December 10, 2011 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Those of us with chronic health issues and/or who've endured some type of surgery (open heart surgery, knee surgery, back surgery, etc.) know very well the difference a POSITIVE attitude can have for recovery/survival. Yet, we can lose sight of that at times, particularly when we're not feeling well or are frustrated with different aspect(s) of recovery or the financial strain or just feeling all alone. It's not always easy, and sometimes what others perceive as a "positive" attitude ... doesn't feel that way to us....

I agree with this a lot...

I CONSTANTLY get the "why are you so pessimistic?" question... But to me, positivity is less the 'shiny, happy' vibe and more the 'endurance and tenacity' vibe.

Knowing that you've been through 3 major heart surgeries and you're still here kicking ass on the daily; THAT's positivity!!!

[Turbojett]

So, for example, when I'm feeling depressed, I'll go take some pictures and just 'take in' the gift that is life... That way, the smallest thing, like a sunset or flower neutralizes my negativity. We are SO incredibly gifted a lot of times and tend to take that for granted (I know I certainly do).

THAT is a brilliant idea. whenever you're feeling stressed out, just take a moment, stop and smell the roses, so to speak, and enjoy the fact that you're still alive to experience it.

That, I say is a good measure of success. I get to live another day.