Life Lesson: From Hater to Celebrator

I have never really like Valentines Day, well except for that one year when my parents got me a purple sparkly purse that I loved to death until it broke a week later.  Beyond that, VD has never gotten much love from me.  Until this year..........

I realize that being farther away from the people I am used to seeing on a regular basis has made me a bit more sappy.  Some might even say a lot more sappy.  But in any case, I have come to appreciate more the ability to tell the people I care about how much I care about them face-to-face.  I also appreciate the ability to have a day when I can go over the top (beyond my normal self) to tell the people I am far away from how I feel. 

I am a firm believer in the idea that when you care about someone you tell them often, but how great is it that there is a special day when you can go above and beyond and show them just how much they mean to you.  Even if it is just teasing your friend Abby about buying her flowers and having them delivered to her office just to show how much her friendship means to you. Valentines Day is the day that makes that joke acceptable and extra funny. 

And for those folks out there who aren't all into telling the people you care about just how much you care and on a regular basis, Valentines Day is a great day for them to go with the flow and let it all out.  All in all, I have gone from being a Valentine's Day hater to celebrator and all it took was a move to Louisville, Kentucky. Who'da thunk?

Life Lesson: The Non-Negotiables

I used to think people needed to fulfill a long list of requirements to be a part of my life. This has changed.  My standards have not lowered, but I have narrowed it down to what I feel is truly important.  Ready for this? You have to be a good person and be passionate about something.  That's it, folks. 

Seems broad, huh?  Well it is, but people are too complex to be shoved into a smaller box.  There are too many amazing people in this world who may not match up to all the criteria of a longer list.  I believe everyone in your life has something to teach you and something to share with you.  If you only allow people who fit into your perfect mold into your life then you are actually the one missing out.  You are missing out on incredible people and incredible experinces.

I am still very careful with who I let into my confidence and allow to see the real me, but at the core you have to be a good person and be passionate about something to be considered to get to that level.