1. You are reactive and not proactive
You fail to anticipate things and end up putting out fires instead of planting seeds. The future isn't promised to any of us, but we should learn from out past and be able to clearly foresee certain outcomes. If your tire pressure has been low for two weeks, are you really surprised you're stuck on the highway at midnight waiting for the tow truck? Take responsibility for your actions. Plan, but don't commit to just one way of doing things. Remember that flexibility, fluidity, and change are positive (and useful) words in your life!
2. You are incapable of parking within the lines
At what point did you think that taking up two spaces to park your seedy South Beach weekend rental was okay? It's not. Ever.
3. You are are a chronic late arrivee...
Early is on time and on time is late. You can blame my high school band director for that one. This one really boils down to respect. When you are late to meet a friend - whether you've known them for a week or ten years - you are basically saying, hey... I just don't really value your time and think that it is okay to waste it. Reasons are unimportant and we all have them (good ones!). Don't make appointments you cannot keep and remember that a simple 30-second phone call as soon as you realize you will be late is greatly appreciated.
4. You purchase 27 items at the express lane
I get it... question authority, rage against the machine, down with the man! All very valid arguments (not), but can you please do so after I pay for this single half gallon of milk? Respect, remember?
5. You love stuff and always want more
I had a friend tell me the other day that he would like to live like a snail - carrying all he needs on his back. I really love that visual! Stuff is transient. We'll always want bigger, better, faster, the latest model of everything. For what? That quick, momentary pleasure and possible ego stroke? It's so fleeting and useless... Aspire for experiences instead. Travel and learn and never sit in a crowded room thinking you'd like to do all of that but... what do I do with all my stuff? Live simply.
6. You are unequivocally, comfortably, (and tragically) NOT curious
Question the meaning of everything and gain a thirst for knowledge. There are people out there who are fully opposed to the way you think, and they in fact live wonderful, harmonious, incredibly great lives! Go figure, eh? Learn their ideas and be able to argue reasonably, respectfully, and coherently. Travel and experience culture. Eat something you never thought you would. Sit quietly on a mountain and think and think and think some more until you actually hear what the breeze is saying... (you're just going to have to trust me on that one!). Read and become an expert on something. Anything! This is how we grow, this is how we create, this is what drives our existence forward. Complacency and indifference have a place within us, but don't let them be the guiding force in your life. Explore!
Pics via vi.sualize.com
You wrote all this? No it wouldn't surprise me, but this really should be an article. It's quite yummy.
I'm infinitely, dangerously, insatiably curious; mostly about people who intrigue me. If I die I want it to be because my curiosity got the better of me.
Hmm, I think I'll use that. =)
xo
I wrote most of it on my iphone at the doctor's office this morning. I met the most "uncurious" person the other day, then I did a series of stupidities that could've been easily avoided, then got stuck behind someone at the supermarket who was in the WRONG damn lane and so I thought... I really need to write this stuff down!
Glad you likey!!!! And yes - don't ever ever ever give up that curiosity. And curiosity about ourselves, too. THAT one I know you like to explore. Good stuff:)))
Yummy! I like yummy!
This is great... but do you follow this advice?
YES... I always aim to. I think we all fall off the wagon, but awareness is the key. When I fall off, I know I'm off and I know I need to do something about it. Although I suck at parking and THAT may be incurable.
All good advice in this, and I aim to follow it all. Especially not abusing the express lane! It's all about respect!
Good! I think we all should... the hardest one is keeping "stuff" down to a minimum. I'm really really really trying...!
Good list. I like timeliness the best. Our band director was good to us, even if he was a prick half the time.
I think being too ambitious can also cost us. This is related to the love of stuff. Obsession with progress, with career moves, job titles, salary ranges... yes, it can help solve one class of problems, but it can also introduce others, not the least of which is: Why all the toil and trouble in the first place? They're missing out of the very life they've expensed to move forward. Silly, when you think about it.
Living life is all about living, and holding on to these precious moments as they fly by us so fast. The rest is just for decoration.
PS - You know most spammers are bots that don't read english, right? :)
Loved this! All your points are spot on. I couldn't help but laugh at the first one, though. For a moment I thought you were talking about me!
I just had a HUGE conversation with my 23 year old cousin about being proactive vs reactive a couple weeks ago. After telling him several times to put air in my car's tire, it blew out around midnight on I-95 while he was driving it. A $0.75 quick fix ended up costing him $50 and now he has to walk everywhere because I won't lend him my car for being careless.
Dany - Our director was a world class a-hole... as a teacher, I know that now. But the man was incredibly talented and timeliness was one of the many lessons I never forgot! And I'm all for holding on to precious moments - all we can really keep are our memories, right? And even then... they're so fleeting. Ugh - the irony.
And thanks for the spammer insight. It's so annoying!!! ;-p
Hi Karinita! That's so funny! I had a tire explode on the highway as well and it should've been avoided. Thank goodness FL has the road rangers that come to save the day and help a damsel in distress... the guy did tell me, however, that I popped a tire right smack on one of the THE most dangerous highways in the country and that I was lucky that nothing happened to anyone. I was soooo thankful and felt soooo stupid ;-/