When we are young and inexperienced we think we know absolutely everything! And nobody should dare try to convince us that we don’t. We especially know more than the grownups (teachers, parents, clergy, doctors, police) who are trying to impart their knowledge to us. And I never realized how much actual adults knew until I became a parent myself and had the aha! moment of being silenced by the next generation.
The truth is that for some things, no matter how many people school you or warn you or try to give you good advice, you need to have your very own “touch the stove” moment to understand certain facts about life. Having lived more than five decades already, I know a thing or two about a thing or two. Here are some thoughts…
For starters, time is not your friend. You can’t bargain with time. It is never a negotiation. The ticking clock does not stop. There are only so many hours in the day and if you burn yourself out, stay up too late, don’t get enough sleep, oversleep, or jam pack your schedule so tight that you’re going from thing to thing to thing, you’re definitely signing up for trouble that could have been avoided. Life is long and complicated. Pace yourself. If you’ve slept through an alarm that you swear never went off, missed a flight because you cut it too close at security, or double booked yourself, honey, you’ve touched the hot stove.
If you bite off more than you can chew, don’t be surprised if you end up talking with your mouth full. Being ambitious and taking on big projects or filling up your plate with lots of responsibility is terrific, as long as you can still successfully manage. If you over commit and can’t handle the workload, you’re affecting not just yourself but the others who are counting on you. It’s so so SO much better to underpromise and overdeliver, especially when you’re proud of your effort and the results. It’s always best to chew with your mouth closed anyway, right?
Bring an umbrella if the forecast calls for rain. Don’t get stuck while you’re out during a crazy downpour when the weatherman warned you that it was going to rain. Soggy in workwear is never a good look, especially for your hairdo. Drag the damn parasol with you. And in that vein, evacuate when the folks in charge of evacuations tell you to get out of dodge. Don’t put rescue workers in danger just to save your stubborn keister. Mother Nature has her shit together. Why play chicken with her?
Plan for extra time in traffic to ensure you’re timely to a concert, sporting event or show. Pack extra socks on a ski trip in case yours get wet. Carry Band-aids if you’re sporting new shoes. And wear a jacket even if your outfit is better without a covering. Freezing in winter just to show off a new hoodie/shirt/blouse will leave you miserable and shivering. Always carry emergency cash. True that you may never need it but in the event that you do, you understand the term emergency cash.
Baking chocolate is indeed bitter. Try not to eat it. Don’t play with fire. You could definitely get burned. Once is an accident. Twice is a pattern. Be wise to other people’s behaviors. If they mess with you a third time, you should have seen it coming. If you don’t know, ask! Don’t assume. And for Pete’s sake, don’t touch a hot stove.
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