Thursday, June 6, 2013

A certain point of view

So much of our lives depends on our point of view. It makes such an impact that we don't even see it in ourselves. Yet it is there. Today I had lunch with the girls I used to work with. These people were a huge part of my life for a long time, and we stuck together through a very unhealthy work environment. Emotionally and physically, the work we did was very hard to face everyday. But we pulled together and faced it united. We did our best to hang on so that we wouldn't let each other down. 3 of the 5 of us have moved on and found other work. One of the remaining ladies is expecting a baby (yay for her) and will be out soon as well. The last of us, well she is close to retirement age and from the sounds of it, is going to try and ride it out. I was very excited to have our girls lunch today. As the first to leave the job we had, there were things happening that I was brought up to speed on. Nothing surprising, but still unpleasant. There is no need to get into the specifics. My point, such that it is, is every one of us were so excited that we no longer, or soon would no longer work in that job. We all expressed similar thoughts... we no longer had to deal with that environment, and we had no idea how badly that environment had been affecting us. Impacting ourselves and those around us in very strong ways. This got me thinking. I've always known that what we think and choose to act on affect our lives and the lives of those around us. What I didn't realize is how severely and environmental influence can affect it. I consider myself fairly level headed... I have a wicked hot temper, but that's not the same as being lacking in common sense. Yet I know that my decisions are so much more clear now, and that I'm smiling and laughing all the time. It actually makes me a little self conscious and doubting if things are really that funny. But I haven't laughed and joked and smiled this much since I was living over seas. I felt so free and there was no pressure or stress then. I thought it had to be a phenomena of being on an extended holiday. I had gotten so used to life being one big stress ball that it was white noise. But it turns out, a change of environment and perspective is the true answer. One doesn't have to survive that way. And I do mean survive... none of us were living in that situation. But now that we are out, it was like looking in a mirror... these guys has the same stupid smiles and happy eyes that I did. These ladies that I worked with are very treasured friends and I am grateful that they are part of my life. I would not trade the negative experiences and circumstances of our meeting away, because that would mean I would have to give them up as well. But I am glad that we have maintained our bond even though we have gone our separate ways. Something I hope we continue to nurture and maintain. We are going to do a road trip... I'll make sure we get that done. Too easy to say someday, So we will have to set a date, and see it through.