Doing the Right Thing

I recently stopped talking to someone. As time continues, I learn more and more that even if you care about someone, even if a big part of you desires to associate with that said someone, that doesn't mean you should; sometimes whether you talk to someone or not is a matter of doing the right thing and, when you discover the appropriate path, it's best you take the corresponding action and go through with it--even if it's hard in a way. People can have a lot of good qualities and still not be meant to be in your life. I guess it's a matter of realizing that emotions are irrelevant; one should live a life of honor most of all, where one feels good about who one is and what one does. And merely associating with someone (or making any other type of choice or action) is never worth sacrificing that. The people who are meant to be in your life will expound on your virtue, honor and make you feel good about them being in your life.

The materialism of many women really makes me laugh sometimes, especially when they think that it can substitute sincerity and true emotion. This past week, my mom and I got into a conversation about how many women expect their husbands, boyfriends, significant others, etc. to buy them flowers if an argument has taken place; if the men in their lives wish to gain any amount of forgiveness, then some type of gift is in order. I, personally, think it's ridiculous! In a lot of cases, it seems that materialism trains men into thinking that flowers are a quick fix, causing men's apologies to be anything but genuine; it's as if any hope of change, any sorry that was in order, wilts just as the rose petals do and then men are back to their old habits. When the time comes for me to be in some type of committed relationship, I want the man I love to know that he doesn't have to buy that love with flowers or other nice things; moreover, I want our kind words and loyal actions to be what truly count, so that, if we ever for some strange reason get into a fight (like that could ever happen!), we resolve it in sincere, genuine ways that asks for true effort rather than shallow gifts that, in the end, amount to nothing.

I know generalizations are not always the best things to go with, but this one is not far from the truth: the male race is terrible at listening! I know I shouldn't be so surprised, for it happens quite frequently, but I still find it shocking and, not to mention, extremely annoying each time I experience it. So many times I feel like my voice isn't really valued--and it's something I see with other females as well. If I'm only around guys, I find myself continuously being interrupted; I find myself not being listened to after I intently listen to what each one of the guys I'm with has to say. I know our country has gone far in the area of women being treated as equals, but it seems like there still is this gap in many a man's mind that makes them think that what they have to say is somehow more important than what women have to say, that what women have to say is worth interrupting and not listening to. However, much of that will unlikely change, which is why I'm not really writing this to complain or anything; I'm writing this to express my deep appreciation, admiration and respect for those men that truly listen, that value what I have to say. There truly are people in this world that defy the norm and, though I find them a great exception, I think I tend to treasure them a lot more because they are rare diamonds amongst mounds of coal.

This past week I started reading a book about investing. I've always heard that investing was a good idea but it was never something that caused a deep interest to take root inside me--until this book. Admittedly, I am fairly ignorant when it comes to the money game, but now I have a desire to learn and a desire to sacrifice in order to become financially independent. I know becoming so will take time, but I'm excited about all the opportunity that is open to me and up for grabs! In this book, it speaks of discovering your own personal reason for wanting to invest and how it's so important to do that since that reason will carry you through all the difficult times and I think I discovered my reason: someday I'm going to be married and have children and I want to be able to focus on those relationships instead of always having to worry about scraping by. For me, my reason for wanting to invest is all about relationships and having those relationships enriched; I want my husband to know that I'm with him because I want to be--not because I need to be in order to be financially secure--and I want my children to have more than I have had. The book is directed towards women, so I wouldn't say I recommend it to everyone, but I do recommend that everyone give up a little time to actually look into investing and what it can do!

As to what I've been up to lately, I've mostly just been working. There is a definite learning curve in any new job that is undertaken, but I'm looking forward to the time that I am more confident in my knowledge and that things just become second nature. Hope all is well with you guys!