Top 10 Things October Has Taught Me...

Everyday is a lesson learned.  Some days are reaffirmation of a previous day's lesson.  As the days go by, we should all grow in some way!  The following are things that I've learned OR ways that I've grown this month (nonsequencial in relevance):

1. Personalities can REALLY clash in the culinary industry.  Everyone wants to make their presence known, but I've seen several people go about it the absolute WRONG way!  ..."beware of sharp knives in the kitchen"!  Forget being "stabbed in the back", these scallywags will get you in the front while looking you square in the face!  Reaffirmation of life lessons: to get ahead, just be yourself!  It doesn't take being a B**** to get to the top; people really WILL want to off you.  Be a B**** ONLY to those who deserve it.  Bitchiness is an ingredient that in some recipes, you must use sparingly!
2. I'd make a great restaurant manager!  I've taken the Manager position during several class periods where the students run a restaurant.  For the most part, the lunch hour went smoothly, food got out and problems were quickly resolved.  Seeing as how, managing the front of the house has NOTHING to do with my long term goals, we'll just move on to...
3. October has reaffirmed that perhaps it's meant for me to remain single!
4. This month has taught me that NOTHING IS TOO HARD!  People frequently ask me "Denise, how do you juggle it all?"  A single mom, licensed foster parent, full time student, active member and Secretary of a Motorcycle Club, pageant chair, church goer, friend, so on and so forth - it's not difficult at all.  Mantra: "Stop saying you don't have time for _______!  The time is there, it's all in how you manage it.  You'll make time for the things that are important to you." Reaffirmation: perception.  Is.  EVERYTHING!
5. Things and people who don't support or bring value to my long term goals GOTTA GO!  (enough said)
6. I can be successful at whatever I want to be successful at.  I had several glimpses of this this month.  THANK GOD FOR FORESIGHT!
7. Several necessary changes may in order.  (Refer back to number 5.)  Serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.  Can the chu'ch say Amen again?!?!  I think I've been shown which things/people need to go and am being given time to make decisions. 
8. I'm at the point in my life where I have to STAY in the gym!  For goodness sakes, I'm in culinary school!  I think I've gained the "freshman fifteen" in the first two months school!  *insert angry face*  This, however, shows me the importance of nutrition, portion control, and exercise.  Perhaps it's just what I needed to convince me to take on that "Exercise Science" minor for my undergrad degree!
9. Some people are not, I repeat NOT, worth jeopardizing my happiness for.
10. Reaffirmation: Everything happens for a reason.  People are placed in your life for a season.  The season may be forever or it may be for a short time.  (Stole the rest from Madea/Tyler Perry) "If somebody wants to walk out of your life, let - them - go!
    Some people are meant to come into your life for a lifetime, some for only a season and you got to know which is which. And you're always messing up when you mix those seasonal people up with lifetime expectations.
    I put everybody that comes into my life in the category of a tree. Some people are like leaves on a tree. When the wind blows, they're over there... wind blow that way they over here... they're unstable. When the seasons change they wither and die, they're gone. That's alright. Most people are like that, they're not there to do anything but take from the tree and give shade every now and then. That's all they can do. But don't get mad at people like that, that's who they are. That's all they were put on this earth to be. A leaf.
    Some people are like a branch on that tree. You have to be careful with those branches too, cause they'll fool you. They'll make you think they're a good friend and they're real strong but the minute you step out there on them, they'll break and leave you high and dry.
    But if you find 2 or 3 people in your life that's like the roots at the bottom of that tree you are blessed. Those are the kind of people that aren't going nowhere. They aren't worried about being seen, nobody has to know that they know you, they don't have to know what they're doing for you but if those roots weren't there, that tree couldn't live.
    A tree could have a hundred million branches but it only takes a few roots down at the bottom to make sure that tree gets everything it needs. When you get some roots, hold on to them but the rest of it... just let it go. Let folks go." 

Hopefully my lessons can become your lessons.  Until next time, remember: "ALL THINGS ARE DIVINE!"