100 posts, thousands left unwritten

Tonight I’m writing my 100th blog post on jennasauber.com. Back when I began this blog in November of 2007, I wasn’t sure if this site was going to be mostly for my published work as a professional calling card, if it was going to be my online journal, or a combination of both.

I wasn’t sure how much of my private life I would share, or if I cared if anyone actually read it. Now more than two years later, I’ve shared quite a bit, and although I don’t know my exact following, I’m pleased to see that I have a small group of loyal readers, some who know me closely, and some whom I’ve never met.

100 posts later, there are many days I don’t know what to write, if I want to write, or if what I wrote was good enough to go live. In starting this post, I had no idea what to write. I suppose I could have just said “100 schmundred!” and not cared about a theme or making it a big deal, but I’m a dates and anniversary and recognition type person, so that wouldn’t have lasted very long.

With 100 posts comes at least 100 reasons I decided to write something down and make it live. With 100 posts comes ten times more memories and moments that I did not write down, because they were too fleeting, too private, too confusing, too indescribable. With 100 posts come many lessons learned over the last couple of years… and that is what I wanted to share with you today:

• There is nothing more fulfilling, comforting, or stress-relieving than cooking a meal for yourself at the end of the day and savoring it. Even better if you are sharing it with people you care about.
• Not all of your colleagues at work are meant to be your friends –  they may be just that – colleagues. For the ones that do become friends, cherish that, but don’t let it get in the way of your working relationship.
• Your parents are people, just like you. They always mean well and always want what’s best for you – but respecting them and loving them doesn’t always mean agreeing with them or them agreeing with you. Finding a mutual understanding is key.
• You can’t change other people – they can only change themselves. Waiting and wishing on someone to change will only stress you out. Work on what you can control. (This lesson is still being learned.)
• Some people won’t have the same idea of what a friendship/relationship is as you – decide how much you want to invest and accept it if it’s more/less than the other person. End the relationship if you can’t handle it. (Still being learned…)
• No one can truly know what’s best for you except you. Not your best friend, not your therapist, not your parents. Unless it’s a medical situation, or life-threatening, you usually will figure out what’s best for you. (Thank you to everyone for their guidance! Keep it coming.)
• The loss of a pet can take more out of you than you may ever imagine, but will leave you so fulfilled all at once. (Thank you, Casey)
• If you have a best friend who is like a sister or brother, don’t ever let them go. That’s the person you can call at 3am, even if they go to bed early. That’s the person who will drive 7 hours to spend the weekend with you, even if everything you called them crying about is better by the time they get there. (Thank you, Molly)
• Knowing you need help and asking for it are two very different things. Both are important. Both are necessary for self-improvement.
• A relationship that causes you more pain than good is not worth maintaining. But knowing when to let go can be even harder.
• Never assume the other person will know what you really feel – just tell them.
• It’s true what they say about family – you may love them, but you don’t have to like them.
• For some people, a job is what pays the bills and keeps them busy during the day. If you have a passion and it can be your job, then go for it. Don’t hesitate to figure out NOW what you want to do for the rest of your life. It may be your only chance.
• The power of perspective: from taking a step back, from stepping in someone else’s shoes, from an outsider who doesn’t know you – it can change everything.
• Life is too short to focus on the negative. A favorite quote that was on my mom’s fridge for years: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”
• At your job, other people and circumstances will frustrate you. But if you take care of what you can, and do your best, that’s all you can worry about. And you will get recognized for that. (Thanks, boss)
• The people who truly care for you and are there for you will make time for you, no matter what. Those who don’t aren’t worth waiting around for. Cherish those who are there for you when you need them – not just when they need you – and be there for them back.

I could go on and on, but that’s why I keep this blog, because each new post is a new lesson, a new reflection, a new celebration, a new success. Feel free to peruse through my posts from the last two years, and share any thoughts you have with me in the comments or getting in touch with me directly! Thank you for reading. More lagniappe coming soon.