Things I Have Learned at Tinker

For the last few months, even before tech school, I have carried with me many lessons learned that I want to carry with me to my next base and through out my life. I wanted to share them because these are my most precious possessions in life. I have found that the knowledge and wisdom we accrue holds more value than any monetary goal ever could.

So here goes:



1. Treat people well regardless of their race, religion, job, personality, etc. A person's demographics do not determine what kind of people they are. Their character tells you all about them. Additionally, even if they are the most vile of people, our character is proven when we treat them well.

2. You cannot put a price on quality of life. In Chaplain Assistant School, I met some really awesome people of God. It was great to know that they were praying for us, that we could just strike up a conversation about God, that they were mature, smart and knowledgeable about the Word. In stark contrast to what I'm used to, it was a major blessing!

3. You're life is not your own. This may sound strange to some people, especially in this individualist society. However, I have learned that everything we do affects other people, good or bad. I also feel like there is a social expectation to do right by people, to treat people well, and be a productive member of society. That's not to say that you don't run your own life, because I do believe that we all make choices. However, we have to remember that who we are as individuals is one of many roles we play. I play the role: daughter, friend, some-day wife, airman, citizen, etc. All these roles mean that at some point my life and my time belongs to another person or people because of a role I must fulfill.

4. To tag on the paragraph above, we must make sure our needs are taken care of before we can take care of others. What I mean by that is our needs must come first. When we don't get enough rest, food, exercise, love, etc, we can become resentful and wonder why no one is taking care of us. The truth is that no one is going to do it for us. We may be blessed to have friends that run us to the hospital, buy us lunch, tell us to get some sleep, etc. However, only we truly know our needs and must learn to act on them.

Sometimes, we have become so accustomed to stuffing our needs or ignoring them that we don't realize why we are angry, resentful or bitter. One story from my life, I used to get so mad at the people that I hung out with, unsure why. Then I thought, "What is the root of all this?" I just wanted to some time to myself to read, workout, and just decompress. After I established a boundary with my time, I no longer feel that way anymore.

5. Speaking of time, it is the most *SCARCE* resource we have! Use it wisely! I say this because I look back on my life at all the time I wasted doing nothing. Now I try to fill my days with things that will build me up and make me a better person, or allow me to do something with people.

6. Never underestimate the power of a crappy situation. I can't recount how many times I've spent in full MOPP gear, showed up to a jet at 4AM just to wait forever for it to be fixed, or been chewed out because someone didn't like my way of doing something. The truth is that there will crappy situations in life. But I have learned to find good in those situations. I have made some lifelong friends from hours talking and I have learned what I kind of leader/person that I don't want to be.

7. When you seek to do well in life, you will reap what you sew. You will also have obstacles to overcome, walls to tear down. However, I look at these challenges as a way to prove myself: do I deserve what I am about to take on? You cannot live life without challenges. However, I do believe that we can do more than we give ourselves credit for. Those things that are way out my hands, I look to God to help me with.

8. Don't hold on to a grudge. That's not to say that a bad situation or relationship will be resolved, but for yourself, let it go, wish that person the best, and move on with your life. A grudge just holds you back and down from living life to the fullest.

9. Know yourself. Know your limitations and weakness and work on them. Know your strengths and talents and hone them. To know what you are capable and not capable of will help guide you to your purpose in life. Personality tests can help; however, they cannot show you who you truly are the way that experience can.

10. LIVE YOUR LIFE! Don't let anyone or anything hold you back from everything that your life. I have learned that my closer inner circle greatly affect my quality of life. Surround yourself with people who love and uplift you instead of bringing you down.