There are a lot of lessons that can be learned by
deciding to live my life, as best I can, by asking myself what would Laura Bush
do? One I have really come to understand is how staying quiet when it comes to
advice giving is sometimes the best bet. Laura Bush is always polite and
remains classy, and I shall do the same. Most times people don’t even listen,
so why bother?
Any dangerous situations always warrant speaking up,
but it is the other times I have decided to just remain quiet. I will politely
nod, agree, and let it go. When people come to you for advice, yet do the
opposite time and time again, it is frustrating. And it gets old, really old. Even
with the best intentions when giving advice, people don’t want to hear about
that. They essentially want you to validate whatever it is they say, so I have
decided to do just that. If anything, it will surely end the conversation quicker.
There is a difference between venting and seeking
advice. Venting is a whole different ballgame. When someone needs to vent, they
don’t want your take, they want to just get it out to feel better. But when you
contact someone specifically for advice, one would think they want to hear from
you. For one reason or another, they trust you and want your help. And what a
slap in the face it becomes when they continually don’t listen.
Not all advice is always going to be perfect. There
are topics that I admit I am not the one to seek wisdom from. I am up front
when it is time for those topics. I am not saying to take all advice given, I
am saying to at least think about it. When someone keeps making the same
mistakes, same outcomes, listen to those close to you as there is a reason they
are saying what they are.
And above all, don’t overreact. If someone gives you
advice that you may not particularly like, don’t get defensive. Someone needs
to look out for you. If you take time to let said advice sink in before
attacking, you may just realize there are good intentions behind the advice.
The past couple of weeks I have had a couple people
talk to me and in the end, my words meant nothing and things turned out how I
feared they would. It happens and I don’t believe all my advice is brilliant,
but my reason behind said advice was one of good. But after another round of
not being listened to, and me having to pick up the pieces yet again, I had an epiphany.
Now I know why Laura Bush doesn’t engage. She is the brilliant one.
I will always be there with an ear to listen, but
before I speak I am going to think of Laura Bush. If the topic isn’t anything
dangerous to the person or anyone else, I am just going to agree and kindly
support any decision they come to. I may not agree with the decisions, but I
support my friends and if it is what they want, then it is what I want as well.
It may not be the right thing at all times, but it is as close to being Laura
Bush as I can get and that is always right in my book.
Author’s note: Any one that doesn’t respect the
music of the Bee Gees is really missing out. Sometimes all you need is a great
pop tune to get your day going!
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