Graceful Giraffe

After a successful interview with my new job, my new boss gave me the book Surviving Your Serengeti-7 Skills to Master Business and Life. I don't read as much as I should but when I do, I tend to have a highlighter by my side so I can keep track of what inspired me. 

The book takes place in Africa and analyzes survival skill sets of wild animals and how they relate to the business world and life. There's a lot we can learn from these animals; their success isn't solely by chance.. natural selection is a technique and if we apply these skill sets and mind sets to our daily lives, we will be happier and more successful. 

At the present time, I relate mostly to the Graceful Giraffe. You'll have to read the book to understand why, but this quote summarizes the chapter:

"A lot of people can only be positive when all is going their way. But that's when it's easier to have an optimistic outlook. The survival skill of grace emphasizes the fact that we must be grateful, even when things aren't going our way. Our ability to develop grace isn't based on what we have or don't have. What matters in terms of grace is whether or not we appreciate what we do have, and how we interact with those around us". 

I am currently experiencing a stressful yet exciting transition which has left me discouraged and worried about things that haven't even happened yet. Reading this chapter opened my mind and made me realize that this transition isn't an ending, it's merely an opportunity. I need to embrace change; life is awesome. 

With grace, I did everything I could today to appreciate my surroundings. The weather was gorgeous, so I went on a bike ride and then (at age 25) took a break by playing on a swing-set by myself. Swinging on a swing is the closest thing I have to flying skills and it's super relaxing..at any age. On my way home, I met a cool family. 

The mom hissed at me.