Oh baby baby!

When you feel good about your life, happiness, strength and energy oozes from your soul and envelopes your body with a warm feeling of contentment and that wondrous feeling like your on top of the world; anything is possible. It's that kind of feeling that human beings strive for, the feeling of a job well done, you've achieved your goals and put simply, you feel happy. Poets, philosophers, politicians and writers marveled at their own hopes and dreams, and the hopes and dreams of humanity, writing about them in song, prose and speaking of them to society. They poured their hearts out, searched deep into the realms of their souls to find what exactly will make them happy, and in turn looked into the happiness of others depending on their situation and needs. Being happy is the aim of human existence, but this doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections. Sometimes we tend to forget that happiness is recognizing and appreciating what we have.

I have a wonderful family, and some of the best friends anyone could ask for and now a new friend who appreciates me for me. I feel courageous, my confidence is returning and im starting to feel good. Lamington cupcakes taste pretty delicious when made from the heart, and you know, that must be why when your mum makes your lunch it tastes so good. Go figure. Pilates was a challenge tonight, one of those ones i aimed to beat. I was so proud of myself leaving the class tonight and the ligaments and pelvic muscles are feeling it already. Work ran smoothly and most of all i couldnt stop smiling. I wonder why?? So clearly my date went really well (it was our first official date, but i have spent alot of time with him lately) he even made me blush. Okay, so i blush easily but i still felt very special. Apparently i have a 'real' date to look forward to. How special can a girl feel! It was kind of funny, but as we get older we try things and for those of you who know me, me in a Japanese restaurant, an interesting endeavor. Raw salmon with a squeeze of lemon and a hint of wasabi, actually, to my surprise, it went down alright. Although i still gulped down some wine along with it... How good is eggplant! Okay, so its like a vegetarians slice of steak and wow, this tasted amazing. Definitely something i would order again. And yes there was the usual, miso soup, deep fried prawns (mm..) rice, chicken teriyaki and this amazing marinated lamb in a special japanese sauce on a bed of lettuce with slices of capsicum - my favourite. Interestingly, i don't eat steak but lamb is too good. During dinner i couldn't stop smiling, we had a great night, so today at work i told a few people about it and they were so excited. And i quote, 'yeah mate that dudes a mad dog'. Definitely correct.

Looks like i'm feeling happy, gaining confidence, not wanting to drive into street poles (at least not lately) and looking forward to this weekend, its going to be a great end to 2010. To top it all off? A visit from my half brothers in which one i have met and am very close to, the other, the first meeting, a great start to 2011. Fingers crossed for university, and toes crossed for something else...lets just say i made the phone call, i started a journey and i'm on the road to finishing another. All i can say is, well done JP, but don't burn yourself out.

Whilst we dream - we are young, we live free

The burning smell from the engine was making me feel nauseated and dizzy so i swerved off to the side of the road, jumped out the car and headed down the street. Its 2am, i didn't turn around then all of a sudden i picked up the pace and ran for it. He had dark brown hair, was quite tall with broad shoulders wearing nothing but black and he lead foot it towards me. I felt my lungs start to tighten "fuck this asthma!" i silently yelled in my head. "Where do i run!?" i thought, then all of a sudden out of nowhere a young girl pulled over, she was 17, "quick, jump in!" she cried. I scrambled for the door handle, eventually got it open; it seemed like forever, i knew he was gaining on me. I pretty much made a dive for the front seat, she put her foot down and fled out of there. I was in what looked like a simple country town and this girl was a mirror image of my 7 year old cousin, only a teenager; grown up and a little more mature looking in the face. We didn't know each other and sat in silence. I told her to drop me off at the next service station, there i could make a call to my best friend but she wouldn't have it and drove me to her families farm house. Horses, chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and the such, it felt surreal...unlike anything i've felt before. She stopped her car and we got out. It was freezing cold and a little cream coloured dog came bounding over, barking with excitement...it was my dog.

***

At night we close our eyes to sleep and we dream. If you have an overactive imagination like mine, you dream every night. Above, was one of last nights dreams that i can remember. Ever wondered why some of your dreams feel so real, or are completely mixed up or why there are recurring dreams. I have this dream where every few months or years, it happens again. It's the same people, same city, same location, same dress however the story develops further along each time. Last time at the end of the last installment to the dream, there was no gravity and i could float. I managed to crawl away and hide behind a giant pot ornament up high near the roof, and Travis killed him for me. It's one of those dreams that could become a movie length thriller. Its scary, exciting, surreal and feels so incredibly real. Sometimes i've woken up in that half awake, half still asleep, but dreaming, paralyzed state. Aren't dreams interesting? What do you dream of? The last few dreams i can remember consist of being raped and not able to scream for help (every girls worst nightmare), living by myself on mars with dolphins cruising around and being attacked by a giant brown snake on the way to Dolphin Cove, with Bas telling me he is too busy to help because he needs to pick up the guests for the special needs program, meanwhile... i'm laying on the path hanging on to my leg. A mixture of small fears perhaps? I've never been one to completely delve deep into the meaning of what dreams mean, however i do know that your brain, and your subconscious work overtime whilst your asleep to process the days activities or even the weeks activities and any feelings, concerns, thoughts, plans etc. Sometimes, it becomes a jumbled mess of A real life game of Jumanji, are you in or out?

Lack of sleep can also add to the craziness of your dreams. I don't doubt this for a second. If i didn't have today off from work, i'd be a moody, miserable mess for everyone else.  I've had a great week, it's been non-stop and now i'm really feeling it; exhausted, vulnerable, moody and my head is spinning. I have a date tonight and as excited as i've been it kinda saddened me at the same time. When i lived with my ex i wanted to go on dates but we never did... sometimes in relationships it's still nice to go on dates and spend romantic evenings together, but its something that never happened in our relationship so i feel pretty special about tonight. This person came into my life unexpectedly, but i'm having fun, exercising and eating well (i'm doing everything ive been aiming to do and starting to get into a routine now) and i whoop his ass at Guitar Hero. I'm pretty happy at the moment with how the year is ending and can't wait for more awesome nights out, fun with my girls, my family and heading to No sleep til' festival in brissy! Megadeath, A day to remember, atreyu - heck yes! I saw sunflowers at work yesterday and they completely drew a smile across my face and made my day.

How cute does lenny look? This is my turtle and I wanted to share this photo with everyone because turtles are one of my favourite animals and i cant wait to see them up north again. Only 1 in 1000 survive to maturity and some aren't lucky enough to even survive hatching! The animals of our world endure hardships like no other and it disgusts me what you hear about animal cruelty, the black market, whaling etc. If we don't play our small part in protecting our beautiful animals, one day they will disappear from our world and i would be devastated if this happened to turtles, well any creature. I'm so thankful to have Lenny, i love waking up and seeing him in the morning. He has bitten me, but what animal doesn't bite, right?

Keep the Faith

The more things change, the more we grow, not only as a race but as individuals. Each day we live on this earth we accomplish something great - we survived another day and now have an extra memory to add to our collection or perhaps simply appreciate that this day was stress free, you made a decision, a promise to yourself or relaxed for once. I made a promise to this world i would appreciate the sunshine, the rain and every good or bad moment life throws our way and tell my close ones i love them. Everybody wants something just a little more, so what are we living for? As Bon Jovi says "You could live on the street or rule the entire world...yeah, I'm a dreamer, i still believe, i believe in hope, i believe that change can get us up off our knees..."

You know, i have this friend, let's call him Randolph and I miss him dearly all the time. It felt surreal to hear his voice last week and even though I was in another state, it felt like i was sitting next to him. Hand in hand, i could chat to him all night. He is the epitome of great and I haven't stopped thinking about him. Life leads us on separate paths yet every now and then we connect and it's times like these that make you want to live. Its a shame i don't get to see him anymore, if he was in my bed last night i could easily fall asleep with my head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. You can tell I miss him, huh? He went to his dads funeral last week...I cant imagine how he is feeling, or what thoughts are running through his mind. If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Buildings burn, people die, but real love is forever. Your heart can be empty because you can't see them, or you can be full of the love and the rocking memories you shared. Nevertheless, the death of a loved isn't an easy thing to overcome, it takes time, sometimes years, and Randolph has been so brave, courageous and strong and it makes me proud to see him stand strong in the face of grief. Grief is like the ocean, its bigger and deeper than all of us and when you face it head on, your strength of character grows more than you ever know. 

Things happen in a split second so should we sit in cruise control, or experience what life has to offer? Each situation we come across makes us learn and grow. It teaches us, and prepares us for what's going to happen next. In terms of relationships, George and i are friends again: we re-connected before he went oversees but i still think it might take a little time. I miss our rainy nights on the beach and me falling asleep because he is talking about Formula 1. In regards to Harley, well put simply, he confuses me. He could never be openly honest with me in the first place, and finds it difficult to simply say what's going on. I had so much to give him but felt like a puppet on a string and that i was so very '21' as he says. He sent me a text message to tell me he didn't want anything to do with me either. Courageous huh? It's not even a difficult thing as long as your open and honest, the other person respects that. The predicament sent an sms message as well and was surprised when i was hurt and upset about it. Empathy? Being open and honest to someone's face? A text message, classy boys! Things aren't always black and white, life isn't a bed of roses and sorry seems to be the hardest word, but honesty, that's all i've ever wanted. The predicament and I have gone our separate ways and remain friends. They all hurt me, and i hurt them in some shape or form and we all wanted different things and are at completely different stages in our lives. When it rains, it pours and my heart is hurting but i know everything will be alright. Don't get me wrong, i feel good about everything and i'm in a good place. I'm caring for my animals, enjoying work (beside the 'he said', 'she said' bullshit but its completely passed now. My lungs feel healthy and open, ready for exercise and I have some great friends. I enrolled in my subjects for university today and i had a great catch up with a beautiful friend of mine. I really can't wait to go on a drive and get down to Byron Bay or something for a cruisy weekend away and maybe see some baby cows?

I'm exercising, eating healthy and feeling good. Over the weekend just gone i went to an awesome eighties party and made some new friends, then Saturday night saw one of my best friends perform in her ballet performance. She was stunning and i nearly cried... seeing her dance again made me so proud of her, i wanted to give her flowers and i couldn't help smiling. Yoga and Pilates have been great classes at the gym too although my ligaments are feeling it today! Nevertheless my ballerina baby inspired me to get back on the horse as they say, so i've joined the gym and im focusing on becoming flexible and strong; my first steps to being a yoga teacher in 5 years. Walking around university today i anticipated what next year, here, will bring. A smile drew across my face and i tossed my empty v can in the bin and headed up the stairs towards the car park. A little nervous, a little apprehensive, a little ready for action!

My Darkest Hour

Gary Jules said its a mad world and as i listened to the song i remembered my darkest hour of last year. Its interesting how songs tap into our own emotional worlds and bring out feelings we buried long ago. It's just like when you look at an old photograph of you and an ex partner; sometimes certain memories and feelings come flooding back and Its not that you want it once more, but you remember that time in your life.


My Darkest Hour
Copyright Jodie Stewart 2010

In my darkest hour you weren't there,
there i sat across the room, you stared
helpless, selfless i gave my plea
catatonic, you simply let me be.

what of empathy? did this pass your mind
skewed perceptions and ignorance is bliss?
constricted, i was trapped and alone
with you my hand you did not kiss.

Ruined by a childish demeanor
a longing, down the hall i called
There i was, scared, alone
tranquilized by a lady in white, did you see her?

In my darkest hour you weren't there,
there i laid on the bed and stared,
the ceiling crashed down over me
selfless, you simply let me be.

what of the love, i shared with you,
how could you be so unkind?
put simply, this song has been un-sung to you
like a bird i'm free to shine.

a light flashed before my eyes,
a voice said 'don't leave me.'
the only thing that remains is change
this song has found a new key.

A Change of Seasons

A Change of Seasons

copyright Jodie Stewart 2010

Close down your eyes, Imagine a world full of love, hope, courage and unity.
Draw your gaze inward, upon yourself and notice how you are feeling
It’s Like a new emotion, tingling, contradictory to the norm,
A sense of clarity echoes through her soul, a gaze inward.

They're the stars that lie to you but you weren’t told to listen
It's all talk, no action and you can see right through them

There's a place she goes for her escape, the imagination,
She creates a world highlighting her hopes and dreams
With or without you she hardly noticed the flames burning until he softly whispered in her ear

“I'm thinking of you, you're thinking of me,
I can't keep You out, my heart yearns for a cure,
This isn't the time and definitely not the place for love, a Sunday session impure.”

Attack of the mannequins, contaminating yet surreal,
A pretentious scenery is this real, or simply a euphemism?
A journey lost with a new beginning found With or without you I found my peace.

Like a new sixth wonder in her very own New world order,
Peace and serenity is Not unique but wondrous, she keeps it
Locked securely in her well of strength, courage and unity.

How lovely is a birds song, how tepid are you're words
How simple Is a moment turned ghastly by one wrong.
How striking are her bright red shoes, her voice brave, a sweet smile across her face,
One look in the mirror, a giggle she felt she was in space.

Like a new emotion, tingling, it's contradictory to the norm, a sense of freedom reverberates trough her chest, her hearts centre. The chain has been broken with one more story, one more world And one more song a tale of truth unfolds.

The seasons change, unlike any others yet nothings set in stone.
Enjoy the spontaneity of our world and smile, we are not alone.

SLeepy Saturday

That ain't working, that's the way you do it. Money for nothing, chicks for free.

There is a constant saying that replays in my mind like a jukebox stuck on repeat, and its a one hit wonder that you don't find too wondrous. When pain hits us, it hits fast and we react in numerous ways to cope with the pain. Another day, another dollar. For a long time, i've only had one person i can be completely honest with, who won't pass judgment onto me, pretend like everything's okay all the time and offer constructive advice. Who doesn't give you the condescending pat and say 'there, there, you'll be alright.' I mean what is that? That's when they either don't know what to say about the situation or they simply can't be bothered and need to get on with their own lives. mm hmm..."Surely you jest!" as one of my colleagues would say. Sickness strikes again but this time i hit it with vitamin c tablets, cold and flu tablets, lozenges and my favorite betadine sore throat gargle. Trust me, i had chronic tonsillitis for over a year and a half and this stuff works wonders. I needed today off work but there was only going to be two staff on, so i went in anyway and after chugging down a mother can with my cold tablets and some time in the sun, i felt better. I still had a hazy feeling surrounding me and my head was heavy all day so my vegetable soup was the only option for lunch. I am obsessed with mixed berries lately and completely cant get enough of them. Sometimes its carrots, sometimes its berries. Its strange, i don't even feel like chocolate or lollies, just berries and vegetables. Perhaps my body is trying to tell me something? For dinner i had lots of water, feel pretty dehydrated, and mango, berries and yoghurt. I'm just not that hungry, i don't really have a big appetite as you can tell and all i want to do is relax in the sun with a group of friends. Im tired but I'm trying not to drink energy drinks... as usual, i say this every month but its hard, i love the taste of them and i'm completely immune to the caffeine content. I think my body is just trying to fight this infection. I felt better going to work, yet tonight i feel terrible. It's draining me but im okay:) I have trouble sleeping, a hopeless dreamer - i dream constantly each night. I could write a movie about all the adventures i've had in my sleep. Some have been pretty scary and others fascinating and so exciting. The last dream? Bitten by a brown snake the size of a boa constrictor and left to die at dolphin cove.. great huh!?

Despite a few situations getting messy, i was confident tonight in myself, picked up my guitar and pretty much played it like id been playing for months. After wards, i was so pleased with myself i researched guitar teachers on the coast but really only want to learn from my old teacher. Gosh its pouring down rain! It just came out of nowhere. And a shiver down my spine, i think thats my cue to head to bed.

Such is life

I've been drawn into this world of freedom, peace and serenity. Happiness is just a tear drop away and sadness doesn't last forever. We all overcome feelings of hurt and anxiety, and when we feel lost, someones there to pick us right back up and lead us in the right direction. Maybe it's a close friend, an old friend, or your family or maybe waking up in a new state to young cows mooing and chickens roaming around a pen. Sometimes, all it takes is a slice of some new scenery to move us along the right path and know that we are doing the right thing. I think that in life, it's important to find a stable balance between having fun and the serious side to life such as healthy eating and work. We need to experience the right mix of good and bad to appreciate the times that come after we feel so confused and unworthy. Our emotions move through a period of haziness and confusion, and come out with a sense of clarity; understanding. Australia zoo was a very important day, and i needed to spend that quality time with my dad. I do miss him, and it's been weird getting used to living with just my mum and two brothers but i understand that through life circumstances change therefore its important to understand the change, adjust and continue living life as normal. Sometimes though, its hard not to think about the times your family was once together as one. This morning i received a text message from my mum telling me that The Models singer, James Freud died, and was found by his family in their Hawthorn home. I read over the message more than once, and was immediately shell shocked. My heart went out to my old school friend, his mum and his older brother. When sad news is told to you, its interesting how you react. I didn't know what to say and i just wanted to see him, grab him and hold him. After reading news stories, it truly set in and today i couldn't help but appreciate even more the time i just spent with my dad at the zoo, and the many days more i'm going to spend with him. I messaged my friend straight away sending my condolences and warmest thoughts. I couldn't even begin to imagine what him and his family are going through.

So many songs remind me of different times in my life and when i jumped in the car today i decided not to listen to the radio. I drove in silence. Many thoughts were running through my mind at different times today and i cried. I'm saddened now, as i write this but writing what i feel helps me to process whats going on. After yesterday i decided i wouldn't bother trying anymore. Whats the point in trying when they don't want anything with you. I'm tired of selfish behavior and trust me guys, it's so important to be empathetic. You just never know what else is going on behind face value. We are young and at the best of times walking on sunshine. I wouldn't mind spending everyday out in the pouring rain as long as i was happy. I'm still not well, the typical gold coast sore throat, headaches, a bit of a fever but it didn't stop me cooking vegetable soup for nourishment, and spending the night playing guitar hero with my family and a great friend of mine. I think its taken its toll though i feel so worn out and i even needed ventolin. Typical. We were going to spend the night in Surfers at Karaoke but things didn't go to plan so we brought the karaoke to our loungeroom. I think it's kinda cooler anyways! I really wish  guitar hero had Come said the boy.. nevertheless rocking out Blink 182, Foo Fighters and yes, even megadeath - holy wars the punishment due. Pretty sweet night even if i can't talk properly.

Such is life, as they say, and i cant believe the events that have occurred in the past 48 hours. How life changes in a split second, so we must appreciate each day we have on this earth because you never know when it could be your last.

Jx

PS: I love you my friend for coming over this afternoon and tonight, you really made my day and you're the best.

Things aren't always as they seem

Wednesday!!!
System of a down is blaring in my 98' Fords car stereo... it's old school system from their toxicity album, just father and daughter on their way to Australia Zoo (one of the coolest places on earth!) for the day. A random phone call from that guy who was 'so sweet' from the casino interview, hmm 'why is he calling?', i wondered. Dad answered, and it was a female, long story short, it was his girlfriend. Bizarre! Apparently, i wasn't the first girl she had rung this morning, thankfully enough i'm not that kind of person that i was only interested in him as a friend. Though i thought, wow, that girl has alot of courage calling up girls her boyfriend had been seriously texting. You know, it makes you wonder how faithful peoples partners are. You hear so many different stories along the grapevine of unfaithful lovers and cheating and so on and it's not right. What ever happened to being completely and utterly committed to the person your with? Isn't that why you're in a relationship in the first place?

Dad and i had a laugh about it and continued on our merry way to the zoo, stopping off at maccas for some hash browns along the way! (i hear they are gluten free for those gluten intolerant out there) Dad had never been to the zoo before and he had a great day. The shows were great, the elephants beautiful, again, the zoo was as sparkling and clean as it always is. Unfortunately dad had gout in his knee so when i was hurrying off to another exhibit, he was kind of hobbling along behind me. I had an up close and personal meet and greet with DJ, a 8 and a half year old White Rhino in an off exhibit part of the park. This was something i've wanted to do for a long time. Rhinos are so very fascinating and incredible animals. I saw two female Rhinos as well, then learned that one of them, Caballe was pregnant. A baby Rhino for the zoo next year? How exciting! I imagined them to be alot larger and taller than they were but was awe struck as ever. I was the only guest booked onto the encounter so gave DJ lots of hay and pats. After pats and photos, we stepped out of his enclosure and the keeper let DJ in with the two females. It was fascinating watching the behavior of the animals between one another, the huffing and grunting of the females telling DJ to stay away. He was quite submissive to the females where as in the wild he would be a lot more dominant and advance towards them. Meeting a Rhino was one of the coolest things i've ever done. Sure, filming dolphins everyday is pretty amazing and im so lucky to have my job, but a Rhino!! WOW

The free flight bird presentation of the zoos 'Birds of Prey' animals was great also, and i recommend this to all going to the zoo. As the end of the day was getting nearer we headed back around to Tiger Temple to see a good friend of mine working and doing what he does best. There were 3 tigers in the exhibit but Mika, was by far my favourite. Maybe it's because she was the one closest to us? She just looked so regal and gorgeous, i loved her piercing eyes and she is one of the most beautiful tigers i've seen, she was adorable. I just wanted to cuddle her! Picked up my photos, met with my cat friend, spoke for a while then thought we better get home considering it was a 2 hour drive back down to the coast. I made dad drive home, so i could sleep. Score. I really can't wait to volunteer at the zoo again and learn more about the amazing animals they have there. Its such a great experience and im itching to head to Thailand to help with the elephant sanctuaries. It's great being single, i can do what i want, when i want, but it would be nice to go on a holiday with someone i really care about who i know ill have fun with. If only dogs could travel with us... Anyway, i really want to have a great weekend, even though im under the weather with a sore throat (just like everyone else on the coast) I am in a stable emotional environment, so lets not mess it up and just have fun!

A wee lil ramble!

So i got another tattoo friday night, paid for it tonight and i think you will all agree that one: Surfers still sucks. I waited for 20mins in kfc for a chicken wrap. Short staffed anyone? and two: Surfers is dirty! There are so many bogans and unclean people and i guess i was one of them tonight. I contemplated another piercing whilst getting more jewelry but opted against it - i am saving for a house, i know. I sat in the tattoo shop for a while chatting to my tattooist, talking about my weekend and showing him some photos from the Halloween party. Oh the halloween party! What a great night. Awesome people with awesome costumes, really cute animals completely added to the mix and what do you get when you mix a whole bottle of champagne with rum, bourbon, a daiquiri machine and jelly shots? Me and the dance floor completely united! Anyway, so the party was awesome, told some stories from the night and was heading to a mates place in broady and whoa! I completely just realised i hadn't paid for my soundwave ticket! (I'm sorry) My minds a little hectic at the moment, can you guess? I'm less stressed about everything and going with the flow each day and i just want sunny weather to stay! I've been craving vegetables lately and the last thing i feel like is meat... ew! Really want to head out this weekend and go to karaoke or do something fun! Im heading back to uni and considering these gorgeous nights we've been having i just want to soak it all up!

I went to my best girlys house last night to have a little catch up and it was so good seeing them. I already can't wait to see them again. There's alot to catch up on and we could chat all night, although it was getting late so i had to leave and thankfully, no cane toads on the way to the car. God i hate cane toads! This blog is like a ramble but i am trying to rush.. sometimes my blogs are serious and sometimes they are just plain nonsensical. That's what life is like though so why not imitate life in word form? All i want to do is write lately (not exactly like this, in another format of course) and i really need to catch up with an ex boyfriend of mine. He was my first love and all, and i like seeing him every 6months or so, its kinda nice to see him:)

Met someone at the casino, he is super sweet but i'm not in the right state of mind or anything to go on dates with people etc, and especially with how i feel about things. I have a great group of friends and im just enjoying spending time with everyone, enjoying work and looking forward to summer bbqs, nights out and chrissy. The best thing about next year? I get to meet my half brother for the first time...  okay second but first adult time.. and i cant wait!! I'm really excited. I just hope he likes me!

JP X

It's a Jungle out there!

A workplace can become an interesting battle of give and take. So what happens when your work life becomes your social life. How do we cope when we become the talking point of the rumor in question. 

When your work life becomes your social life, things can get a little hazy. It's like your names pulled out of a hat and your thrust directly into the stage lights of a brand new production, its opening night and your audience, becomes your review. So who are the greatest critics?  How do we deal with the stresses of being in the social limelight after a night out with the work mates, or when you've been dating a colleague you work with. In the workplace, rumors and social situations alike between staff members spread like wildfire.  If your well-liked around the workplace, other staff are most likely rooting for you. But one small judgment (which come on, somebody always has an opinion about you) that's when the rumors begin, and the truth becomes completely twisted. It's a battle between the truth, fiction and conflicting personalities.

The workplace is interchangeable and quite often lacks compassion, empathy and caring. In daily situations, can you put the feelings of others before yourself? Not many people can answer that honestly. Sure, people bring to the workplace their daily struggles and strains, and everyone's problem should be treated as individual. Do you as a colleague or, a decent human being, offer caring, or do you think their problem is nothing compared to yours? Be honest, how many times do you think to yourself, "that's nothing, they should get a life." 

It's funny to note how judgmental people can be, and for those who are so extremely taken back by people judging others, aren't we supposed to treat people how we would like to be treated ourselves?  When you judge another, you do not define them but yourself. Somehow, our opinions always seem to get in the way. Think about it. Judging someone else and saying one thing or another about that person before getting to know them and their history, you're simply demonstrating to others what sort of a person you are, and your values or maybe lack of them. Interpersonal skills represent the ability to communicate with others and build, and also maintain effective working relationships. Co-operation tends to make this happen, but what happens when a social night out with your colleagues turns into a workplace nightmare of skewed convictions. Its like a game of mercy. Your either in all the way, or your out at the first sign of pressure.


In a company with numerous numbers of departments and staff members, relationships are bound to happen between colleagues. Two people meet, get together and become fond of one another. In large workplaces both people may have dated others from the same workplace beforehand. Does it really matter who dates who? Two peoples relationships of the past shouldn't affect their relationships of today. They should be left alone to do their own thing and build something together. If it works, great, if not, everyone needs to 'live with it' as they say, or in this case, 'work' with it. How do you feel when something you've said gets turned around into something completely different to what actually came from your mouth? It becomes a game of 'he said', 'she said' and people put up walls because they don't want to hurt peoples feelings and so on. Sometimes, people just want to be on the 'good' side of everyone and they can't admit to saying something wrong or not knowing the complete story. They are the kinds of people who want everyone to like them and dig themselves a hole so deep they can't even climb their way out of it. Unfortunately, they are easily caught out of their own game, they become flustered and their story runs in circles. Manipulative? Definitely.

A workplace should be exactly that, your place of work. Friends come and go, work mates are simply your work mates. On a daily basis, however, everyone needs to look out for another and work as a team. Be empathetic, compassionate and understand we all come from different backgrounds so instead of creating unwanted tension, just work together. The meaning of 'empathy' is putting yourself in someone else shoes and trying to think of what its like for them while they're going through their struggle, or trying to deal with some sort of pain and so on. Be supportive, because you never know when you might find yourself in that situation.