Rule #10 – If you can’t get out of it… Get Into it

Back in olden days there was a rock band called Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The Stills character (Steve) once broke off with a solo album and had a hit song called “Love the One You’re With.”

The chorus went like this: “So, If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”

Although Steve Stills surely wasn’t thinking that he’d end up on a blog of any kind, much less this one, his thinking applies to Rule #10. This is another one from Don MacMillan, whose musical preferences lie more with Springsteen than C,S,N&Y. Anyway…..

We often find ourselves in situations where we feel put upon to honor an obligation against our wishes. Maybe it’s an office party. Maybe it’s a cousin’s piano recital. Maybe it’s a school that our parents have enrolled us in that we’d rather not attend.

Regardless of what it is, it’s only natural to question whether getting out of it is a realistic or prudent option. If the answer comes up negative, then GET INTO IT. Take this approach, and chances are that two positive outcomes will occur:

1) You will derive unexpected benefit from the experience.
2) Time will pass more quickly.

So, if you can’t get out of it, get into it.

Onward,  Malcolm Gauld