Good Taste in People

 While I was talking to a co-worker the other day, we learned we knew several of the same people. Then she said one of the kindest things to me-"You have really good taste in people"   It's true, I do. If there is one special talent I have, I am an exceptional judge of character. This is not be confused with judgmental. I am many things, but judgmental I am not. I attribute this special talent to my professional experience. Prior to being a nurse, I was a bartender and you learn a lot about people in a short time after they've had a few drinks. Then I became a nurse, and an ER nurse at that. Everyday, I deal with sociopaths, drug addicts, multiple personality disorders, and manipulative behaviors to name a few. Mixed in with these, you have the WWII vets whose pride outweighs their sense of reason and will insist nothing is wrong when you can tell they are sicker than any other patient in the department. You learn to pick up on a few behaviors. You learn to tell who's telling the truth and who's lying through their teeth. And after you get attacked by a patient. or have your life threatened on multiple occasions, your fight or flight response heightens. You learn whose company to keep and whose company to put away.
     I made a very hard decision a long time ago to rid toxic people from my life. I read a quote once which said you are most like the five closest people to you- choose wisely. And it's true. I didn't want to be described as the nice girl who hangs with the mean girls or (heaven forbid) the opposite. So I walked away from some toxic relationships. It was hard. Some of them felt like a divorce, but in the long run, I'm a much happier person. I'm a firm believer in the "Golden Rule". I believe that if I expect anything from anyone, I better be able and willing to do 10 times more for them. I believe that if you invest in your relationships, they will nurture and develop you in the long run. And I believe if you surround yourself with wonderful people, you, too, will become a wonderful person. It's true, I have good taste in people. And chances are, if you're reading this, you're a good person too. Here are just a few of my "good people". Love.