Words of wisdom from @SteveMartinToGo that bear repeating:

How to Make Small Talk -

Fantastic advice! 💯

🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃🦃

Another year, another 5K in the books! My time wasn’t very good today, but I had fun, and it gives me something to achieve next year.

That’s the path I walk today. I move past and overcome the hurts, pains, disappointments and regrets, and choose to lead with love, mindfulness and forgiveness. You can, too. 13/13

You can remember the depth associated with that hurt, that pain, that disappointment, that negativity, that toxicity, that betrayal…and then choose healthy ways, going forward, to insulate yourself and safeguard your peace, serenity and mental well-being. 12/13

I forgave this couple, and many others, a longtime ago for their repugnant behavior and hateful comments. However, I certainly haven’t forgotten. And that’s the lesson here: you can forgive others, but that doesn’t mean you can…or should...forget. 11/13

To this day, these two have never apologized to me, and the same can be said for dozens of other former friends, colleagues and family members who unnecessarily and inexplicably ganged up on me at that time. Absolutely appalling. 10/13

Just as with today, all I got was the #GenZStare (even though she is #GenX) and a few incoherent stammers, and I certainly did not receive an apology. 9/13

— I didn’t appreciate her and her husband’s abhorrent behavior; they had no right to say such things about me and involve themselves in a situation that didn’t concern them; and their comments were 100% unacceptable. 8/13

Fast forward six years to 2017, and I saw this woman at a client appreciation event at my fitness studio after she and her husband joined. As I was setting my dish down at the potluck table, and after exchanging pleasantries, I told her — calmly, but firmly and emphatically 7/13

For no reason! They joined a litany of my ex-wife’s friends, co-workers and even my own family members in inserting themselves into deeply personal, highly-sensitive matters that were, frankly, was none of their business. That was incredibly hurtful and painful to me. 6/13

Then my divorce happened, and this woman/her ignorant, dumb-as-a-box-of-rocks hubby elected to take my wife’s side (no surprise there), and spew a bunch of hate, venom and vitriol online about me: lies, massive assumptions, highly-disparaging statements, and vile names. 5/13

She is a former co-worker of my ex-wife, and I know her/her husband well; she still works at the same company now. Back in the day, my ex-wife and I used to socialize with this couple after biz hours, and we even took several trips together, along with other co-workers. 4/13

She never mentioned my name, and she didn’t utter another word to me the entire time. My reaction? I just shrugged and went on my merry way. 3/13

and then I realized I know her. She is a longtime client, but she is not a regular in this class. I was surprised to see her. I greeted her by name and asked her how she was doing, and all I got in return was the cold, blank, hard #GenZStare and a perfunctory “Fine.” 2/13

FORGIVE, BUT DON’T FORGET: I got up at 5:00 a.m. this morning, as I do every Tuesday and Thursday, for my group strength training class at @GetCutFitness. After staking out my space in the front of the room with my mat and foam roller, a woman set herself beside me… 1/13

And once you do, you’ll be amazed at the vast amount of peace and serenity you will suddenly have…simply by not having to deal with their negativity, gaslighting, manipulation and narcissistic behaviors.

Eli Mannjng.

Happy #InternationalMensDay to all the awesome dads, grandfathers, brothers, and other amazing guys out there getting it done, being their best selves, taking care of their partners/families, making positive contributions all over, and being wonderful role models to others! 😃