What am I Supposed to Learn?

When life throws curves, I was taught to pay attention. It may not be fun but there should be a lesson there. My parents didn't tell me what to do. They would ask, "What are you going to do?"

I'm asking myself this question these days.

In 6th grade, I shared the spelling answers with the student who sat next to me. I was trying to be nice but my report card had "CHEATED" written across it. It was humiliating and although it was 35 years ago, it still gives me shivers.

I've done the corporate thing, the small agency thing and owning my own business. All have provided valuable experience but I'm still not sure what I learned and if I learned enough.

I can maneuver through basic computer programs and I can find my way on the Internet. I can download songs, photos and other images. I can text. I still find myself way behind the learning curve.

Whores

Why don't we ever call men whores? I've known a few who have done everything short of selling their soul.

Years ago, when someone would ask a friend of mine what she did for a living, she would respond, "I'm an art whore." She's probably the most talented artist and creative person I've worked with but I loved it that she put it out there like that.

I've never been a traditional whore but I've been a writing whore. I've written flattering profiles of abysmal people because I was paid to do so. I've written speeches on subjects that I totally disagreed with. I got paid. I've written brochure copy for products that I don't trust. In my corporate days, I often gave little pep talks to the team, all the while knowing some bad stuff was coming.

I am a whore no more.