Watch for Falling Rocks

I’m finally on the shuttle out of middle-of-nowhere, CO and am recounting some of the things I’ve learned while I’ve been here. A good amount of them I was already well aware of, but some of these words of wisdom have been epitomized in the last week.

Watch for falling rocks. I am no clearly no expert on what to do if you encounter a rock or boulder with your car, but I might be more inclined to pay more (any?) attention to these signs from now on. There is a possibility that this could preclude you from needing to know the rest.

Don’t sweat the small things, or moreover, things that are out of your control. I am a strong believer that people are able to choose their overall morale and attitude. Stressing out or getting angry (albeit warranted in some situations) really isn’t going to help any situation. It is more likely to ruin your day/week/weekend/etc. This was reinforced this past week when although my car was pretty screwed up and I was stuck in a strange town, I was thankful that my retirement plan and estate weren’t being allocated in my stead. Make the best of your situation.

Being polite and courteous gets you a long way (bonus: also has a positive effect on your disposition!). To name a few: free lift tickets, employee discounts, rides, free drinks, and people going out of their way to help you get what you need and get you where you need to be.

The concept of tipping well is akin to being polite and courteous. If you are willing to extend incentives in the forms which someone needs most, they are more likely to help you out as well. In a mountain town, tips are the bulk of many peoples’ incomes. This is a modest trade for the things you may need as a tourist.