nobody asked…

Years ago I developed several new friends and acquaintances after moving to a new condo. One of the most interesting was the one people jokingly referred to as “the bird lady.” She sauntered around the loop of the Versailles complex every evening, with a cigarette in one hand, a drink, usually scotch-on-the-rocks or coffee, in the other, and a beautiful parrot sitting untethered on her shoulder. She smiled and nodded and spoke to all she passed but never became engaged in conversation. The neighbors just rolled their eyes knowingly, smiled secretly, muffled their laughter, and continued what they were doing.

On a particularly pleasant Sunday afternoon I decided to wash the crud off my car. Washing and rinsing and chamois drying at a leisurely pace, paying no attention to my surroundings, lost deep in thought about some mysterious subject like “why cauliflower?”, I was startled when a nearby voice said “When you’re done there you can wash mine.” There was “bird lady” right behind me, not ten feet away, smiling, then cackling at my surprised look. That was good for a couple of laughs and the start of a conversation and friendship.

Volumes could be written about her and that relationship — but maybe another time. This is about the four rules she lived by and passed on to me. I found them to be quite adequate, neatly summarizing in few words the complexity that had over the years become my own personal philosophy of life and code of conduct. Originally intended for interpersonal relationships, the four rules needed enhancement or expansion for application to business and worklife. So I added my own four rules to make a total of eight. They have served me well over the years and I recommend them here for your consideration.

Show Up
Pay Attention
Be Honest
Play Fair

Work Hard
Take Responsibility
Honor Commitments
Mind Your Own Business

I have no idea what ever happened to “the bird lady of Versailles,” but I am grateful for having known her and for her simple but elegant rules for living.