Don't sweat the small stuff

There are two phrases you'll become quite acquainted with as the years go on; "Semper Gumby" AKA "Always Flexible" and "Hurry up and wait". Those are two favorites in the Corps.

Learn it... Live it... Embrace it.

Seriously, as hard as it may seem sometimes, Don't sweat the small stuff. You just need to learn to go with the flow.

The Marine Corps loves to wait till the last minute to give you orders. Weather they be for a work up, deployment or an PCS move, you most likley won't get them till the last minute.

The best way to deal?
Find humor everywhere.

I have been in some pretty crappy places, some pretty crappy situations, and forced myself to find some humor, somewhere. It helps you cope. It takes that sting out of the painful, awkward, or otherwise difficult moments in life. And humor is one of those conversations you can have with yourself because you always get your own jokes. As a side note, as much as it may pain you, never ridicule someone for a dark sense of humor. We aren't them and they aren't us, but we are just trying to get by.

I think Plato best puts this in perspective by saying,
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."