Your Life-Team Strategist

A series of thoughts occurred to me as I was catching up on some TV.  Sometimes "reality" can really spark the brain to see things a little more clearly.  

1. Life is a battle.
   
2. Choose your battle buddies wisely.  You are going to need a Life-Team to support you.  This team will consist of many people in different roles, such as the Confidante, the Fashionista, the Religious Reminder, and so on.  (You know people who fit these roles, don't you?)  But the one that should be handled more carefully than any other is your Strategist.
   
3. When someone is put in front of you who is resourceful, insightful and intelligent, make that person your Life Team "Strategist" among your battle buddies, admire their skills and, most definitely, value their advice and opinions.  Recognize this person; everyone needs one.  Without a Strategist, things will fall apart, one by one.
   
4. When your Strategist brings something to your attention that you don't happen to like hearing or seeing, take a step back and remember you need your Strategist in your life more than the Strategist needs you.  And Strategists will remind you of this as often as you need to be reminded.
   
5. Your Strategist is going to remember everything you say and do, and it will all come back to haunt you when you least expect it.  The Strategist will give you the best and worst case in every situation and guide you to the best decisions.  Don't let this bother you.  That's their role, that's their job.
   
6. Don't force the hand of your Strategist.  This person knows better than you do when to hold 'em, fold 'em, walk away, and run.  And yes, the Strategist already knows how much money you have on the table.  That's their job.  They can usually count cards, too.  Just so you know.
   
7. Don't ever piss your Strategist off.  Remember:  That person is more resourceful, insightful and intelligent than you; that's why you snagged that person in the first place.
   
8. If you successfully piss off your Strategist enough times, those resourceful, insightful and intelligent traits you once adored will suddenly become your worst nightmare.
   
9. 9 times out of 10, this Strategist will be a woman.
   
10. 10 times out of 10, your Strategist will double her abilities, if for no other reason than to just to get under your skin.
    
    
    "... So are the Days of our Lives..."