Life's Lessons Are All Around Us

So, this past week I've been in the Big Easy celebrating Mardi Gras with some of my closest friends.  While down there I was struck by how attending parades seemed to reflect life.

For example, you have 2 basic types of parade-goers, the preparers and those who just show up.  These 2 main groups also have sub-groups.  For those who just show up, you have those who are content to take what they can get, those who bully their way to the front, and those who simply expect the front row to be given unto them.  The preparers also have subgroups.  You have those who go all out with the food, bathrooms, chairs, umbrellas, police tape, etc to mark their turf, and those who just show up early and stand around.  Across both of these you have those who stand their ground to the bullies and the whiners and those who just give up what they've worked for in the face of either aggression or whining.

As with the rest of life in this country, even if you just show up, you can find a good spot.  It might not be on the best stretch of street, it may not be in the front row, but if you look long enough, put in the work, you can find a spot and catch a lot of beads. 

My favorite of all parade-going groups is the kids.  They have fun.