[alaskayorkie]

My .02:

Office politics and relationships can be exhausting and hurtful. The rumor and gossip mills can turn good people into ogres and give mean people a forum they would never have in another setting.

What turning 40 did to me was give me the courage to cut through the BS. To not explode at the insensitivity of others or jump up on my own soapbox and tell people in notes and innuendo why I'm right.

Now I talk to them. I treat them with respect, even the ogres and meanies. I find that doing that knocks down every barrier there is. I find that their feelings are always justified and that I usually missed something. And they find that I have a right to be upset. Together, we find a new respect for each other.

So, for me at least, turning 40 doesn't mean I care less. It means I care more, enough to solve the problems instead of making them worse.

Good luck.