In all of the hustle and bustle of life, it is really easy to become overwhelmed. I have always tried to keep my head above water, but when you’re doing all that you can do and still end up underwater… What can you do? The other day, it felt as though there was bad news every hour on the hour. I am a student mind you, and will be graduating next month. I never have a day off, and have been burning the candle at each end the entire time I have been attending college. For most people this is a common thing. Eventually, you just have a breakdown. Although I work seven days a week, on this particular day it felt as though that were not enough. How is it that I work every single day and have no money for these things? I just felt like a failure.
In that moment, all I wanted was to see my mom. I called her and of course balled my eyes out. She dropped everything in her day and came over to take me out to lunch. I remember listening to her pep talk and thinking, “Wow, my mom is a life coach.” She gave me a boost. She also bought me a new battery for my car. I hate handouts, and I really do not like asking my parents for money, but she insisted.
It is amazing how easy it is to forget what life is truly about, and to be consumed by work, money, and meaningless things that occupy our time. Seeing my mom made me realize how much I miss her and how I need to see her more often after I graduate next month. When I think about everything special in my life… It is not my possessions or how much money I have. What is special to me is my family, my friends, my cat, and the feeling I get when teaching in the classroom. I need to learn to how to stay calm and not stress as much. This is easier said than done of course.
So, now you have to give yourself a night off and enjoy time with one of your favorite people. Vent to them. Cry to them. Let them hold you. Laugh as much as you can. Either way recharge your battery and enjoy what really matters in your life. I will leave you with this quote from one of my favorite films starring Michael Keaton, Mr. Mom. In this scene, his wife is overworking herself and he is telling her how much she is missing out on at home with the family. He says this simple but so perfect line to her that gets me every time. “It’s real easy to forget what’s important. So don’t.” Enjoy your time with your family and be good to yourself because in the end that’s all that matters.
