Once upon a time in the land of sunshine and Mountain Dew a squinty-eyed boy named Nick had this funny notion that if he was a good boy, worked hard, stood up for what was right, told the truth, and saved his pennies that someday life would “get easy.” Nick frolicked in a meadow of daffodils and pixie sticks all day long and at night had dreams of three week vacations, picturesque holidays with his family, and a house with a detached garage for his woodshop. 
The next morning Nick woke up and was five years out of college working 50 hours a week (but getting paid for 40) with rent, a car loan, and student loan payments that resembled his parents’ mortgage. He did not frolick and the only meadows he crossed were filled with crab grass and empty beer cans. At night, his dreams were plagued with thumping as the upstairs neighbors had yet another 2 a.m. Dance, Dance Revolution party right above his bed. “How did I get here?” he thought.
This story is not uncommon. Many of us build up a notion of an ‘ideal’ life full of dreams, possibilities, and hope. Then reality sets in and the inescapable demands of life come to bear. There really is no such thing as a free lunch.
When the bubble bursts it can be a painful transition from illusion to the real world of consequences and difficult choices – but it does not have to be hopeless. Despite the hard work the real world can and does possess many beautiful attractions and it is possible to get a handle on the juggling act that is life.
The important part is perspective.
It is easy to let the reality of life consume you. When your boss puts the pressure on to win a big case, win over the big client, lead your students to achieve the next standardized benchmark it is easy to get tunnel vision. When bills come too frequently and payday not soon enough, it’s hard to be patient with the girl scouts selling cookies. When you are stressed from work, hounded to volunteer at church, and overwhelmed by the growing ‘to do’ list around the house, it’s hard to take 10 minutes and play legos with your kids.
But those are the moments that matter. When the duff is swept away the path to happiness is not centered in careers, profit margins, or plaques on the wall. Rather it is in the relationships that we have with the people in our lives, ourselves, and God that matter most. Jobs can come and go, organizations rise and fall, and fortunes are won and lost every day – but quality relationships can last a lifetime.
An hour ago I would have told you that my day sucked. Pressures at work, concerns over money, and a general lack of hours in the day to accomplish what I feel I must, started to weigh me down. But then I realized – in 9 days I will be getting married to the most wonderful woman in the world. I am blessed with a family who loves me, and I have some of the best friends a guy could ask for.
Not such a bad day after all. Which is the point really. If we have the right mindset it’s easy to have a good day. The challenge is to find and keep that mindset in the forefront of the mind.
The next morning Nick woke up and was five years out of college working 50 hours a week (but getting paid for 40) with rent, a car loan, and student loan payments that resembled his parents’ mortgage. He did not frolick and the only meadows he crossed were filled with crab grass and empty beer cans. At night, his dreams were plagued with thumping as the upstairs neighbors had yet another 2 a.m. Dance, Dance Revolution party right above his bed. “How did I get here?” he thought.
This story is not uncommon. Many of us build up a notion of an ‘ideal’ life full of dreams, possibilities, and hope. Then reality sets in and the inescapable demands of life come to bear. There really is no such thing as a free lunch.
When the bubble bursts it can be a painful transition from illusion to the real world of consequences and difficult choices – but it does not have to be hopeless. Despite the hard work the real world can and does possess many beautiful attractions and it is possible to get a handle on the juggling act that is life.
The important part is perspective.
It is easy to let the reality of life consume you. When your boss puts the pressure on to win a big case, win over the big client, lead your students to achieve the next standardized benchmark it is easy to get tunnel vision. When bills come too frequently and payday not soon enough, it’s hard to be patient with the girl scouts selling cookies. When you are stressed from work, hounded to volunteer at church, and overwhelmed by the growing ‘to do’ list around the house, it’s hard to take 10 minutes and play legos with your kids.
But those are the moments that matter. When the duff is swept away the path to happiness is not centered in careers, profit margins, or plaques on the wall. Rather it is in the relationships that we have with the people in our lives, ourselves, and God that matter most. Jobs can come and go, organizations rise and fall, and fortunes are won and lost every day – but quality relationships can last a lifetime.
An hour ago I would have told you that my day sucked. Pressures at work, concerns over money, and a general lack of hours in the day to accomplish what I feel I must, started to weigh me down. But then I realized – in 9 days I will be getting married to the most wonderful woman in the world. I am blessed with a family who loves me, and I have some of the best friends a guy could ask for.
Not such a bad day after all. Which is the point really. If we have the right mindset it’s easy to have a good day. The challenge is to find and keep that mindset in the forefront of the mind.
Good Luck and Safe Travels.
**For a soundtrack to accompany this post check out Jason LeVasseur’s song, “I’m in the mood for a good day.”
