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.”
AMEN!!! i thought I'd go to college, get a degree, then get a job. I am not paying rent on an apt, going ot seminary full time (more student loans), my SJC student loans didn't get deferred, my wife is having hip surgery and is only working part time and won't be able to work much post surgery for a while, i am married??, and we are paying all our bills and such on her meager salary as i couldn't find a job and am to overwhelmed at school to see how i could get a job....not really the "work and bank money away until im' married" idea i had in mind either....Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.""
ReplyDeleteMan....what a great, timely post. I had a mini-nervous breakdown about a million things on Tuesday, and was only able to calm myself by saying "hey....my band gets to play on Saturday".
ReplyDeleteNot quite as awesome as getting married to your best friend, but you're right.....perspective is key.
Aww...I've been stalking your blog and thought you'd given up on it, but just came across this post (and hope to see more!). And I can't tell you how many times I've run into walls at work recently (figuratively speaking) and thought that I couldn't handle one more life lesson. But then I get to spend splendid weekends around Chicagoland with great friends, or I just have a really good day and I remember..."Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." Or I hear Eduardo saying, "Tomorrow is another day!"
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with life, Nick, and love that you and Silver 1 are in it!