Some days at work I have to remind myself that I'm not a doctor. Lives do not depend on my actions. It is not the end of the world if I divide by 2 instead of multiplying by 0.5.
Some days it seems like a competition for who can be the most busy, the most stressed out, the most challenged. Some days it seems like a competition for whose job is the least fun. And interesting enough, many concede to my victory without even being asked. So-and-so will come in to my office with the lead-in "I know your problems are bigger than mine, but I need your help."
Why is there such a competition over who can be the worst off? It's not just at work. My kids sleep worse than yours. They have more activities and I spend way more time than you do driving them around. My husband helps less than yours. My heat is more expensive. My income is lower. My mortgage is higher. My taxes are higher. My parents are crazier. My boss is meaner. My company is worse. I work more/earlier/later. My commute is longer. My car requires more servicing. I pay more for my kid's college. My dog throws up more. I'm so busy that I can only talk to you in the car or while I'm walking to the mailbox or while I'm cleaning up dog puke. You couldn't possibly understand how busy I am.
Well, today I declare that I lose.
My job is busy and stressful and I work a lot. But I don't work as much as some, I like my job, and most of all, I have a job. So clearly I lose.
My kids are many and loud and they sleep less than I'd like. But I get more hugs, more love, and more appreciation of the wonder and awe of the little things in life. What ARE stars made of? So clearly I lose.
My mortgage is high and my heat is expensive. Surprisingly, these things both relate to the fact that I live in a big house that I love. I love my house. I love my giant ugly jacuzzi tub that's brown with brass fixtures. So clearly I lose.
My commute is only 30 minutes. I actually like the 30 minutes. I take deep breaths and listen to NPR and count backwards from 100 while letting my crazy day escape me. And on most Fridays I work at home and have no commute at all except to get from my bedroom to my office. So clearly I lose.
My parents are crazy (sorry guys) but they are financially stable and they don't pop in without calling. I definitely lose there.
My husband treats me like a princess and does all the household chores and manages to get the kids to and from school on a mostly daily basis. That's not even a contest!
I am, quite possibly, the luckiest person I know. I am thankful that I recognize that. I'm also thankful to recognize that for the most part, it's not luck.
Maybe I don't lose after all.
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