Jenny scrambles to simultaneously pack her briefcase and the backpack the girls will take to daycare, trying not to mix items between the two. The last thing she needs is a set of finger paints for her client meeting today.
Hannah and Sarah are buzzing around the kitchen table, playing a new game with paper towel rolls. Four-year-old Hannah, with pigtails held together by butterfly clips, tugs at Jenny’s skirt and asks, “Mommy, can we go to the beach today?” It’s not an unusual request. The beach is one of their favorite places — Jenny included.
Maybe because it’s got the perfect sand and is never crowded; maybe it’s because visits are all too few. As tempting as the offer is, and as unseasonably gorgeous as this day is shaping up to be, the response comes quickly. ”Honey, not today. I have a meeting with a very important client today.”
Jenny is relieved when Hannah runs off to continue the game with her sister. With only five minutes before they need to be driving away, Jenny doesn’t have time for long-winded explanations. Not today. She scans the counter to make sure she’s not forgetting anything. Relieved that her cell phone is charged, she concludes that she’s “pretty sure” neither her briefcase nor the backpack is missing anything important. A quick look at her compact confirms that there’s nothing in her teeth and her hair looks decent, all things considered. That’s when she remembers the dry cleaning. If she doesn’t drop her dress off today, she’ll never get it back in time for the fundraising event. But where is it?
”Let’s go girls!” commands Jenny. “Get in the car — Mommy will be right out.” As Jenny ruches to see if she might have left the dress in the laundry room, Hannah drops a question that falls heavy on her heart. “Mommy, someday, when we grow up, can WE be one of your very important clients?”
This story was inspired by an old AT&T commercial touting the benefits of mobile devices that let busy moms work from anywhere — including the beach. I was in the audience when an award-winning advertising veteran described it as an example of a successful ad. “Did it convince you to buy anything from AT&T?” blurted out a skeptical audience member. “No,” the speaker admitted. “But it made me quit my job and completely transform my life and career so I could spend more time with my kids.” Wow.
Life balance looks different for everyone.
The only constants are that it’s always changing and it’s never easy. What IS easy is getting caught up in the hectic busyness of life, that place where time flies even though the days are long.
At this hurried pace, sometimes perspectives and priorities can be turned upside down. Even the most responsible, well-intentioned, well-adjusted adults need reminders sometime. No one in the history of ever has said this on their deathbed: “I just wish I would have spent more time at the office.”
However, people DO say that they wish they would’ve spent more time with loved ones, enjoying the perfect days.
Perfect days tend to come more often to those who haven’t confused the urgent with the important.
Jason Kotecki is an artist, author, and professional speaker. Jason and his wife Kim (a former kindergarten teacher) make it their mission in life to fight Adultitis and help people use strategies from childhood to design lives with less stress and more fun. Stop by www.EscapeAdulthood.com for more practical insights and fun ideas.
