Present Makes Perfect

{This "inspirational thought catalog" was given to me as a parting gift from 

ServiceMaster by a very sweet lady who loves office supplies as much as I do. 

It will always be on my desk, no matter where my desk is.}

Lately, I've been feeling like I'm burning the candle at both ends. Between my full-time job as Assistant Editor for MBQ and a Contributing Editor for MM, I've taken on freelance opportunities for the WMU, still doing social media here and there (not a full campaign but something) for Cordova Vision Center, and most recently, sharing Nerium as a side business (a very lucrative one at that! shameless plug that I just got promoted to a Director after only 40 days!). 

All of this still falls under the category of work, too. Then there's my family, my boyfriend, my friends, my social life, and of course, my relationship and walk with the Lord which I've actively been trying to strengthen through reading I Am A Church Member and consistently tithing for the first time in my life. OH, and being a Tone It Up gal, I've newly started making nearly all my own meals (for 5 small meals a day.. hello food-prep time) and working out more consistently. 

By the end of day, and especially the week, I tend to be an exhausted mess. I'm not a perfectionist by any means, but I do have a certain sense of "if I'm going to do it, I'm not going to do it halfway." This leads to the original sentiment of burning the candle at both ends. I've always been ambitious and anyone who knows me, knows that the best way to get me to succeed is to tell me I can't do something. Then my inner diva puffs up and says yells "watch me!"(very much a la Lorrie Morgan).

This morning I was chatting with JT about future opportunities and goals he has, and specific ones I have for my future. Then we always start talking about our future and dreams, hopes, and wants (anything is fair game from ideal houses and neighborhoods to jobs to church life and "extras" such as boats, cars, etc). This morning in particular, we both said wait a second. It's great that we're both so very motivated both individually and together, but we need to take a time out and start recognizing how great our current stage of life is.

This sounds cliche, but we both have very charmed lives and often take them for granted. I get the opportunity to live at home with my parents, something I cherish. I made my mom breakfast this morning before her big meeting because I wanted to, and was able to. Things like that are a rarity and won't always be possible in every stage of my life. I have a fabulous relationship with my sister that has grown tremendously (unfortunately due to JT working 24-hour Sunday shifts) and I tend to spend the whole day Sunday with her. I carpool with my dad to work out in the morning, and I even have a business with my mom now too (shout out Nerium). 

JT has the opportunity to work for Stryker, and pick up shifts at Jason's Deli making bank in tips and working overtime hours, possibly shadow career mentors, and network. He also bowls with friends weekly, comes to some of my Nerium meetings and helps me, makes time for date nights, visits with Granny and Dee before his morning work outs due to his schedule and is the godfather to a precious baby boy. 

Most of these things wouldn't be possible if we had gotten what we originally wanted. If I made more money, I might not live at home and spend the time growing these relationships. If JT worked normal hours, he wouldn't have time to network or make extra money on the side just because he can. 

We made the decision to keep each other accountable to enjoying the present and not always wishing it away for the next stage of life. Because both of us will tell you, the here and now is pretty darn great. Exhaustion and all. (Ironically, Emily Maynard wrote about the same topic today too. God works in mysterious ways, I tell you.)

Mama said...

...there'd be days, like this, my mama said.

-The Shirelles 

 

{our cold brewed coffee at Tamp & Tap}

Yesterday was just an ordinary day, but it turned out to be one for the books. It started off earlier than normal because I had the opportunity to speak to a newspaper class at Hutchison High School. It went well, and then I scooted over to a Germantown Chamber meeting for the magazine we publish for them. Afterward, I made the trek downtown to my office, and soon noticed there wasn't much on my agenda (rare considering we're in the middle of production for MBQ and Memphis mag). 

With pangs in my stomach and cravings in my head, all I wanted was to meet up with someone and go to lunch (shout out to Mere and Emmsbemms whose lunch rendezvous leave me insanely jealous). In vain, I texted a few people who were either at work, out of town, or otherwise engaged. That's when I decided I'd try my wonderful mama.

 

{our VisionSouce trip to Maui, Hawaii in January 2011}

For those who don't know, my mom is an optometrist and VP of a non-profit to boot, so her day off (Wednesday) is usually stacked with appointments and various errands no where close to downtown. That's why I assumed she'd be way too busy to trek downtown to grab a long lunch. To my delight, her schedule had opened up and she met me at Tamp & Tap.

 

{when we walked the St. Jude 5k to be near Emily as she 

ran the half marathon in December 2012}

We ordered, ate, sipped cold brewed coffee and chatted about life, love and how I shouldn't be turning 24 this fall since she hasn't aged a bit. It was one of those rare lunches where no one had anywhere else to be and we could stay as long as we wanted. Sadly, I can't recall the last time it was just my mom and me for a meal out. It was a rare treat, and certainly a highlight. One of those moments you know you'll look back on and say, "Remember when..."

As we left, I said I was surprised she had time to come downtown for lunch. Her response couldn't have been a better life lesson (crazy how mama's are full of these little lessons). She said, "I had so many things I knew I needed to do, but thought, 'I better grab life's joy while I can.'"

So get out there and grab life's joy, while you can. 

#LuluLessons

 

{lulu's birthday in 2012}