Self-control.
Everybody knows what it is, but nobody can master it.
I’ve been thinking the past few weeks quite a bit about that concept, and for all that time I haven’t come up with one great way to apply it to my life.
I find myself constantly reassuring my conscience it is OK to take an hour to do as I wish when the rest of the day is filled with work, school and more work.
All of my friends are well budgeted with time and money. We aren’t a group of big spenders, and most of the time we are responsible. However, there are the few and most often inconvenient occasions when I or they go overboard. Chalk it up to lack of self-control or more possibly the need for something satisfying.
Keep in mind I’m not simply talking about spending money, but rather doing something that is not necessary or the most wise. Things that can include spending money on a great daily moisturizer (I mean we all know how expensive that can get) or watching some really lame but greatly appreciated mind-numbing television. Most recently ‘Rock of Love with Bret Michaels’ has tickled my fancy.
We all have busy and hectic lives, ones filled with work, school and laundry, but those things can’t be what life is all about. I for one am not content to have a love affair with the bear on my fabric softener bottle.
I’ve decided in order to live, really live, you have to sacrifice.
For example, I’ve gone to dinner a few times this past week with one of my BFFs knowing I didn’t have the extra cash or time, but it was what I wanted to do and so I did. Now I must live with the consequences of lack of funds and a worse grade on a quiz for which I wasn’t as well prepared.
Is it worth the sacrifice? My answer is yes. I may not have an A in a class, but at least I have enjoyed what little time I have here.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a tree-hugging-let’s-not-shave-our-legs-to-save-the-earth-from-plastic-razors girl; I’m more of the let’s-make-lists-to-make-sure-we-get-everywhere-on-time kind of girl. I know rules have purpose, and structure is great.
I guess what it really boils down to is whether your goals should coincide with society: to graduate get a good job and save all the fun stuff for when you retire, or should you have as much fun as often as you can and worry about the rest when it comes.
Let’s face it guys, some things you can’t put off until you have grandkids.
The “fam” would most definitely tell me to chase the former goal, and as much as I love and appreciate their advice I can’t help but play the whole you’re not promised tomorrow card. I know it’s a cliche, but I like it, so tough.
So I commend all of you that keep a tight schedule and do all the assigned work.
I, however, am content to have a vague idea of what’s going on in class and run for the door when time is up.
After all, didn’t you know Jesus was a hippie too?
