Writer's Workshop Wednesday ~ Michelle Lumpkin

When I finished high school I had big dreams.  I was going to finish college and begin climbing that corporate ladder that was so slippery for many women.  I was able to finish college in a little over 3 years while working part time.  I then finished my MBA in less than 2 years while working full time.  I have always been happy being busy.

Fast forward to today.  I am in the middle of my big dream.  I am climbing the corporate ladder but it comes with a price I never contemplated before.  The price is valuable time with my children.  Reality is my plans never included finding that perfect man and creating 3 perfect children.  Now by perfect I mean perfect for us.  We are by no means perfect that is for sure. 

I never dreamed I would be where I was now toying with the balance each and every day.  There are days I wish it could be different.  Days I wish I was able to be home with my children every day they come home from school.  However, there are just as many days that I am thankful I have a double duty in life.  I am able to add value in both of my roles.

With these conflicting feelings I have found that I am good at pretending.  On the surface I have it all together.  I can do it all.  But really I am just sprinkling goodness on top of all the not so good.  Think of it like coffee.  It can often taste bitter and unappealing but with some sugar and creamer you can cover it up and muster it down. This is how I feel most days.  I just cover it up and figure it out.  I bet there are a lot of you that can relate to that.  Some are noggin your heads now.

Until recently when I began to look at when I would feel the need to sugar things up and I quickly realized that it was when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough.  I wanted to be the all to every piece of my life.  I wanted to be the super cool mom with super cool ideas.  I wanted to be the best wife. I wanted to be the awesome boss.  I wanted to be the awesome employee.  Then I read something that clicked.  Sometimes being “good enough” is ok.  Sometimes just the fact you were there, or remembered is enough.  Everything I do doesn’t have to have rockstar potential. 

Alone time with my kids doesn’t have to be a magical vacation.  A 5 minute conversation before bed is extremely magical.

I don’t need to be a fancy cook or baker to make my kids happy at the next school function.

We don’t have to go to every single school function…it is ok to not.

My work projects don’t need to be pristine..Completing them is enough.

Just doing

Just being

Just loving

Is enough.

Most of all….don’t fall into the pit of comparison.  Don’t compare yourself to other Moms. Bloggers, Co-Workers, Friends or family members.  The reality is….they may have more sugar and creamer than you do.