Duty

Day 71. Duty.

In our youth, we had it all planned out. We were going to go to college, get great jobs, marry someone wonderful, have beautiful children, take long vacations in wonderful places, and live happily ever after. Wow. Who were we kidding?

Why had such a promising world been crucified on the tree of obligation, thorned by duties, hanged by hypocrisy, smothered by customs? Richard Bach, The Bridge Across Forever

So we accomplished most of our goals. Education, check. Job, check. Family, check. Fun times, check. Screeching halt, check. What the heck just happened? How did we end up here, on the couch? Why are we spending more hours at the office, dreading to go home? Why do we avoid family gatherings, in hopes of escaping the awkwardness? When did being a parent start to mean being a referee? Why does everything have to be so damn difficult?

I don't remember signing on for the crappy part of adulthood. I heard my grandmother tell me many times that someday I would wish to be a kid again. Man, she was right. The days of worrying about nothing but whose house we were going to spend Friday night at, and what movie we were going to see Saturday afternoon, I'd give good money to get them back. I'd trade the worries about taxes, healthcare expenses, and a mortgage for the stress of wondering what color corduroys were cool.

We all expect to give up things to be happy. We know there are sacrifices along the way. But I don't think any of us were prepared to be sitting where some of us are. Nobody explained that we'd give up such a big part of ourselves to make ourselves happy. No one wants to sacrifice the passion, the satisfaction we get from the love of another adult. But we do. None of us would willingly go without laughter, without the joy that comes from having someone to finish our sentences without even trying. But we do. We would not trade the shy smiles shared over breakfast, the silly grins exchanged as we hold hands walking down a quiet beach at sunset. But we do.

Happiness is a choice. It is not always an easy one. Richard Bach, Illusions

Lesson Seventy One: Do you find yourself in situations that you'd rather be somewhere else, ANYWHERE else? Are there moments when you are simply running in place, not moving forward or back? Think about where you are, and where you want to be. You have a duty to yourself to fulfill your dreams.

659 to go...