You put your left hand in, you put your left hand out, you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around...

We all know the song, but is that really what it's all about?

Life is beautiful and beautifully difficult. It's graceful and clumsy, unique and monotonous. Life is generous and a thief, memorable and forgettable. Life is a story. Handcrafted, raw, and exclusive. Some parts we write, others are written for us, but when the hard cover exterior closes at the end will you be satisfied with the outcome?

As I am getting older I'm trying to find the meaning of it all. If the hokey pokey is what it's all about, shouldn't we follow the lead, put our head in and shake it all about? Literally, I picture myself pinching a nerve in my neck while I shake it all around (spoken from experience with the one time I tried to head bang as a teenager). Figuratively , I'm trying to think logically about what I want in life. We spend so much of our life making money to pay for the things we need (or think we need) and not enough time doing the things our soul craves. The meaning of life has become so misguided and strangled by monetary holds. Smiles, laughter, willingness, creativity, family, friends, support, and experiences are what we need. Endless hours of work, housework, errands, obligations, and commitments are what we all too often get. I don't know about you, but my to do list is a self rotating one of laundry, emptying the dishwasher, work, organizing, food shopping, and all of the other weekly chores. On the low end, for the last 15 years at 5 hours a week of just house chores (and let's be honest 5 hours is laughable when we all know how much time goes into it all) I have spent close to 4,000 hours - over 160 total days - on things that give me no real long term reward. Now I'm not saying that we should all stop cleaning, cooking, etc., but doesn't that put time into perspective a little?

Time. As children we spend a good portion of our life wishing it away and even as adults we continue the tradition, especially Monday to Thursday. The problem is, if we live weekend to weekend, are we short changing ourselves of all the extra good stuff? I am desperately trying to hold onto time. Grasping onto the moments while they somehow slip through my unmanicured fingers.

Reminder: I need to add that to my to do list 😉

Let's get serious (now would be a good point to cue the sappy music). Today is the only today you will get, so instead of wishing it away for tomorrow, why not fill your lungs fully with air and grab onto the next 24 hours rather than lock them away without the key? Furthermore, if all the worlds a stage, then why are we not Meredith and Cristina dancing it out when things get boring, mundane, or rough? If dancing it out has a purpose in life, then perhaps the hokey pokey has it right.

If there is anything that I have learned from that old familiar childhood song, it is to put yourself as a priority in your life. Live your life fully, not partially. Set goals and achieve them, hold yourself accountable and believe them. Be in the moment, don't live it behind a screen or covered by the dollar bill. We get one chance, one opportunity so put your whole self in, shake it all around, dance it out on your stage, and experience what it's all about.

Until next time,

One Cool Nerd Mommy

Copyright One Cool Nerd Mommy 2017

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