A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

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Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
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More recessionary pleasures…

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During the boom times, I enjoyed partying in VIP like the rest of my friends. We kicked it hard in South Beach, in LA, in NYC. After work, life was a about finding the next best party. It didn’t matter whether the party was local or across the country. We would find it. And, we would kick it.

Our fun was a series of champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Even men without real money seemed to find a ways to show us a good time. It was fun and we liked it.

However, the recession crashed that party and gave us a dose of reality that we had not expected. Still, I have found that pleasures are all around. Below are some of them that I have noticed recently.

1. Walking down the street and catching the glimpse of a perfect cloud.
2. Enjoying an impromptu party with left over treats from your pantry or
refrigerator.
3. Reading a book in the park under the sun…
4. Taking a walk along the beach (or along one of the Pittsburgh rivers or
Highland Park Reservoir).
5. Sharing a bottle of wine, cheese and grapes…
6. Sitting on the patio with your favorite kissing partner…
7. Taking in a movie in the park with a group of friends…
8. Going for a drive with the windows down with the wind in your face or in a
convertible if you’re lucky…
9. Attending an outdoor festival and savoring the sights and smells…
10. Walking down the street licking an ice cream cone like you were a kid…

I cannot wait until the economy rebounds. However, I pray that I continue appreciating these inexpensive bouts of joy after the money is flowing again. They are really a lot of fun...
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