5 hugs a day. and other little-big things that matter.

My dad always has said that everyone should get and give at least 5 hugs a day.

I grew-up believing that’s true. And I still do. To that end, I am one of the least-restrained huggers you’ll ever meet. (Although I’ve learned that unsolicited hugs freak some people out, so I’m respectful of that.)

My point? Hugs matter. As much as – if not more than – other “high profile” priorities, like submitting the quarterly report on time, getting the kids to soccer practice, and cleaning out the garage every spring (although, admittedly, that feels really good).

On his blog, The Simple Dollar, fwm contributor and financial expert, Trent Hamm, wrote a recent post about this very thing, called The Things Money Can’t Buy. It’s a great read. And a great perspective – especially from someone who spends his days focused on finances.

Hugs are quick, free, easy. Yet, for their small effort, they impart a significant worth on those who give and get them. I know. I grew-up with parents who gave them freely, and often. Because it mattered to them to do so. And today, it matters to me.

So tell me – what little-big thing(s) matter(s) to you?

Purpose.

Some may not agree with me. But I think more than not do.

I am a firm believer that each of us is gifted with specific talents, and a purpose for which we are to use them. And, to add to that thought, I believe our greatest joys in life come from following those talents, that purpose.

Not that the path is all rosy when we do, but it has meaning. Direction.

Certainly, I’ve wandered off my path more often than not. But I guess my point is that, when I’m on the path, I know it. And it feels right.

I have talents and a purpose as a mother, a wife, an employee, a friend, a daughter, a sister, an aunt.

And, as pertains to what we’re doing here at fwm, what truly matters to me is finding my gifts and reason for being in each of those roles. And doing my very best to fulfill them.

At the end of the day, that’s what I want my life to stand for.

Little else matters to me.

Working From Home: You Telecommuters Have It Made!

In my oft-mentioned past life as a M-F 9-5 corporate gal, I would occasionally glance up from my desk and notice that not everyone got up, got pretty, and drove off somewhere to spend the day awash in fluorescent light. Their lives always looked so nice.

I assumed it would reduce the daily workload. Now that a part of my work life is spent in a home office, nary a fluorescent bulb in sight (I’m pasty enough as it is, thank you) I see that in some ways, it merely shuffles the workload and blurs the lines. And…I like it.

My husband recently made the critical error of coming home, exhausted, wearing a quizzical what-did-you-do-today? look. I suppose it was in response to the undone dishes and multi-room havoc inflicted by an active kindergartener with drive, determination, and nothing but time. Had I tossed out self control and answered the unspoken question, it would have been:

I got up at 5 and worked uninterrupted until 7 (bliss), went back to bed until 7:45 (even better), drove my son to school, got a haircut, grocery shopped, got back in time for my 9:30 conference call, worked steadily, stopping only to let in a repairman who charged roughly double what we had budgeted (much pulling out of freshly-cut hair), picked up my little treasure at noon, fed him lunch and me breakfast, put in some laundry, bribed aforementioned treasure to stay quiet for my 3:00 teleconference, sent several emails, wrote a report, returned phone calls, and gave scant thought to dinner preparation.

Here is the bright side: 90 minutes I once spent commuting made for a nice evening watercolor painting session with my son (that was the bribe—he loves to paint). And the dishes did eventually get done. So, as an office worker on the outside looking in, I may have had some misconceptions about working from home, but I was right about one thing: it is so nice.

Working From Home: Work/Life Interrupted

This week has been interesting.

Aside from the typical challenges of working from home -- removing the french fry wedged in my laptop, keeping my dog quiet during conference calls, and dispelling the myth firmly held by my husband that I have plenty of time during the day to tackle our to-do list – this week was teacher conference week at my boys’ school.

Which means three half-days of school, from 8:45-12:25. (Effectively for my schedule, once I build-in drop-off and pick-up, 9-noon.)

To add to the creative work scheduling, both my boys, poor guys, had to stay home sick, each on a different day.

All of this combined to leave me with lots more work than work hours. A challenging spot, especially for a semi-obsessive to-do-lister.

In contrast, one of my coworkers has been behind closed doors all week, working on a colossal project, barely coming out to refill his coffee. Not that he probably sees his current situation as a bed of roses. But for some reason, dare I say it?, I’m slightly, well, jealous.

I love being a mom, I do. I really do. And I am entirely thankful to be at home with and for my boys. But, this week, there is this small little vicious and selfish bundle nestled somewhere near my spleen that is yelling, "I WANT A FULL DAY OF UNINTERRUPTED WORK!!!"

Can anyone relate? Please?