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In our society, we've become accustomed to the idea of, essentially, going non-stop to the point of exhaustion and calling it success. We don't take time to rest, eat properly, spend time with loved ones or just relax. We focus on the work, whether as part of a job, community service, hobbies, or whatever, and don't really take the time to care for ourselves.
Yes, it's important to be able to have the means to afford food, clothing, shelter and other necessities. It's good to be able to have the money to go on trips and buy those extras we might like to have to make us more comfortable. But, what good is any of that if we work ourselves so hard we don't have the opportunity to enjoy any of it?
We are all here on this planet for a finite amount of time. None of us know when that day will come. Yet, we push ourselves to overload because we've convinced ourselves it will be worth it in the end.
We've all had a difficult couple of years, with a worldwide pandemic, lockdowns, losing loved ones, etc. If anything, it should show us even more what's truly important as we go through our lives.
We can never truly take care of ourselves, or the people we care about, if we're only focusing on one aspect of our lives. There needs to be a balance for everything. Is it really worth it to push ourselves to the brink of nothing and then not be there for the rest?
Take the vacation. Use your days off. Spend time with family and friends. Go for a bicycle ride or a walk. Clear your head.
In addition to all that, we must recognize when certain things are no longer good for us.
Sometimes, the job we've always dreamed of having is no longer a good fit for what we want to do in our lives. Sometimes people no longer connect the way they once did. Organizations may not be what they once were. It's OK to re-examine those aspects of our lives to see whether we still want them to be part of us.
I believe we are put into certain situations, meet certain people or go down a certain path for a reason. It could be for our entire lives, or it could be for only a little while. We gain knowledge and experiences as a result, which is valuable, but there are times where we have to move on in order to continue learning.
If we feel bogged down, there is nothing wrong with lightening the load. In fact, there are many instances where doing so will save us from being pulled under.
There is nothing wrong with being dedicated to something, but you have to watch closely and see if that same type of dedication is returned. None of us want to feel used, unwanted or unappreciated.
I'm sure this is something that has crossed all of our minds at one point or another. In the mad rush of today's societal "norms" it's bound to happen.
It's good to take that time. It's good to reflect and reassess where we are and where we want to be. What are our goals for the future? Surely they've changed over time as we've taken steps through our lives. Do we feel alive? Are we happy?
Ultimately, that's what matters. It's not how much money you've made, or how well known you are.
It's about whether you are fulfilled and happy, whether you've made a positive difference for others, and whether you've truly lived in your life. How many of us can say that these days?
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)