highly effective

One of my favorite books of all time is 7 habits of highly effective people, if you have never read this, really it is a multifaceted book that I always take away some new nugget of wisdom from. Now you may ask yourself, isn't this a blog about being a mom, not some high powered business executive, well yes you are right but in my experience this book really covers it all, plus isn't being a stay at home mom like running a small business in that you are either leading or managing the fleet of several people. Although the book is geared at business, it also has you look at how pro-active you are, how much you take responsibility, how much you waste time on things that if asked you would for sure say are a waste of time (top 3 guilty pleasures: on-line shopping, facebook and researching products that I probably don't need but just want). Sadly we all get off track as to what we want our lives to look like. One of the exercises in the book suggests taking a few moments to think about your funeral and as you are there watching friends, family and co-workers all stand and speak about you, what would you want them to say? This always helps me refocus my time, pay attention to my words and more importantly do what is right for me.  It has been hard not going back to work, I had always felt like becoming a social worker was more than a job but it was a calling. I love being able to help people through listening and empowering but in the end my client will not show-up at my funeral and although I know what I do helps people at this point in my life it is important to help those closest to me, my husband and children. My children are young and there are many things they may never remember me doing. I choose not to work so that I can be here for the first time they skin their knees, the first time they taste a homemade meal they love for years to come, the first time they say I love you, the first scary dream, the first mean child, the first beloved book and the first amazement in the world. I stay home so that one day my children can stand at my funeral and say I was there, trying my best and loving them more than they could ever express.