Kristin, I can really identify with the last section of this article. I spend my time interacting with people all day, every day, and carrying on 3 or 4 conversations at once, with someone in my office, someone on the phone, an e-mail chiming in, an IM popping up, and maybe even a cell phone caller wanting attention.

And then I close my eyes, breath, and recall why I do all of these things. A Saturday to relax and recuperate, time to spend with my family, and I might just feel recharged to face the daunting work week again.

Life is most certainly a roller coaster, of which I have learned to enjoy. Like a good wine or a bitter blend of coffee never tasted before, life has flavors that I enjoy sipping at times. However, I do not relish being a drunk or drinking coffee all the time ;-) Once cannot substantiate a life by over-indulging.

And so I withdraw from the public and enjoy curling up to a great movie or wonderful book; I enjoy tickling my daughter or getting a tight hug from my loving wife. Those help me to recharge, as I'm sure you have found as well.

Now my challenge is to not allow myself to get stuck in a rut - it is time to take up the challenge of being a life-long learner and live my life just a little differently. Not so much that I react like a cranky toddler ;-) but just enough to know that change is still good for me, that embracing life's challenges can be wonderful.

I am glad to see that you can make peace with who you are. That is a sign of a strong mind and connected spirit. In the end I try to remember that life is going to happen, but how I react towards those happenings is my choice to make!

Warmest Regards,
Ken Stewart