Going to Work: An Interpretation of the Daily Struggle Part I

“Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.”  – Kevin Kruse

A lot of disappointment, dread, and irritation comes with getting out of bed in the early morning for most of us.

Your eyes open with the sound of your screeching alarm. Your first thought isn’t usually a happy one, then you slide your feet until they lazily drop off the side of the bed. After you’ve shuffled your way to the bathroom, you blindly swipe at the wall until you find the light switch – the sudden shift from dark to light has you recoil as if you are a vampire, fearful of the sun.

You attempt a balancing act on top of legs that promise to fall out from under you while you wait for the cold water to warm. Stepping into the shower is both a blessing and a curse as the warm water feels perfect, yet recalls to mind the warm blanket that waits for you back in bed. Your shower is a lazy attempt at lathering while one hand is pressed firmly against the walling, ensuring that you don’t crumble under the weight of your desire to continue sleeping.

Stepping out of the shower you dry off, wrap your towel and begin sluggishly applying your toothpaste to a toothbrush, and a toothbrush to teeth – all the while wondering if you can’t come up with some reason to sleep just a little longer. You spend time wondering why it is you had to watch that documentary on fish oil, keeping you up later than you would have liked.

You put your clothes on, comb your hair, and walk out to the kitchen. Do you have time to make coffee? You certainly don’t have time to make breakfast…Starbucks it is!

You head inside because the drive-thru line is always too long. Oh, how you’ve waited for this. How you need this coffee. Your thoughts jubilant from the idea of a piping hot cup of joe – this will turn your morning around!

You’ve made it to the counter and can only communicate your order through a series of grunts and moans. Hand motions may be necessary.Upon receiving your large coffee you quickly take a sip, forgoing the necessary steps required to ensure your coffee isn’t too hot – it burns your tongue and throat. You wonder if some celestial being or another has it out for you. Now, fear has set in. You begin to wonder if you’ll be able to make it to work on time as there’s an hour commute and always a backup on your route. You sit in traffic and are unable to enjoy your coffee due to the anxiety of not knowing whether you’ll make it to work on time. Irritated, you curse at whoever is causing this.

You’ve made it to work with no time to spare. Running through the door at 9:05, you have no time for coworker greetings or upholding appearances. You’ve made it to your desk and count the hours, then the minutes, then the seconds until you can make another congested commute home. Tomorrow you get to start the whole process over again.

Doesn’t this sound miserable? Doing this over and over again until you retire?

Read my next post to find out what you might do to prevent this kind of morning and please share your stories and strategies on how to get the most out of you mornings.