Sometimes I wish I was a kid again. The ease of living a life where you don’t have to be quote on quote be “responsible” for your own well-being sounds magical. [It’s no wonder Peter Pan never wanted to grow up]. In some ways I’m still a kid, despite being Taylor Swift’s age. I haven’t moved out yet, I don’t necessarily cook my own meals, and I’m still in the process of finalizing my future. Yet, being an adult entails having to strike an appropriate balance of fun and work, while staying true to one’s moral center. At the end of the day I want to ensure I act responsibly around the people around me, and am responsible with my behavior and the life choices I ultimately make.
Dos: To act responsibly entails a variety of factors, which I attempted to fulfill throughout the course of the entire work
1) My functions at work (the YMCA), simply tutoring and mentoring kids. I try to strike a balance in being their friend and being their role model by not being afraid to stoop down to their level. Just the other day I started randomly singing “Can’t Hold Us” with a student. I also prepped for my summer job by purchasing necessary shorts to not die of dehydration sweating in the summer.
2) Running. For my own physical well-being I need to ensure I’m actually getting a decent amount of exercise each week. This fluctuates depending on what special errands I have to do a particular week. I could do a better job with the meals I eat, but that is easier said than done.
3) Bonding. I want to ensure I’m always fostering the relationships that can help make me turn into a better person. If I can surround myself with good people and get closer to them, that’s always a plus. I’ve made unfortunate mistakes in the past where I had friends that weren’t quite so “moral” so to speak, so I hope to rebound and compensate in the immediate present. Reuniting with old friends is always a plus in maintaining responsible and simultaneously healthy friendships.
4) Reading. Not only does it increase vocabulary skills, but as a dying form of entertainment it is much needed in order to encourage literacy in the world. As a future teacher I can’t expect my students to read if I’m not interested in doing so myself (that would make me a hypocrite). It allows me to also inform myself of politics and what is going on in the world (RESTORE THE 4th AMENDMENT).
5) Legal Streaming. I was responsible this week in not abusing illegal streaming websites, opting to use HuluPlus for a one week Trial to ultimately catch up on New Girl. As committed as I am to my friends, I maintain that commitment with the television shows I invest in.
6) Non-affiliated Earnings. As an aside to trying to maintain a “frugal” lifestyle, I always try my best to get free things as often as possible. Using Swagbucks this week alone, I have accumulated $25 in Amazon Gift Cards, which I will use for an appropriate purchase in the future. I also purchased a new phone online this week which might very well go against responsible spending, but in all actuality “responsibly” replaces a phone that was falling apart.
7) Cleaning. I cleanse myself everyday in order to not make people around me feel disgusted. At the same time I cleaned my “room” this very day.
Don’ts: I refrained from certain actions on certain days of the week (but failed in being consistent about it).
Not over-sleeping: It can promote laziness.
Not over-eating: Gluttony just so happens to be a sin last time I checked. (I kind of failed Wednesday night in consuming korean bbq, but in all fairness it was for a birthday celebration!).
No drinking and driving: Obviously this would result in a DUI with my driving abilities.
Not neglecting home: Sometimes it gets easy to neglect your family and the people around you. Staying at home a couple of hours everyday can make you realize the benefits of having a place and family to go to. (even if you don’t share all your personal secrets with them).
Not double booking: I’ve been very much irresponsible in the past when I try double-booking hangouts with friends. This whole week I have refrained from “over-socializing” in a sense, and maintaining a proper balance between being at home, being at work, and having fun.
Not over-spending: Though I did buy a new phone this week, I try my best to not make improper spending decisions. Only a rash person would really spend $200 in one day. I try to balance all my purchases and not overspend on any specific item any specific week (this entails not eating out too much, not driving too much, and not doing activities that might in fact add up in the long run (drinking)).
The End Result: Though there were some mishaps, I’m still responsible in a sense that I have a future I’m largely headed towards, and I’m going to accomplish that future regardless of any interceptions in the future. B+ for the week.
Next Week: Compassion
