Summer of Tensions

This summer has been full of tensions that I have felt. At work the tension arise between the task at hand, and the relationships I create at work. With my family it is between wanting to make them proud in my accomplishments, and just spending some simple time with them. Likewise, with friends it is whether to be supportive and encouraging to them, and whether to be honest and show a little tough love. Then there is tension created between these tensions based on how much time I want to spend in each relationship or goal. All of this to say that I have felt pulled in many different ways this summer, and continue to see that I am limited in the time and efforts I can exhort. I am not saying that due to these tensions I lower my capabilities. Rather, I just know that time is a limited and probably the most valuable resource that we have.

I know that I do not love conflict. I am developing frameworks to develop how I handle it, but for the most part tension is not my thing. I feel this truth coming our when I think about the tensions with time I have had this summer. My first thought is that tensions are bad. They create inefficiencies with time because you take the time to solve the polarized ends rather than working towards a common task or goal. However, they are not bad or inefficient. They create more complexities to your original task, goal, or relationship and allow you to grow in more complex ways than I had expected.

As I head back to school for my junior year I know that there will be added elements to these tensions. By adding school and being farther from home to the mix, the complexities with my family and friends back home will increase. Now that I am able to see these added elements as an avenue for growth and just something new to learn how to handle I think I will see my time differently. Initially I want to hold onto time more because there are more things to do, but I don’t think this is very productive. If I don’t take the time to identify what is in tension and to make a choice on my priorities and how to spend my time I am going to feel stressed in overwhelmed by my lack of time. As I remember this going back to school I will be able to enjoy the time I have and not waste it as a resource.

#CommLabSummerReflections