The Rat Race...

I got this image online.  Click here to visit site.

I got an email today about a book called "Rush: Why You Need and Love the Rat Race".  The headline spoke to me.  Being a Westside mom, I'm all too familiar with the proverbial mom "rat race".  It's hard not to get insecure or fall victim to loosing yourself in the race.  So when a friend asked me the other day how I try not to get caught up, it took a minute.

First, what does rat race mean?  Google says "1.  A way of life in which people are caught up in fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power. 2.  An exhausting, usually competitive routine".  It's exhausting even writing about a race!  Imagine how many hours people waste on this.... First, take some time to absorb the words.  FIERCELY, COMPETITIVE, STRUGGLE, WEALTH, POWER.  When it comes down to it, we're all the same.  We want to feel important, valuable and loved.  No matter if you're living in the slums of India or on the Westside of Los Angeles, it's everywhere.

Now maybe in the context of corporate America the rat race increases productivity, but in terms of healthy living I have a feeling it takes years off your life.  So next time you start loosing yourself in this race, take a step back and look at your life.  Something's missing, and money can't fill that void.

** Just as a siden note, I haven't read the book "Rush: Why You Need and Love the Rat Race" by Todd Buchholz.  He's speaking at the Milken Institute on August 9th.  Click here for more information.   http://sketchedout.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/rat-race/