A Few Thoughts. The Imaginarium.

A Few Thoughts from Mr. Williamson

Staff, Volunteers, Voyagers and Young Astronauts,

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Are you stressed to the point of breaking? Are you tossing and turning at night when you should be sleeping. Are you sleeping in class when you should be learning? Perhaps you suffer from a disease called: IWANTTODOEVERYTHINGBUTIDONTHAVETHETIMEBUTIMNOTWILLINGTOCUT
SOMETHINGSOUTSOILLJUSTKEEPDOINGEVERYTHINGUNTILIDROPitus.

If you suffer from this ailment and are looking for a magic cure, I want to assure you that there isn't one. There are only 24 hours in a day and nothing you do will increase that. You may choose to sleep less and thus cheat on the day by stealing hours from the night but that therapy will fail over time. Soon your sanity will surrender to insanity and you'll be found doing cartwheels down State Street in your underwear.

A bit of balance is what the doctor ordered. To avoid going 'GaGa'; to avoid falling asleep at your desk in school and drooling over your notes, may I suggest you take a look at your schedule and decide if everything you're juggling is really necessary. You may need to cut some things out and use those few hours for other things to bring balance to your life and sunshine to your soul (like sleep and downtime for a good long nature walk). Here are a few ideas.

1. Reserve time for some kind of activity. Many participate in a sport. Whatever you do to keep your heart beating is good. A healthy body is more alert. You'll spend less time sick. Physical activity is a must in any daily schedule. 
2. Give your education your very best. This is your future. Any shortcuts in this section of your time will be lasting. Shoot for the 'A'.
3. Community and/or faith. I believe everyone needs to give something back to the community. Considering volunteering for a few hours per month in a school or other organization. Giving of ourselves keeps us unselfish and gives you insights on how blessed you really are. Community and/or faith give you an anchor, essential for those troubled times.
4. Reserve time to be a kid. You need to hang out with your friends. You need to go to a movie and listen to your music. You need time to unwind. Don't feel guilty for taking time for friends. Just remember to keep it clean and follow your parent's guidelines. They've been there before and know the potholes in life's road you should avoid.
5. Don't forget your family. Teenagers find themselves wanting to spend more time with friends and less time with family. This sometimes causes parents to 'freak out'. They've raised you all these years and find it tough to let you start creating a life of your own. Help your parents through this tough time by not neglecting your family. Don't cut them out of your decision making. Keep the lines of communication open. You'll see the apron strings loosen if you take time to talk to mom and dad on a regular basis. Shutting yourself away in your room or always hiding behind a screen is the wrong approach. Weekly time for Mom and Dad is a must. Trust me - you'll be happier and they'll be happier.
6. Be wary of social media. Everyone on Facebook, Instagram, etc seems to have the perfect life. They don't. People use social media to sell themselves in a desperate search for likes. It is a self-promotion tool. I have a Facebook account to post Space Center related business and blog posts. You rarely, if ever, see me post anything personal. Your personal life, in my opinion, is personal. Something between you, family, and close friends. Care should be taken when posting personal details and extra care should be taken when you scour the web looking at what everyone else is doing and then using that in a comparison to your life. Life can be tough and we're all in this together. 

Your life should be a careful balance of the items above. Try to keep this balance and I believe you'll be happier and more successful. 

Mr. Williamson

The Imaginarium