Where Real Life Happens

Y'all know that I can get so obsessed with succeeding in the academy, that I lose all sense of perspective.

Today, I realized afresh that real life is important. Even if I don't make it in the academy, ...

• People whom I respect remember when my birthday is. (Prof. Mom even sent me an email to that effect.)
• I've still got my health. (One of my students was diagnosed with cancer today.)
• My friends support me through thick and thin. (One of my other students was recently served divorce papers. Custody of the children is next on the agenda.)

Don't get me wrong: I still want to succeed within the walls of the ivory tower.

But real life happens outside of the academy.