66 Percent

Another blog post from another tired Ima.

Yesterday I was at work for 12 hours. In a row. I don't think I've worked that hard since labor.

This new job has brought out something new in me--a work ethic.

I suspect it's mostly brought on by a healthy dose of terror--the festival will begin on September 14th whether I'm ready for it or not. But, motivation aside, I am truly shocked to find myself in the office at 8am day after day, skipping lunch, eschewing personal email. It's not a me that I know well.

The ugly truth is that, throughout my professional life thus far I've done good work instead of great work--under-delivery masked as good delivery. My 66% can pass for 100% percent if you don't know what I'm capable of.

But here I am working my tuchus off. And though my work is taking me away from my Chamudi more than I would like, it feels good to know that I'm giving him a positive example of hard work and its rewards--a lesson that was easier learned by the generations that pulled themselves up by their bootstraps than by those of us raised in a comfy world of middle-class entitlement.

As I watch Chamudi work to master each new step towards independence, I pray that he'll always have the desire to realize his highest potential. To be a self-made man.

Meanwhile, I'll put another pot of coffee up and get to know my inner workaholic.