Today two great things happened.
I received an academic journal in which one of my papers was published. And, I received a royalty check for my textbook. The first was gratifying, but the second puts food on the table. I was struck by the difference between the two.
This kind of thing happened to me once before. I received an award from the president of our university on the same day that I received another check. At the time, I was struck by the difference. I worked a long time for each, but while the former stroked my ego, the latter would pay the bills. At the time, I remember thinking that perhaps reality was showing me what I should focus on.
Now, admittedly, I am slower than you. You might have gotten the message the first time, but it took me a second time for me to actually grasp this lesson. I need to shift gears and focus on that which provides greater value. It is not that academic papers and university service are unimportant; it is just that I need to attend to things that provide for my family first.
Reality speaks to us if we are willing to listen.
