I would like to take credit for this idea but it actually came from a guest we hosted last week at the College, Ms. Jimmie Paschall. Ms. Paschall was an impressive guest in every manner possible but the most striking idea she talked about during her visit was a concept she referred to as Work/Life Integration.
Work/Life Integration is about merging your various worlds together so that you do not think of them as separate entities but as a component of a well rounded existence. In this age of connectivity we are never truly separated from any aspects of our lives. Why fight it? While work now follows you home regularly, your work can be integrated with your home as well. You don't need to be in the office 24/7 anymore, we are now living in a non-punch clock world. It is because of this world, that I can volunteer at my kids school one day a week or be 'kidnapped' occasionally by my wife for an afternoon of togetherness. As a wise woman once said, 'we only have one life why are we trying to divide it?'
In a university setting, this philosophy can work quite well. I regularly take my children to events on campus. My daughter loves going to volleyball games for instance. When I have had students on the team, she has had fun meeting them after the games and I believe they get a 'kick' out of having fans that truly enjoy their play. By exposing my children to the campus environment, they get to see people from around the globe and hear ideas that they would not normally be exposed to (though sometimes I have some explain' to do afterwards).
Overall, I believe this philosophy works for me. Why not share the love with both my work and my family?
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