An Education on Having it All

People are faced with it all the time - choosing between being a career woman or a mother. Choosing between being successful or happy. Choosing between being rich or moral. In "An Education", the lead character Jenny (Carey Mulligan) finds herself in that kind of a predicament at the very young age of 16. Should she follow the path she's been on forever and attend Oxford
University or should she stay with her much older boyfriend and live the life she's wanted to live forever? Fancy dinners, exquisite clothes, beautiful cars, impressive art galleries, grand theater productions, lavish vacations... all these things make Jenny re-think her plan. My question, however, is why can't Jenny have both? Likewise, why can't we all have both? Can't mothers be successful in the workforce AND incredible moms to their kids? Can't people achieve true success in their field AND be happy? I think we can. Sure, it may be a challenge at times and it may be hard work, but I don't think it is too much to ask to have it all. So, next time someone says "Well, you can't have it all", I'm going to say "Oh, yeah?" and prove them wrong. What are YOU going to do?

No Regrets - Whether You're a Human or a Zombie

In "Zombieland", Bill Murray acting as himself gets mistaken for a zombie and gets himself shot. Ah, Bill! If only it were "Groundhog Day", you could start the day over and reconsider that prank that got yourself hit with a bullet. Dagnabbit!!! Anyway, as he lays dying (hilarious till his final breath), one of the Zombie hunters says "Any regrets?". His answer: "Uhhh, maybe 'Garfield'." Remember that live action film about that lazy, orange, cartoon cat? Yeah, most people don't. But maybe you'll remember this. When people ask me what my greatest regret is (though thankfully not on my death bed), I always say that I don't have any regrets. I believe that if you learn from mistakes in life and don't make the same mistake twice, there's no reason to regret anything. Perhaps things didn't go your way at one point or you made some bad decisions... whatever it is, if it makes you a better person or helped you get somewhere you otherwise wouldn't, then there's a reason it happened. So, instead of harping on something really stupid you did (because let's face it - we ALL do stupid things sometimes), figure out how that experience can benefit you in the long run and move on. NO REGRETS! NO REGRETS!

Cloudy with a Good Chance of Succeeding

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Though sometimes it's more like try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try, try again, this age-old saying makes loads of sense. If you don't believe me, ask "Flint Lockwood" from "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". He'll tell you the exact same thing. "Flint" is a young inventor, who has really incredible ideas, but they never seem to work out. They keep backfiring on him, but no matter how many people ridicule him or express their extreme lack of support, Flint just keeps on pluggin' away. He knows in his heart that one day, he will come up with an invention that will change the world (or at least his little seaside town). Spray-on shoes proved to be too permanent to run with the changing styles and activities. So what! Ratbirds were even creepier than the real rats with wings, otherwise known as pigeons. Big deal! The hair unbalder wasn't exactly a growing trend. Poppycosh! It's all those experiences that led to Flint inventing a wacky weather system that drops all kinds of delicious food from the sky, hence ending the hunger problem. Now, that's an invention that will improve EVERYONE'S life. So, no matter what you want to invent, achieve, solve or discover... it's not just about the goal. It's not just about the one thing at the end. You have to fail a little to reach greatness... and once you do, you'll appreciate it so much more. Just be sure to take time to remember everything you went through to get there. It's all important... every step. Without the trip to the market, the pot, the water, the pasta, the sauce, the meat, the seasonings, the stove and the dinner conversation, your life may remain Overcast with No Chance of Meatballs.