The best moments?

I saw this on Healthy Librarian's wonderfully inspiring, informative, and fun-to-read blog. It sums up how I feel about my internship experience better than anything I could write:

“The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

--Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

I also ran across this similar sentiment in the Dalai Lama's book (on CD), How to Be Compassionate: A Handbook for Creating Inner Peace and a Happier World:

"In my own life the most difficult periods have been the times when I have gained the most knowledge and experience. If every thing is going well, you can maintain the pretense that life is a smooth ride. However, when you face really desperate situations, you have to face reality."

I have become intimately acquainted with reality over the past year or so. In retrospect, chronically pushing my physical and mental limits this year has been worth the sacrifice to gain some priceless experience. I'd change only a few small things if I could.

On the other hand, sometimes I all I really want is a nap followed by a nice cappuccino, a copy of the latest New Yorker magazine, and a sunny day to walk the dog I haven't adopted yet.

Time is flying by with just 29 more days before the next step, with moving, boards, and a little relaxation squeezed in for good measure! Soon, it'll be time to stand high on my toes again. How do people manage to do it all?