My best friend Emma came to visit me a couple of weeks ago. She is from Houston, Texas and we have known each other since we were ten years old. Because I get to go home only once every four or more months, I was really excited for her to visit the campus and see what I do from day to day. It was shocking to me when I realized that I barely had time to show her the University Center let alone take her to some cool places downtown. She was here an entire week and I spent most of it bogged down with other commitments and homework.

After Emma's visit, I got to thinking about my schedule and how it got so out of control. Was I really too busy to spend time with a girl that is basically my family? Amidst all these things I am doing, do I ever stop and just enjoy a moment to myself? Then I asked myself the question that I usually fear asking: am I too busy?

The reason I detest asking myself this question is because the answer is, more often than not, yes. I have tons of commitments that keep me going from eight a.m. until midnight. This includes classes, homework, articles, work and being assistant stage manager for the production of "Major Barbara" at the Carousel Theatre.

The terrible thing is that most people are just as busy if not busier than I am! If you are in college you usually stay up to your elbows in homework. Even if you have time for other commitments, I'm sure it is very limited or else grades will begin to suffer.

The argument I make in my head for my busy schedule is that I am preparing myself for the future. I'm taking on so many tasks so I can have a great resume and get a job I really love. But when the stuff you are supposed to be doing to make you happy is stressing you out, where do you draw the line?

I recently drew the line with "Major Barbara." I'm not sure if all of you know the time commitment and work it takes to be an assistant stage manager, but it was way more than I anticipated. I began working on the show on September 4th. I will not be done working on it until October 21st. What I mean by "working on it" is attending rehearsal six days a week, Monday through Friday, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Luckily I had a stage manager who allowed me to get a little of my reading for my English class done, but you can see how that kind of time commitment can make doing ANYTHING else difficult.

I found myself being stressed out all the time, worrying about homework, only being in my apartment to sleep and seeing my boyfriend once a week for half an hour. One day when I was sitting in the amphitheatre outside of Humanities, it occurred to me how much I love being outside. I love the warm sun on my skin, the intermittent breeze and the feeling that I don't have a care in the world except to just be in that moment.

Last year, I made a commitment to assistant stage manage another show in the spring. After a lot of going back and forth and relaxing in the amphitheatre, I decided to break it. I value my sanity and the little things like just sitting in one place for more than five minutes more than having another thing to put on my resume. I plan to have Emma come and visit in the spring. I'm going to show her a really great time and enjoy the company of my best friend.

My challenge for you is to take a moment out of your busy day to do something you haven't done in a while. Whether it is sitting outside enjoying the breeze or reading a book that isn't required for a class, just try doing something like this a few times a week. It will really relieve some pressure and help you to value the little things in life.