Octopus

Dear Cardinals,

When I am finished running my errands, like picking up a few things from the supermarket, getting my dry cleaning, and picking up a package from the post office, all of a sudden I think I am an octopus with eight arms because I really do try to carry everything  (all at once, up the elevator, and down the long hall) to my apartment. Why, do I continually do this to myself you ask? It’s because I don’t want to make two trips to my car. I like to think I can just do it in one trip.  And of course, I never remember to bring a shopping cart which would make my life easier.

I know I am not alone, sometimes I see students walking across the campus, with their bookbag on their shoulder that’s about to burst open, a drink in one hand and a phone glued to their ear.   I see you all juggling stuff like a pro just, like I am sure people in my apartment building see me juggling all my bags and boxes.  But we keep it moving because this is life, right?

We’re all balancing something: classes, work, family, uncertainty, goals that feel big, and dreams that feel even bigger. And it can feel messy or even a little chaotic sometimes.

But here’s the important part: Forward is still forward—even when it’s not neat and pretty.

Small steps count. Imperfect progress counts. Showing up counts. If you’re juggling things right now, you’re not off track—you’re living the process that gets you to the finish line.

So, this week, give yourself credit for the effort, not just the outcome. Tighten the straps on your bag, secure your drink, silence the chaos for a moment if you need to… but just keep going.

Your future self will thank you for not putting everything down.

You got this.

President Schrader