Then for 12 years its school.

Then there's college.

Then there's work. Or for some, sports. Or for others marriage. Or kids.

Something takes centre stage in your life. And all other things revolve around it. For brief periods of time it becomes an ailing relative, or a particular person, or a course you are doing parallel to your normal routine, or your kids. 

And without realising it, that it the number one priority in your life. Its not even your decision. Think about the thing in your life that takes up most of your time. Not head space, time. And I am sorry folks but that is your number one priority. Because everything else in your life, even if its more important will be fitted around it, like little pebbles slipping through the edges of a jar that has been occupied by a giant rock. You will try to fit in work between footy practice and your Friday night beer. Or you will try and see if you have time after work to maybe go and meet up with friends. Which one is it? Which one comes first by default? Is it a choice, or did it happen without you realising it, pushing what you want to be the topmost priority into the background? When did the immediate needs, the urgent deeds, take precedence over the important but can-wait ones? Because they'll wait forever. And with time, fade away, leaving you with memories of what you once were, like dreams the morning after, the feeling is familiar but the vivid colours and storyline eludes you.

Sometimes, those pebbles get bigger. They try to push through. But by then the rock is, well, rock solid. It won't move. And the conflict continues...