Yes, I sometimes lack brevity
Posted on April 25, 2006 - Filed Under Uncategorized
Well, much to my chagrin, I guess I have made the leap into the real world of being a grown-up in today’s modern, work more, relax less Western world. What, you might ask, is the evidence leading me to this grand conclusion? The evidence is what I have been doing for the last week and a half in support of a project I was assigned at work. Just like everything else they give us to do, it’s of ‘the highest priority’ but at the same time should have been done months, if not years, ago. It’s fundamental to the functioning of my organization and yet no one has seen fit to ensure its completion, that is, until now. Anyway, back to what I have been doing. I have worked a total of six days since being assigned the task, two of which I’ve stayed late (something that is extremely rare for people in my organization). I seriously contemplated going in for basically a full day this past weekend but that turned out to not be possible due to family and home stuff that came up. And now, as the deadline approaches, I have brought a laptop home with me with every intention of putting some serious effort toward it this evening. It’s now 10pm and I just don’t think that is going to happen. I have put myself on Maggie duty so Erin can go to sleep and the little one is flirting non-stop with being fussy. The work I could be doing is such that it’s kind of not even worth starting if I am not going to make decent headway, so I sit here and write.
It is supremely bothersome to me that I must spend approximately ten hours a day working and then only be able to spend about half that with my family. I have to be careful to not lose sight of what those ten hours result in, namely, a decent life for my family and I. (As an aside, though, I feel I must say here that some people (me included) use that logic to rationalize their more-than-necessary lifestyle. We don’t need all the things we have, all the crap we think we ‘must have.’ In the end, those things rarely bring us the same amount of fulfillment as would spending time with people we care for or doing things which make us happy. What if we traded some of the time we spend working for teaching our kid not just how to fish but how to be really good at it, mowing the widow’s yard (for free), or playing the guitar under a shade tree because you remember what it was like in college to wile away a sunny afternoon learning how to play the acoustic version of that favorite song?) Work is very important; after all, everyone has to eat. That said, it makes me really sad to sit in an utterly stupid meeting or to work on something completely useless knowing there’s a wife, baby, dog, and two cats at home, all of whom I love very much.
Obviously, all of what I just said is trumped if you really love what you do (big shout-out to James). But given polls I’ve read, I know that most Americans don’t truly enjoy their work and would much rather spend time with their families. A perfect example, at least in my imagination, is my sister. She’s fired up, wants to do really well at work, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, in my humble opinion. However, impressing your boss is only worth so much; six months after you and s/he part ways, they’ll never remember you. You, however, will remember that hike up Pike’s Peak you took because you weren’t so tired from the day before when you decided that your work clothes could make it another day without being ironed (trust me, once or twice a week is enough).
I know this is really long and if you’re still with me, here’s the punch line: As Neil sang, ever so wisely, rust never sleeps. Time waits for no one, the future is now, there is no someday, love and only love will endure. I will endeavor to only do what truly matters, for my time here is very limited and to waste it is complete folly.
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2 Responses to “Yes, I sometimes lack brevity”
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Hey Folks!
Long time, no… Well, you know. As you know, brevity has never been my forte.
Hang in there, your day is coming. I’m the luckiest guy in the world, except for maybe someone who has the prettiest little baby girl ever! Lucky for you she takes after Erin.
Your post was probably the first time I’ve looked back at my AF days since I retired. I now look back at not only the standard 7:30-4:30 work schedule, but also the 12 hour shifts, 6 on-1 off, weekend duty, additional duties, second and third jobs to make ends meet, undergrad and masters work, soccer/baseball coach, volunteer/PTA/PTO work in the communities and the schools, and countless other commitments, all while trying to be a good husband for my wife and a good father for three growing boys.
Everyone has to make decisions in their life. I have made many myself, some good, others which probably could have used a little more thought. Every decision made not only affects you, but the family, friends and people around you. And some of those decisions can follow you around for years!
You do what you HAVE to do to provide for those who depend on you, but it is imperative not to forget or neglect them while you do so.
I absolutely love doing what I’m doing right now. It may have taken me 20 years to get to this point in my life, but I did what I had to do to be here now. I do my work thing, go to all of the football, baseball, band and school events I can, do my yard work, volunteer in the schools (started 2 technology clubs and Booster club pres of AF JROTC) and still manage to find time to sit on a swing overlooking the most beautiful countryside, in the world with my beautiful bride of 24 years.
As I said before, hang in there, your day is coming.
All the best to the 6 of you!
Tim
Well, it’s good to hear from you. And, as always, I am so happy to hear you are doing well.
I very much appreciate your commenting. I’ve been a little frustrated that more people have not left evidence that they have visited the site. I put all this work into it, so it’s ever so satisfying to receive communication from folks. I am also thankful for your comment because, as I hope you know, I have always deeply appreciated your counsel. Your ‘aura’ invites and makes people (well, at least me) feel comfortable and the input you offer is backed up by a lifetime of experience.
So, when are you going to let us share this wonderful view, if only for a couple hours? I know you’re busy but I just found out yesterday that you won’t have the opportunity for too much longer to have us over. Is that cryptic enough for you?