Day Off

I was in the middle of a 20-day work streak, tired and ready to have a day off with still a ways to go. But sometimes good things come to those who wait, and though I wasn't expectant, one good thing just popped up -- my company gave me an unexpected day off for Good Friday! Awesome! I had a choice though -- my boss said I could work the extra day if I needed the money (really it's a small staff, and I know she wanted the help), which normally isn't terribly tempting for a guy like me, but we could have certainly used the money, and it would have likely been the responsible thing to do. But if you read this blog at all, you know me -- I rarely choose money over time -- and so I declined.

As I entered the blessed 24 hours of no work, I wondered if I had made the right choice. It only took about 20 minutes to come up with the answer to that question...YES! I had breakfast with my wife and kids, went to the beach, surfed a little (until I saw a gnarly looking jellyfish), hung out with my dad, ran errands and even changed the oil on two cars! Productive and fun? Can every day be like that?!

Future shredder. Taken on the day off.

I'm sharing this because I think we live in a world where work is king, and the amount of work you do is indicative of how successful/productive you are perceived as being. But God and my wife have been teaching me over the past 4 years that time is infinitely more valuable than money and stuff. Our modern society doesn't really jive with that idea though, where careers really do take over people's lives, often in the name of "providing for the family." I often wonder if I'm in the right on this topic, but my wife continually reminds me that provision is more than just money, it's time, attention, communication, health; ultimately, being there.

So if you're faced with some decisions to work more when maybe you can get by without, really consider your options. A man recently told me that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, and it's up to us to decide how to use it. And those decisions should be based on what our priorities in life are. If having lots of money is your priority, then yes, work will also be the priority. But if time with family or surfing or creating stuff is a high priority, then work may take a back seat from time to time. Of course I'm not saying that everyone should quit because they are working too much, and I also know there are times when we are required to work a lot, but I just want people to think about it more.

So go think about it. And let me know what you think.