You know, I've done alot of thinking lately about the lives that we lead.  In the morning when I stop at Turkey Hill to get my normal chocolate milk and nutrigrain, I take a good look at the people around me.  I see three kinds of people.

First, the guy in the business suit.  He gets out of his car fixing his tie with one hand and talking on his cell phone with the other.  "Dressed for Success", this guy is ready to continue climbing that corporate ladder.  Probably has a nice office with a leather chair and his own brass name plate on his desk.  He will soon be called in for his 6 month evaluation.  Given his big promotion that he wanted, he is feeling very successful as his boss gives him more responsibility.  Soon to be at that 6 digit income mark life couldn't get any better.   He orders his Cappucino (probably didn't spell that right) and gets back into his new BMW.

Second, the guy wearing the shirt with his name on it.  He walks in the store and goes straight for the strong black coffee.  He looks barely awake and red eyed.  I notice that he looks at his left wrist alot.  Then, I realize that its 7:53 and he probably has to be punched in at the mill in 7 minutes.  He rushes into line to pay, walks out, and then speeds away.

Third, I notice the elderly person sitting on the bench outside the store reading the paper.  He doesn't move much, doesn't look to be in a hurry, but is very interested in today's articles.  I say "Hi" to him and he looks up, smiles and kindly says hi back.  As I'm walking away I hear him whistling and flipping his paper to the next page.

During my life I have done alot of things that I thought would make me happy.  Right after graduating high school I went to work at a local factory.  I was about 18 or 19 making $8.75 an hour.  The first few months I thought this was great.  In the mornings, driving to work I would stop at the local convenient store and scrape enough up for my chocolate milk and candy bar (didn't need the nutrigrain then.. my metabolism was unstoppable!).  Off to work I went for my 8 hour shift. 

Every morning when I stopped at the store, I noticed the guy in the business suit and dreamed of being him someday.

Well, soon enough that day came.  A few years later after going back to school to further my education I was slammed into Corporate America.  So successful I was (At least I thought).  I was making a huge salary, driving a new car, building my dream house, and buying all the toys and gadets that I wanted.  These things made me happy right?  I noticed that the smarter I was, the more responsibility that was given to me because I could "get the job done".  This was great for a few years until it finally caught up to me.  Migraines, bad moods, stress attacks, and other fun things started taking over me.  But that was ok because it was all worth it because I was "successful".  Funny how those things can cause you not to smile much.

Then one day it just hit me.  I had never taken time out for myself.  I never allowed myself any "ME" time.  That day I realized that I was only fooling myself.  I wasn't successful.  I was giving all of my time and efforts to others and wasn't giving any back to myself. 

I realized that I wanted to be sitting on the bench outside the store reading the paper. I finally realized that HE was the one that I wanted to be.  No worries, no deadlines, just happy.

A few weeks later I put away my shiny dress shoes and got out my flip flops.  I decided to go on my own.  Taking a MAJOR paycut wasn't a problem for me.  I realized that my QOL (Quality of Life) was alot more important to me than that big paycheck.  I realized that being home with my family was more important (at least to me) than climbing that big corporate ladder.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I do work hard, but I don't punch a clock.  I don't have the need for those shiny dress shoes, but the flip flops are alot more comfortable anyhow.

Everyone has different things that make them happy.  I guess my advice is to take a good look at your life and make sure that you are fulfulling it the way you want to.  Are you doing what you really want to do?  I'm only 30, but the years seem to be flying by.  I have a 7 month old boy now and there is nothing better than spending time with him and my family.

Just take time out to make sure that your J.O.B. is giving you the Q.O.L that you want.

I'm hoping people remember me by "He lived his life to the fullest" instead of "He sure was a hard worker"

Till next time,

Mike