my aha moment

A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

I recently interviewed with another company for a new job. Several interviews actually. They had lots to offer; a substantial increase in pay, matching 401K, bonus incentives, and profit sharing. It was an opportunity for professional growth and advancement that, had I been 20 years younger, I would have killed for. Taking this new job would require a minimum of 60-70 hour work weeks for at least the next 12 months. While I was gone I had lots of time to rethink the opportunity that waited for me back home in Ohio.

I can't argue that making more money would be nice, and it would also feel good to be challenged with new opportunities, but was I willing to give up so much of my time at this point in my life? For a long time, most of my life actually, I've chased the dream. Always wanting more, never quite satisfied, afraid I was missing out on something. Sometime in the last 6 months something happened, and for lack of a better word, I realize that I had my "aha" moment.

I am so blessed to have a healthy family, a beautiful new granddaughter, a comfortable home where friends are always welcome, a husband who loves me unconditionally, enough financial security to enjoy vacations, splurges on pedicures and spa treatments, clothes, shoes, purses and ridiculously priced out to eat meals. I have friends who know all about me, the good, the bad and the ugly and love me anyway, who stand up for me when others try to put me down. I've come to value my family as my number one possession, my children are my greatest accomplishment- not my financial reports or scores or anything else related to my job. I love the fact that my dogs act like they haven't seen me in years when I come home at night, that I can step out my backdoor and feel like I've entered another world where stress and distractions can't find me, and where I can dig around in the dirt, playing with flowers or growing vegetables. I want to be a better cook and love it when I find a little extra time to try a new recipe. Books are my friends, I never want to be so tired at night that I can't read a chapter if I want to. I've walked along the Grand Canal in Venice, stood at the top of the Coliseum in Rome, climbed to the top of Diamond Head, danced on bar tables in Cozumel, swam with stingrays in Grand Cayman. I've soaked up the sun on beaches from Florida to New Jersey, and hiked the rain forests in Peurto Rico.

But, I've also rode snowmobiles and 4 wheelers in College Corner, Ohio, spent countless hours in friends' and neighbors' family rooms, hosted impromptu summer parties on our deck, and spent lazy afternoons in the 914 cruising around with no where special to go. Once a month I have 15 family members over for dinner and it doesn't cost anywhere near what Mark and I have spent on overpriced meals just for ourselves. All of it was fun, it didn't really matter where it was. The place isn't what made me happy...it was the people I was with.

I've learned to truly appreciate the people in my life, they don't really care how much money I make or what possessions I have; but they do care if I am "there". Pursuing a job that would take that precious time away didn't make sense, especially when I already have a job that lets me work with some of the finest people I've ever known and provides me a balance of work and home that I would be giving up if I were to leave and go elsewhere.

I know I had a true aha moment because I have no regrets or second thoughts. Have you had an aha moment?