I live in the USA, a nation that boasts unlimited possibility for the entrepreneurial spirit.  I have access to technology and comforts that are yet to be realized in many other countries.  I possess products that are supposed to save me time.  The dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, electric iron, microwave, refrigerator, remote control everything, desktop computer, laptop, cell phone, mp3 player, and two cars.  Can you think of more?

Yet, with all of these advancements our lives are busier now than ever before in history.  Somehow, we have managed to use our available time to work extra hours, take vacations, and gorge on entertainment. 

Personally, I don’t like to be busy all the time!  I like to get a lot of work done (when at work) and then relax and enjoy my family and not carry all of the burdens of work into my home.  I like to protect my personal life from the stressors of my work environment.  I don’t enjoy not having time for myself each week.  I like to date my wife and show her how important and valuable that she is.

If the above statements are my personal preferences, then why can’t they be realities for me?  Am I too consumed in the pace of advancement that I can’t make the decision to value that which is most important to me? 

Let’s break it down:

If I take the promotion at work, I will be able to afford a bigger house.  Yes, I will be working 70 hours per week, but I will be able to afford more luxuries when I’m not at work.  I understand that I will not be able to spend as much time with my wife and children, but I can start a college fund for the kids and give my wife an anniversary trip to Hawaii.  I may not have any energy to give to my family when I get home each evening, but they will be happy with the big yard and nice house.    Perhaps I won’t be able to make all of my kids sporting events, but they will understand.

Or…

I could choose not to accept the promotion and instead give my extra time to the people that I love.  In the end, which scenario will make me happier?

Maybe I don’t want to be happy, or perhaps I believe that money will make me happy.   Of course, it could be possible that I have not taken the liberty to think differently than the values of a marketing rich society.

We are only given one life; we must not waste it accumulating things that we cannot take with us when we leave.