What Do You Want For Christmas?

5

The significence of the holiday season means a lot of different things to a lot of different people depending on where you are from and your religious beliefs. For me, when I was a kid, it always meant family get togethers. My family is spread all over the United States some living as far as Hawaii. My mother has 3 brothers with families and we have not all been together since both of my Grandparents were alive.

I now have my own immediate family and also 2 children from my first marriage who are in their twenties. The youngest has just recently made me a Grandfather at age 47. I couldn't be happier. Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to be with them this Christmas but will be visiting them soon. This year, the family is coming to my house here in Florida.

I am making this post because I want to make sure that every one remembers why we are doing this. Here in the United States it has become the accepted norm that if you want to excel at your job, you need to put in 50 – 60 hour work weeks. This is as true for corporate America as it is for Blue collar America. Some where along the line we have become obsessed with chasing the dollar and material possesions for a lot of different reasons.

I was a online Ampicillin legal resident of Holland for 2 years and I have traveled and worked in places like New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and South America. I met my wife in Venezuela. The rest of the world does not think like that. Family and being happy takes presedence over money.

This goes out to all you Americans. Don't forget to have fun! Being a workahoic is not going to make you happy. I have a hard time with this myself. The job that I worked when I was traveling required me to work 12 hour days, sometimes for 7 days a week. The jobs usually lasted 3 to 4 weeks and then off to another one.

Now I work a 40 hour a week job, but old habits are hard to break. My wife thinks that I am absolutely crazy. Sometimes buy generic levitra I will get home from work and start working on the computer until 10 or 11 without stopping. Then I'll get up at 3am and put in a few hours before every one gets up.

It's good to know that I can still do it when crunch time comes but I have made an effort to scale back. Since using the planning and the Daily Did Sheet that Alex gave us, I have been able to do away with this type of behaviour. I have a sign on the wall in my office that says "Have You Had Any Fun Today?"

This helps keep me from being obsessed by my wants. All I really have to do is ask myself "why I am doing all this?" The answer is easy. Like they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words."

Alejandro and Mary, and of course Santa

Alejandro and Mary, and of course Santa

With that said, I think I'll take a break, go watch some football, and have a couple coldies :-)

Filed under General, Rants by  #

Comments on What Do You Want For Christmas? Leave a Comment

December 22, 2008

Susan Boscola @ 1:00 am #

Hi JT..

Just a quick comment as it is getting late…

Your recent comment on my blog is appreciated. Love the picture of your children with Santa…I have four of my own and know Christmas can be a very magical time.

It appears you have some great resources which will be useful as I continue to build. Is it that obvious I am new? Lol! What suggestions do you have for me?

Again JT, thanks for reaching out and I will be sure to tap in on your experience.

Talk soon…

Susan

Honey Wesley @ 1:40 am #

Hi JT,

Such a good post about Christmas. I hope it gives everyone a nudge to remember *why* we do what do, and spend some time with the people we're doing it for.

I appreciate you stopping by my blog, and for your helpful comments about adding video. I'm looking forward to seeing the video you're making about it.

Best wishes!
Honey
http://honeywesley.com

Gary Simpson @ 7:57 am #

Hi JT,

I've been meaning to get over here for a while now.

Your Christmas message is very good. It is a GREAT time for the kids. I'll never forget the look on my daughter's face one year when she saw all the presents under the tree. It was priceless!

Oh, and talking about Christmas, WHO here has wasted the opportunity to get a jump on the field in organising their tasks. Get over to Gary-Land and get your early Christmas present – the “ACTION PLANNER” called “Time in Motion.” Compliments of the Gazz-Man.

Merry Christmas to all!

Gary SIMPSON
http://motivationselfesteem.com/talk/

PS: Nice pic!

Lesley @ 10:59 am #

Hi JT,

Lesley Morgan here dropping by.

Love your post on Christmas, and the pictures of the children!

I also worked and traveled for years oversees, and you are dead on about us Yanks being far too serious about "our work", often at the expense of our family, health, and general well-being. There is a mindset here that seems to prevade – if we work 60-80+ we are somehow more noble than those who do not. I have found that not to be true, in the least, by example of living among other world cultures.

Alex Jeffreys gives us good advice, plan you life around the "fun". Schedule it in, if you must, to make it happen.

Keep up the fine job you are doing over here JT! You are on my blogroll.

Lesley "UNPACKAGEABLE SPIRIT"

P.S.
I would very happily, and with great gratitude, like to take you up on your offer to assist in helping me get my PPP up and running. That will be the best holiday present ever, as I am really "Stuck"! :-)

Lesley Morgan "UNPACKAGEABLE SPIRIT"

http//www.lesleymorgan.com
Twitter: @LesleyMorgan

mark terrell @ 4:25 pm #

Hi,

I’ve added you to my blogroll – would appreciate a reciprocal link. Love your blog very clean.
Mark Terrell

http://www.markterrell.co.uk
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Mark_Terrell

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