How many times have we been sitting at home, feeling guilty that we should be out there doing something else, or at work thinking how much lacking in time we are spending with our loved ones, or with family thinking we are a kill-joy to the barkadas (group friends) we should be with right now..
Well, I've got something to share with you my friends. Don't feel bad because there is no such thing as a “wasted time”. Remember, the time you are sitting at home looking after your kids instead of out there working might be an eye-sore to people out there who look at you as “lazy or bum”, but the truth is you just a became father. An employee who yearns to be home but is at office working right now finishing deadlines has just become a “model employee” to his employer. Someone who is out there having a grand time with his friends has just become a “better friend” and lest he forgot, he's doing himself a favor by treating himself, getting a chance to unwind and having a great, great time along the way. Simply hanging out at home during weekends has just given you a chance to rest your weary body (not to mention having an opportunity to bond with your family members). Someone who has to file a leave-of-absence to attend to his sick parents might be an unpopular move to some bosses, but he had just gained points up there as a filial son. This can go on & on. Lastly just remember “a workaholic employee might be a nightmare of a husband or parent, but an employer's delight just as a dutiful husband/wife is a home's delight but a nightmare to his superior in work.
You see, it's all a matter of perspective. Of course everything has to be done in moderation. There's a TIME FOR EVERYTHING. Over work, over staying at home, over hanging out with friends. Over, over and over is itself not healthy. But as long as your priorities are set straight (which means you are willing to accept that gaining bonus points here will mean losing some on the other end), you'll be ok.
So every time, you hear someone telling you, you have time for us lately? Don't be defensive or guilty at once. Reflect, during those times you weren't with them “where were you?” One thing is sure, you're somewhere else doing some other things. Keep that in mind and you'll be ok. Let me add 1 more thing. Once you accept things as they are, you'll be amazed how simple and uncomplicated a lot of things are. And a lot of times, it's our own needless worries about other people's comment which makes it so complicated.
