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I work between 50 - 60 hours a week. I've been working like that for the past 11 years, give or take.

I'm married. I have 3 kids. My wife stays at home to raise them.

I have days where I feel as though I want to curl both hands in to fists and smash every living being within fifty feet of where I stand, especially when they're drunk or high, don't work and are collecting money from welfare. That comes with the territory. It's my chosen profession.

But I grit my teeth when the going gets tough and swallow my anger because I made a commitment to my family - to pay the bills so my wife can raise our children. That's my lot in life. I'm a grunt and unless I win the lottery or sell a book that is well received and opted for movie rights, it will continue to be my lot in life. I accepted that long ago.

We live well. We rarely want for material things. And I spend my time off with my wife and children.

When I have the opportunity to look at the time I spend at work from that perspective, i realize it's ok. And even if it's not always ok for me, it's always ok for my kids - because they're happy and comfortable and have never faced a harsh reality of life without food or light or clothing or heat. I can live with that. No matter how bad it sometimes gets - I can deal with my lot in life to help keep them comfortable, living in an area that's relatively safe, with an amazing mother who works hard to teach them what's right and wrong and is always there to reinforce those lessons taught.

edit: Almost forgot - I'm old and most of you in [insert web forum I post in here] aren't...

Take some time while you're young and single to travel, even if it's just a few towns away. Camp out, even if it's in a hotel or the back seat of your car. Spend some time searching inside yourself to figure out what's important to you and what's not. Write your ideas down so you'll be able to reflect at will. A few words or a few pages - record your thoughts. You'll all, eventually, come to some conclusion about how you want to spend your time. Work then, to make that your reality.

Not everyone will be rich in terms of money - but you can be rich in terms of fulfilling whatever ideas you have regarding the life you live.

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This was a post I made earlier this morning on a web forum where I'm a member. It was heartfelt and well received.

I still need to post up an introduction. Grrr.

My brother is on a plane right now, headed back from Bahrain after a year deployment in the Middle East and Africa. Can't wait to see that little bastard. He's got a few demons to wrestle when he gets home, though and I feel sorrow for him on that point. Of course, I'll be here for him when and if he needs me.

Welcome home, brother.