A reflection on family, work, and the trap of always filling the vessel with more.
We’re gearing up for an adventure! I’ve been ruminating on it for days, eager to create a memorable experience for my wife and daughter. With my wife’s birthday approaching, the clock is ticking. Planning for birthdays isn’t typically my forte, and I recognize that this oversight is one of my less admirable traits.
Meanwhile, she’s been browsing Disney, quaint restaurants, and local excursions—her subtle reminder that I often miss the mark in celebrating her.
So, I proposed we escape for a bit. It’s been ages since we reconnected with family and friends. The moment I voiced it, she sprang into action, reaching out, coordinating, and making sure it actually happens.
Why did I hesitate for so long?
Part of me felt it was irresponsible. We’re still building our businesses, and financially, we’re not thriving. Shouldn’t I keep grinding? Shouldn’t I hunker down until the dust settles?
Yet another part whispered: if we say no to life, what’s the point of the hustle? It would reduce my existence to the same grind as before – to busy to actually live.
The job wasn’t the barrier. My mindset was.
This trip feels like a choice, yes to family, yes to experiences, and yes to a life worth living.
The Workaholic’s Dilemma
The last few months have been enlightening. I’ve penned countless words and discovered new paths for connection. While I haven’t found the magic formula for a larger audience, but I don’t want tricks. I crave genuine growth who find value in what I share.
Yet, I grapple with conflicting thoughts.
I tell myself I’m being “kind” when I cut myself some slack. But am I really being kind, or just letting myself off the hook?
The reality is that I’ve become remarkably efficient. Tasks that once devoured five hours now fit into one. Yet instead of making room for life, I merely cram in more work. The vessel just fills again.
That isn’t discipline; it’s dependency.
I sidestep the essentials of living—health, family, rest—out of unwavering loyalty to earning a living. And this loyalty consumes everything around it.
The Dance of Grace and Grit
Herein lies the paradox:
- Too much self-compassion, and I drift aimlessly.
- Too much discipline, and I face burnout.
What I seek isn’t indulgence or punishment—it’s harmony. A way of living where my efforts align with the life I aspire to create.
This means pausing when the vessel is full. It means embracing family commitments, even when it feels “irresponsible.” It means understanding that efficiency is futile if it doesn’t carve out space for what truly matters.
The Journey Ahead
So, we’re taking a break—not just to celebrate, not just to reconnect with people we love—but to practice the life I claim to be building. To learn how to carry work and family together, without letting one eclipse the other.
Perhaps true discipline lies not in stuffing every crevice with more work, but in resisting the urge to let work become the only vessel I fill.
👉 For readers: When efficiency gifts you time, do you spend it on life – or just keep pouring in more to the vessel?
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