Day 39

Day 39: Three Things Needed

Wednesday April 6 2011

A fellow traveler and high school friend once told me, “There are three things you need to travel: money, time, and health.  You will rarely have all 3 at the same time, so when you have 2, you gotta go for it.”  I’ve repeated that advice throughout much of my life, but so many times I have lost sight of the essence of it.

A new potential job offer has arisen, back in Los Angeles.  Although one of our goals is to relocate, and the job consists essentially of no therapy (something I need a break from), I have reservations.  It is the money factor.  I would be making at least 1/3 less.  Can I handle it?  If so, it is for the hope of having a more enjoyable life, less stressful work, a job more fitting with me, but less money.  I am not materialistic or money hungry, but could my ego handle making 1/3 less? 

I highly commend my friend Pam who went from being a pharmaceutical sales rep in San Fran, free new car (which always changed every 6 months), and making over six figures a year.  To going back to school and struggling the past several years to do something she is passionate about…being a physical education teacher.  She took out all her savings to go back to school in Hawaii.  She has a clunker for a car, and the past several year balances 3-5 jobs, but now she has settled into a FT teaching position and admits her happiness and improvement in quality of life.

Today I can’t help but think of that phrase: money, time, and health.  At this current job I definitely have the money.  Ironically I make a lot, but have none leftover.  And although I get much time off, it doesn’t feel enough.  In addition, my health has dissipated the past six months, getting sick practically every other month.  My body feels depleted and burnt out.

The future job first off lacks money.  I know the work would be more align with who I am therefore, I expect my health to be better.  And time, potentially the same or more of it.

How do you make a decision and balance the importance of things?

When tourists finally decide to make a trip, what weighs their decision?  What has weighed yours?

Ironically, money, time, and health are all relative.  Two days, Two weeks, or Two Months.  Vacation vs. time off between jobs.  $1000 vs $10,000.  Credit cards or cash.  And health is another factor.  Aches and pains vs a life threatening disease? Ironically, it may be those diagnosed with fatal diseases that take the jump to travel, because time is fleeting (Watch the Bucket List).

These three factors of money, time, and health rule much of our life.  Where are you abundant?  Where are you lacking?  How will you base your next decision?