Keeping focus

Life will throw curves at all of us.  It is inevitable; we can and should bank on it.  Whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a decline in health, the Giants winning the World Series, losing money, making money, or whatever else.

These things should not be a surprise - well, perhaps with the exception of the Giants winning the world series in 2010.  We are mortal: we live, we die, and in the middle we do all sorts of silly and unnecessary things that subtract from the quality of life, in my humble opinion.  Or maybe it is just I.  [side note, yes, I insist on proper grammar at times, even when it sounds odd]  For instance, we - by which I mean I - fret about family, career, money, friends, homes, clothes, how to write a witty Facebook posting, popularity, being a good employee/spouse/parent/friend/fill in the blank.  With the exception of relationships and duty, I am of the opinion that the rest is really insignificant in the big scheme of things.

Recently, after some curves, I have come once again to a very simple truth.  That is that work serves certain limited purposes but should never define who I am.  While I happen to work as an attorney, being an attorney does not necessarily define me.  I could just as easily, well after more schooling, be a pharmacist, an engineer, an executive, etc.  I hope to never allow my occupation to trump my role as a husband and father and will not sacrifice my family for career advancement.   Now, I am exploring other lines of work outside of the law (and still keeping open the possibility of practice law), but my hope is twofold: (1) to provide for my family, and (2) to do something that I enjoy.  These are pretty basic, of course, but it seems like the hustle and bustle of life keeps us from the simple things: do something you enjoy; if you don't enjoy it, try to find something you enjoy about it; do it to the best of your ability; keep a positive attitude; provide for family; savor every moment you have with those whom you love.

I've spent 5+ years so far as an attorney and counting.  Much of that time has been spent unfortunately increasing the misery of others - I work for various banks, and people are increasingly behind the economic eight ball.  I sue these people for the banks, try to work with them where I can, sympathize with them, foreclose, evict, repossess, etc.  It's depressing work, which has unfortunately jaded me despite my best efforts to resist.  I always try to remind these people that this too shall pass and would much rather encourage and assist them, rather than the banks.  But then again, banks are people too - or at least they employ people.  Nonetheless, I think that I am now ready to do something other than work for banks.  Hopefully something will turn up that will allow me to (1) provide for my family, and (2) do something that I enjoy.  Beyond that, I am keeping all options open and reminding myself that I lead a very blessed life.