Would you rather....
Find a Conversation
Would you rather....
| Mon, 03-06-2006 - 11:21am |
Would you rather....
- Be very wealthy, have a powerful career, but remain single for life.
- Have limited financial resources, with a family and the love of your life.
You will be able to change your vote.

I hate to be repetitive cause I know I've brought this up before, but this has been on my mind the past few days.
I went away on a business trip last week to Daytona Beach. It was beautiful and the weather was great but I couldn't help but feel a bit lonesome as I traveled and stayed there alone.
On the way back in a layover in Atlanta, I stopped at a Burger King for some food. There I was in my business casual attire, on an all-expense-paid trip to the beach where I ate well and schmoozed with doctors and residents from prestigious hospitals. And yet, sitting beside me were two families. The mother's seemed close, if not related and they were there with their husbands and adorable baby girls and a little boy, eating together. Back home, these families would be considered poor, judging by their clothes and demeanor. And there I was, envying them. Because when this day is done, both of those women were going home to a family, a husband and children. Now I don't know the first things about their lives, their financial status or what they have going on. All I knew is they seemed luckier than I, who was going home to an empty apartment with no messages.
I guess I just feel a bit at a loss. Everyone keeps saying how great I'm doing professionally and doing things on my own, but it feels so hollow. So empty. I feel like I have many things, but not enough people in my life and for that reason alone, it doesn't feel like a success yet.
>>I guess I just feel a bit at a loss. Everyone keeps saying how great I'm doing professionally and doing things on my own, but it feels so hollow. So empty. I feel like I have many things, but not enough people in my life and for that reason alone, it doesn't feel like a success yet.<<
If you are doing well professionally, then you have laid a great foundation for your life. Now, you can concentrate on meeting people and making room for that special someone when he comes along.
I feel like you do. I really envy the people with families to go home to (I also go home to an empty apartment and sometimes I avoid going home because it is lonely). But, if you have the means to take good care of yourself and have conquered those hurdles, doesn't it make sense that you also have the skills and tools to conquer the hurdle of finding someone to share your life with? I think so -- especially because you have had the opportunity to get to know yourself, it makes it more likely that you'll find someone who is the right match for you.
I know it's hard in the meantime. I am right there with you (and traveling alone stinks!!), but it's good to pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished, and feel confident that you can go after those remaining dreams in your life.
AJ, enjoying life with C.
I don't think there's a person on this board that wouldn't choose to have the love of their life to come home to. It's what makes us the same.
I completely understand those feelings. At times, I almost feel guilty because I am so fortunate in my career, my finances, my friends, my hobbies, etc. but there's always that one thing that's missing. And you think to yourself, would I trade all of this fortune for the love of my life? On one hand, I would trade it- especially if the love of my life were guaranteed in return. On the other hand, I wouldn't trade one bit of it. My career, the way I manage money, my friends and my hobbies are what makes me, me. I couldn't give up any one of those things and still be the person I am right now.
I think we get caught up in trying to understand it rather than just concentrating on living it. Now that I'm better focused on living with what I'm given and controlling what I can, I get that lonely feeling much less and I've taught myself to really take advantage of times that I'm alone. For example, my feet freeze at night. I can't stand to be cold so I wear socks to bed; big, warm, fuzzy socks. I know this is considered a no-no to most but I'm taking advantage of it. I don't know if that's a good example, but you might be surprised how appreciating little things like that can go a long way in embracing singlehood.
Anyway, I rambled a little there but know that your feelings are shared.
<<>>>
yeah, grass is greener syndrome.
I'd be thrilled to go home to just the dogs.
Maybe I'll get a dog and that will help. ;)
Lesley, I agree that the way we handle our careers and money is a big part (not all, but a part) of who we are and, without it, we wouldn't be the same. Given the extremes of either choice -- love of my life and no money/stability/security, or lots of money and no love -- I would definitely choose love. But, most of us are fortunate that these two things are not mutually exclusive, and that we can have a bit of both (in time, if we don't have them already).
AJ, enjoying life with C.