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Why I Am No Longer An Advisor...Sep 04 '01 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Don't miss your children's childhood. I have had a great run here at Epinions. I have enjoyed the times I have had here immensely. I have made many new friends, and even email some of you from time to time. We have shared two round table gatherings (one in New York, and one in Chicago), and have been through change after change, layoff after layoff, and bug infestations one after the other. During this time, I have gained fifteen pounds, forgot what outside looks like, and have lost touch with my family. My priorities have been all wrong. Travel As you all know, I travel a great deal with my job. I just returned home, after spending a month in New York. I may be spending six straight weeks traveling the world for my job. Although it will be a great experience, and provide plenty of fodder for Epinions, the time away from my family has been tough. I love my family more than anything in the world, and unfortunately, Epinions has added to my growing distance. It has to stop somewhere. I have been gone from home nearly a quarter of the year for the past four years, while simultaneously attending Indiana University, serving in the National Guard, and raising two beautiful children. There just wasn't enough time. I exited the National Guard with eleven "good" years, meaning, I could retire in nine more years. It was a tough decision, but one that my family mandated...it took me away from home an extra 40 days per year. I finished my schooling, and will put further education on hold while I enjoy my growing family. Other Time Considerations Time is a very funny thing. It passes quickly, or slowly, depending on the enjoyment/drudgery of your task. Waiting in an airport can seem like an eternity, while spending a weekend with your kids flies by. So how do we spend our time? Do YOUR children spend their day glued to the television or computer while the bright sunshine beckons them outdoors? Do YOU spend countless hours reading and rating Epinions, while your child is begging you to take them to the park, or bike riding? It is easy to slip into a sedentary stale lifestyle with nothing more to live for than some romantic idea that your opinion actually means something to someone. Yes, many epinions here have touched me. Some profoundly. But no epinion could reach me the way my son's smile can touch me when he's begging to go down the slide "one more time." It means the world to me. He is growing so fast that I can't believe he is almost three. And my ten year old daughter will soon be entering her teen years. Although she doesn't like to be smothered, she certainly likes subtle attention to be paid. Something I have neglected. Health I have always been an avid runner. I enjoy running both as a stress valve, as well as a maintaining a peak state of physical fitness. My running has dwindled down to bare existence during my time at Epinions. Time that I can spend with my family doing athletic activities, certainly surpasses sitting at the computer, while my children mirror my activities with the television. I do not want to raise a couple of couch potatoes. No, instead I should teach them how to live a healthy active lifestyle. Tonight, I took my son on an eight mile bike ride while my wife and daughter had a girl's night out. Although he simply rode in the bike carrier, he really seemed to enjoy it. Boy, what have I been missing? The Answer To This Question The question is...what are the challenges facing a working father? The answer is very simple. Balance. Finding the right balance of time, and activities. Before you know it, your children are grown and gone away. Will you be able to say "My children will always have fond memories of their childhood, which I carefully nurtured?" Will your children give you the same time and attention when you are no longer able to fend for yourself? I can not allow my children's childhood to pass me by, without savoring every moment. Epinions New System Although I held the title of Advisor/Expert for over a year and a half at Epinions, it is extremely unlikely that I will ever hold that position again. My current commitment to my family takes precedence over all other facets of my life, including my computer time. Therefore, I wish to thank all my friends at Epinions for sharing with me, and would like to express my gratitude toward the staff at Epinions for creating a great place for consumers to share their experiences. I am not leaving entirely, but will only post articles when I have something to say, and have time to say it. With that, I say "adieu."  |
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