This brings to mind a well-balanced three-legged stool and if one leg is to short or to long the stool or our lives become stressful.
 
What takes priority a perfect house, perfect truck, perfect records, the next TV show, family or life?  What is most memorable the last TV shows we watched, cleaning the floor, or time spent with family and friends? 
 
We were just a witness to an unbalanced life where a young lady who is married and in college.  In her mind she has to have perfect grades at the expense of everything else in her life.  With out the perfect grade she will be devastated even though if she would take a minute to look up she would see she is devastating her marriage and family.  During her time to get perfect grades she has dropped out of life and communication.  Will she be able to recover what she has lost?  Only time will tell as she has sent out a clear message that family and loved ones come second.
 
What about the perfect house, perfect yard, perfect makeup and outfit?  What about the trucking business of run run run and never taking advantage of the unique situation that the business of trucking allows drivers to be placed?  How many 9 - 5 people are able to see the Devil's slide in Utah or the Cadillac Ranch in Texas?  As truck drivers we have the unique opportunity to see sites that others are only able to read about.
 
What happens though if we spend too much time seeing the sites and not enough time taking care of business?  One thing trucking is not is a "Paid Vacation" and if we get into that mind set our business suffers.
 
We have to be like a well-balanced stool with our family the seat and the three legs making up our business, having our possessions in perfect order, and free time.  When anything gets out of balance the stool or our lives become uncomfortable and it is time to take a step back and reanalyze.
 
Take time to smell the roses
Keep business in perspective
Take time to enjoy family
 
We only get to do this once and every once in awhile we need to step back and see who or what do we really love?  Is it really the new bathroom or is it our family?
 

Comments (5)

Linda Caffee

Bob and Linda started their driver careers after their children left home for college in 2000. Bob started as a driver for a large motor carrier with Linda as a rider. They decided to enter the Expedite industry as team drivers in 2005 and purchased their first Freightliner. Both, Bob and Linda have had their Class A licenses since the early 80's starting out driving in the oil field and hauling grain as fill in drivers where Bob worked as a diesel mechanic. Linda worked at the local country courthouse in data processing.

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Linda Caffee

Good point Tommy debt is stress and having every known toy to man with debt attached is also stress. Becoming debt free and using cash sure lowers the stress level and increases the fun of living. Thank You for your comments.

August 05, 2016 14:41:02 PM

Tommy Wade

Debt is a big reason that some don't have time for family or relaxing. I'm not talking about a house payment, which many has too big of a house, or a car payment, which many has more car than they need. I know many drivers that have boats, motorcycles, four-wheelers, and many other "extras" which they have to work to make payments on.
It is interesting to talk to drivers that HAVE to work to make those extra payments. They want to brag about all of their extras and then complain that they have to work 7 days a week to make the payments. And the majority puts the blame on others for the way "their" lives have turned out. They blame the credit card companies for giving them a card, their company for not enough miles or pay per mile, and everyone else but themselves.
They all want a simpler life the Amish but they keep on buying the "extras" so they can appear to have a perfect life.

August 05, 2016 13:52:45 PM

Linda Caffee

Craig believe it or not I also have a hard time saying No... It is easier to write about then it is to do. One thing that helps is when we are with family to be with family not on phone or multi tasking. Also when we are out on the road to take the time to walk away from the computer and see what is around the area where we are parked. We only get to this life once and we need to make the most of it.

Stephen glad you brought that up because to often we forget about parents and taking the time to call and visit. Great reminder

August 05, 2016 3:53:51 AM

Craig McCue

Very nice article Linda. Balance in life is something a lot of people struggle with throughout their lives. O/O's have to keep their business profitable and 9-5'ers have to deal with their bosses demands which seem to always be ahead of the employees life. The razor thin line is how to balance your life and it's different for every individual. As I get older I find a lot more courage and ability to tell people/bosses a simple NO, I won't do that or I won't go on that trip or I won't work around the clock because it's demanded. It helps keep me better balanced and happy.

August 04, 2016 8:05:34 AM

Stephen Halsted

Very very well put Linda! Every time we are in the area of our parents we make it a point to stop by even if it is for the day.

August 04, 2016 7:34:12 AM