First Idaho Winter

From my new office I can just see the tips of the Tetons off in the distance to the east. Sadly, my first Idaho winter is nearly half over and I've yet to strap on my skiis and head over to Grand Targhee. Which sort of fits the pattern of my first winter here in Idaho. Too much work and not enough play.

Don't get me wrong. Having a good job and work to do is a nice thing- especially for someone trying to support a large family. And the extra work before me right now is the result of a nice job change and career leadership opportunity. But it has caused a tremor in the delicate work-life balance I've labored to create in my life ever since becoming an adult. Years ago I worked with a man- Ray Larson, who stressed the importance of using leave time as it accrued. Ray regulary golfed, fished, played basketball and spent time with family and friends traveling and being with them. Ray retired shortly thereafter having followed the "use it, don't lose it" mantra throughout his adult life.

The result for Ray was a life full of love, friendship, family activities, hobbies and service. Ray's philosophy was that accumulated leave time was symptomatic of a life unlived. Or in other words, it's important not to put off living today for you never know what tomorrow will bring. Sort of a modern equivalent of the old proverb, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". And in the end, living a life that balanced the past, present and future served Ray very well. When a couple years into his retirement he suffered from a minor stroke following surgery (to replace a bum knee from playing basketball into his mid-60s), Ray was quickly surrounded by a loving family and group of friends to help him pass gracefully and quickly through the rehab and back to good health.

My own father lived a well balanced live. At the time I was a teenager he made the decision to step away from his steady 9-5 job and work a small start up opportunity so he'd have more flexibility for family time. We took extended summer trips- many of them to the Tetons, during those years and I was blessed with a rich and wonderful father-son relationship at a key time in my teenage life.

So, back to where this began. My view of the Tetons reminds me of the need for balance. As the Preacher said in Ecclesiastes 3: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.