Life Priorities from Mom to Mom
“There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart.” — Charles Dickens
Struggles are often the source of many life lessons and Sandy Hubbard has had more than her fair share of both as she balances life priorities including family, work and school. Co-owner of Luxurious Pet Supplies, Sandy shares about her mom, Linda, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Growing up, my mom always worked 2-3 jobs at a time. My parents had divorced, and she was desperately trying to save the house she, my sister, and I lived in. She missed school functions and didn’t always know what we were up to at night. We never held a grudge. We knew she was doing what she had to — for us. But to this day, my mom constantly apologizes for missing so much of our pre-teen/teen years. In one of these apologies, she gave me the best career advice I have ever received. “Don’t ever forget what you’re working for. You work for a living, you don’t live for work.”
As important as your career is, your family and life are much more important. Don’t let your job overwhelm you, and take away from family time. When you leave the office, leave the job behind. Focus on your family, relax and enjoy every minute.
Are you finding work-life balance? Why or why not?
Tags: gusto, life priorities, living with gusto, living with gusto series, sandy hubbard
Betsy Cross
Thank you. For the reminder! For being you! Have a great day, Samantha.
Samantha Bangayan
You too, Betsy! =) Thanks for being a part of my world! =)
Lucy
Sound advice your Mum gave you. I’ve learnt that very lesson – often to my cost – and now can say that my chosen family and friends always come first.
Samantha Bangayan
I really appreciate you mentioning “chosen,” Lucy. We can stretch ourselves so thin trying to balance every single person including acquaintances, so it seems much more manageable for those closest to us. =) Quality over quantity.
Rob
Hey Sam and Sandy,
We chose to raise funds for Breast Cancer as we crossed the country on our bicycles. The reason is the wide impact it has on women (and even men) around the world. We are pulling for your Mom.
She sounds like a wonderful woman.
Rob
Samantha Bangayan
I had no idea, Rob! =) You guys are truly making a difference in the world! Sending tons of energy your way.
Penelope J.
As a career woman it was a constant struggle to balance my work and my personal life. One thing that helped was being able to take long lunch hours so I could go home and eat with my kids when they got back from school. I was also fortunate to have good home help and a mother-in-law who lived on the corner and kept an eye on them. But when work obligations clashed I had to choose work over personal life. Work came first because that’s what we lived off.
Samantha Bangayan
Ooh! I love the “siesta” lunchtime in Peru too. Aside from rest, it provides much needed family time. But I can see how there may be times when work may take priority. I’m sure you found balance where you could. =)
Penelope J.
Also, good luck to Sandy who, with her mom’s illness, is facing a major life challenge. I know that big advances have been made in the area of breast cancer so hopefully her mom will pull through but it must be very difficult for her mom, her, and her family.
Samantha Bangayan
Thanks, Pennie! I’ll let Sandy know! =)
Janine
Great advice – something we all need to remember is this increasingly busy world we live in today.
Samantha Bangayan
True that! =)
Abe Palmer
What a lesson learning topic. I’m sure there are many people that if they could change the past they would. I defiantly had my blinders on for the first twenty years in my career. For years I convinced myself that if I performed at a higher level at work I was fulfilling my responsibility as the patriarch of my family. I couldn’t see the damage I was causing through such a lack of balance between work and my family. And the consequences that followed my naïve way of thinking will serve as the only failure in life I will never over come. I will forever remember this quote I used to say when I served as a missionary teaching about Eternal Families. “No other success cam compensate for failure in the home”
Nothing is so important that your family should be put on hold.
Nice talking with you again Samantha.
Samantha Bangayan
Thanks for your humility here, Abe. I know I often get carried away with one goal with the best of intentions. I always need these reminders about what my priorities truly are. That’s such a powerful quote you shared. Thanks again for your wisdom, friend! =)