Here in Greenville, South Carolina we just had a pretty big snow.  Apparently it was one of the biggest snows in years.  At our house, we got about five inches of snow. I also have an 18 month old son who was getting to experience his first really big snow.  For two days, nearly all he said was “snow, snow, snow…”

Of course, the one day that we get snow I am scheduled to be in court for three different hearings.  I am spending most of my time checking my iPhone or the local news station to see if the court has been closed because everything else in town is closed.  And just my luck, the court says they are going to be open on a three hour delay.  That means one of my hearings is cancelled, but the two afternoon hearings are on.

I get on to my wife and friends about working all the time.  I strive to have balance.  I want to be a great daddy to my son and be there with him, especially during cool times like this when we get an extra day away from the office.  But I can’t just skip a hearing.  So we play for a little while in the snow and then I go in to shower and suit up for my hearings.  I had a little work to do at the office in preparation for the hearings so I had to leave a little early.  Once I arrived at my office I had received several voice mails from the Court stating that all of the hearings had been cancelled for the day.  Now, I was a little relieved because my mind was at home with my wife and son, but at the same time I was at the office, alone, with some quiet time where I could really get some quality work done.  With the intention of staying just a “little while” I spent nearly four hours there working.  I’m sure it was all extremely important and time sensititve (insert sarcasm).

I felt pretty convicted as I thought about it later that afternoon.  I give Steph a hard time about working crazy hours as a CPA, but when I have the chance to take off and get home I chose work.  While I “talk” the “talk” about family being one of my high priorities, when it came time to walk the walk, I failed.

Are there areas in your life you are failing at that you claim are “important” to you?  Don’t waste another minute.  Do an inventory of your life and your values and make sure everything is lined up or get a plan to get them lined up ASAP.

You can check out some of our other snow day pictures here.