I am a 40-year-old, married father of four. I am a commercial real estate attorney, and have more interests than I have time to pursue. Among my chief avocations are writing, endurance sports and backpacking. My greatest passions are my faith and my family.
February 11, 2008 at 4:06 am
Hi Steve! I see a great Steve now that I know you from your BLOG. Your interests are broad and activities commanding. Wow! Running 7 miles is something. Take it easy guy, you can overdo it. Better read my philosophy in my book “Vibrnt Living” which you can get on my website, linking to “Publications”.
You remind me a bit of my son Bruce. He was a runner too and now an environmental consultant. But his real love is landscape painting. He figures that when he retires he will devote all his time to painting. He paints now for relaxation and frequently has shows and sells his art work. So it sounds like you with your artistic leanings. Take some time off to smell the roses.
Check my BLOG by clicking on the link on my web page. I am impressed with yours and will keep up to date on it.
Fred (Not the Fred Thompson that ran for President!)
July 1, 2008 at 10:53 am
I stumbled on your blog by way of another blog. You have a beautiful family and I appreciate the title of your blog and its meaning.
I enjoyed the visit and loved the pix of Muddy Buddy.
Just out of curiosity–because my husband’s nephew is a real estate attorney as well–and with the understanding that your faith and family is well stated and well chosen as your passions, do you guys ever see your work as any sort of passion for you? Is so, what aspects? If not . . . why do you do it, other than the money. I just . . . don’t quite understand — or is that just not something you choose to blog about?
At any rate, I enjoyed your blog today & will likely re-visit at another point in time.
July 1, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Interesting question Aiken. I have a conflicted set of emotions with regard to work. I am at once profoundly grateful and yet resistant to the demands it puts on my life. You ask if there’s any reason to do it “other than the money.” That’s a pretty big “other than.” I don’t generally fall into the category of folks who constantly crave bigger and better. I try to keep life simple. But I do need to provide for my family, and this job provides well.
Real estate law is not a passion for me, but it is a craft that I enjoy developing. With every transaction I gain knowledge and experience that makes me better equipped to handle the next one. I enjoy being a trusted advisor and adding value to deals.
There are days when I wish that I could live off of my passions – writing, biking, running, backpacking, and music, but my talents are such that making a living off of those things just isn’t to be. I think that we can expect too much of work sometimes. I’ve yet to have a job, and I’ve had many, that filled my cup. As far as jobs go, mine is a good one and I am glad to have it.