On the choice between love and work...

I was reading this article, about the personal choice between love and work. Which one would we choose?

I have always thought of myself as career-minded. You might consider me a workaholic, since I don't mind working weekends, and I certainly don't mind working 90-hour work week. I guess I have inherited that work ethics from my parents.

I never really have had much problem with having to choice love and work in the past, until the time when my husband and I have to decide what we want to do with our long distance relationship. We were not married back then. I was in Australia. He was in Chicago. Our long distance affair had been ongoing for five years, with annual getting gathering. The idea is quite romantic. We would go about our lives, focus on our work, and we'll have long chats over phone often. (Don't ask about how much the phone bill is, though, because it'll pop your eyes.) It's not a bad thing to have five years, free of other distractions, so that we can focus on our career. But then, at some point, the whole premise will get shaky. At some point, when we both know we are serious about each other, we have to do something about our relationship. That's the point when decisions have to be made; our moment of truth.

As I'm in IT, the skills are pretty portable around the world. He's in research (biology), and should not have problems finding jobs in Australia. Eventually, I decided to relocate to America. I've lived in different countries in the past, so it's not that big a deal for me to move. And, I travel light.

It's been a good decision, since things have worked out well, both work and our personal lives. To be sure, personal relationships (be it married or otherwise) are never easy. One would always have to work at it. But I truly believe that, if both parties are willing to try, it'll work out (in most cases).

So, I can empathize with those mentioned in the article, on the need to choose between love and work. I'd say, as one gets older, one tends to lean towards love, rather than work. I tend to be very pragmatic (much like my mother). I'm not sure if I would give up my work that easily, nor would I give up my personal life, for the sake of work. Somehow, I always believe that, I would find a way, if I will it to be. There are times when my husband prods me to spend more time with the family and the kids because I have to work in office for long hours. Instead of quitting my job, I find a way to work from home. While working from home can mean even longer working hours, but having the chance to be with the kids and family makes a world of difference.

I always believe that, with some luck, when there's a will, there's a way.