coupla thoughts, Dan...


Aren't you a chemist? Who travels all over the world because your knowledge is sought after ?

In a world of infinite possibilities, the difference between wisdom and foolishness is determined by the hierarchy in our choices. Citing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, you've made choices based on a completely different set of needs than your buddy. Given the choice of devoting time to your career so your family can prosper and your kids can go to college, or choosing to live in Mama's basement so you can use all your time to trim 3 seconds off a guitar run... I'd be hard pressed to even consider the possibility that you chose poorly.

Comparing you to the young 'un who presumed to judge you... in my opinion, you come closer to "having it all" than he does. You have everything he will never have, PLUS 90% of what he does have. With a little discipline, you can have what he's got too... but he will NEVER have what you have. And that simple realization should be factored into your thinking here.

Its like the story we've all heard about determining when a jar is full. Is it full when you can't get any more rocks in? or when you can't fit more pebbles between the rocks? Or more sand between the pebbles? Or more water between the sand?

You put the rocks in first by taking care of the important stuff like education and career. You have the rest of your life to add pebbles and sand and put the finishing touches on the framework of a very good life. Especially since you are probably closing in on retirement.

Others can only judge us based on THEIR priorities... but we live by how well we make decisions that fulfill our OWN priorities. From where I stand, Dan.. your use of time has been far better than the other guitar player's.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0