12/07/2025
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They offered me another project,” my friend said.
“The pay is good. But it means I will not be home for the 10 months.”
I asked, “Do you need the money?”
He paused.
“Not really. But… sayang eh. Extra income.”
I nodded. I understand.
Because many of us grew up in homes where turning down work felt like a sin.
Where rest felt like laziness.
Where we learned to equate our value with productivity.
But here is the thing:
There will always be more work.
There will not always be another 27th birthday for your wife,
Or a Sunday lunch with both your parents still healthy.
Or a random moment where your wife and kids just want to sit beside you and talk.
Those moments don’t announce themselves.
They don’t ask permission from your schedule.
And they don’t wait.
I looked at my friend and said,
“Sometimes, the real opportunity isn’t the project.
It’s the chance to live the life you’re working so hard to pay for.”
This is noteworthy:
Work hard—yes.
But also learn to protect what you’re working for.
Because the most expensive things in life aren’t bought with money—
they’re missed when you’re not looking.
Genesis M. Auza
