When can I stop trading my time for money? That's a great way to think of it. I could have stopped a while ago, I'm sure. But, this I do know. My time, regardless of how much I'm being paid, is FAR better used to spend time with young people, making them better people and lacrosse players than it is building AI and analytic systems as a professional.
Life has thrown too many signals my way for me to justify not living for myself and _giving_ back in ways that I uniquely can.
It's this part right here and it's the exact reasoning I do what I do in my free time but for me it's routers, switches, circuits, etc.
Seeing some of these kids graduate (really it started last year for me), really hits home.
Hell this past weekend, I went to a grad party for one of the boys I coached in wrestling. He's going to college to wrestle now and I hadn't actively coached him since he was in 7th grade. He literally stopped the whole party just to call out how I helped him believe in himself as a kid just starting out in the sport.
I tell ya I had no idea what to say - I didn't expect it, I've never taken a salary or anything other than a thank you and the shirt they give to staff members.
Having a positive effect on these kids as they learn and grow means a hell of a lot more to me.
4 years, 2 months and 13 working days until I can pop smoke and retire.
Sincerest condolences on your loss and to the family.
