Work-Life Harmony: A Reflection on Priorities

I was recently reminded about a time 14 years ago when I said goodbye to a dear friend. At their funeral, someone shared words they had often lived by—phrases filled with wisdom and lessons learned over the years. During those days, I also heard others speak phrases that struck a deep chord: I was going to... We were planning on... I wish I had...

Hearing those words reminded me of the fragility of time and how easily we can get caught up in the demands of life, leaving important moments unspoken or undone. If there is someone close to you whom you’ve been meaning to reach out to, or something you’ve been postponing because you’re too busy, don’t wait for tomorrow or for when it’s more convenient. Life moves quickly, and sometimes, tomorrow never comes.

We were planning on doing many things back then, but life and work often pulled us away. Now, those plans remain unfinished. I wish I had taken more time, reached out more often, and focused less on the urgency of work and more on the importance of connection. Moments that seemed insignificant back then feel so meaningful now, and the thought of I was going to... is a heavy one to carry.

This experience reinforces why I’ve always embraced work-life harmony. It’s a reminder that nothing is more important than the people in our lives—our friends, our families. Work will always be there, but those precious moments with the people we care about? They won’t always be. Don’t let I was going to... be the phrase that defines your relationship with those who matter most.

Work-life harmony isn’t just a concept for the career—it’s a principle for life. Take the time now, not later. There may be no tomorrow for some of the people you care about. Prioritize those moments of connection and presence, because at the end of the day, nothing is more important than the relationships that make life worth living.