I Do....I Don't???? :S

So just last night at around 11:00 PM I began watching The Big Bang Theory. It’s the show about two physicists, Leonard and Sheldon, their equally nerdy friends, Howard and Raj, their new social neighbor, Penny and their life outside the lab. Now as soon as he meets Penny, Leonard is immediately attracted to her. Sheldon has no seeming interest in a romantic relationship. Howard is overly confident (and therefore a little…no no correction VERY pervy) around women. Raj is too shy and cannot even talk to a woman (unless drunk).

Then today not even 10 minutes ago I just finished watching Up in the Air. George Clooney as Ryan, who is just a guy who fires people for a living and is constantly on the go, flying all over America. He has no aspirations to settle down, get married or have children.

Now what do these two have to do with each other and to do with me??
Both show (which I’m not done) and movie bring out a central argument I’ve been trying to justify as I get older.
Marriage. Settling down. Children
The essential war between married to your family vs. married to your job. Is there ever going to be a balance? If so is it fair? Is it fair to your family? Or is it fair to your job?
I know this conundrum shouldn’t be a bother to me much right now. I’m 17, hey there’s plenty of time to think about it right?

IS THERE?
I’m second guessing that.

I’ve had this conversation with a university professor I volunteered for. We went from talking about the mating habits of spiders (don’t ask) to marriage.

I’ve had this conversation with a friend who seemed quite surprised and maybe a little appalled as to my personal decisions. He wants marriage and children.
Here’s the argument everyone has been trying to beat me down with…and honestly I don’t have an answer to this;

“What are you gonna do when you fall in love?”

You see this is my opinion on things. If you marry I think you should give your all to your spouse and kids. You know being able to pick up the kids after school, going for picnics together, cooking meals…that sort of thing.

If you’re a career person you should give your all to your career. Your career is your spouse and your kids.

I know there are those people who are able to do half and half but I feel like (and no offence to those people) but I feel like that’s kind of being unfair to both your family and your job, because you can’t give your 100% to either because the other is hindering you from doing so.

I mean isn’t the formula to success, happiness and all that stuff come from giving your complete and utter best at all times?

I know you aren’t supposed to mix work and family but inevitably that’s what will happen right?

To me personally I think it would be easier to just marry your career. Why? Isn’t that being more fair and just to your potential husband and children? Spare them the unnecessary grief of not seeing wife/mommy if she’s busy. Not having all of her time. Not have her around when you really need her because she’s got work.

I know that it sounds cold but I was just thinking wouldn’t that save grief for you AND your potential family?

Am I not justified? Have I not posed a sound argument? Or am I being selfish and cold hearted?

Don’t get me wrong I’m not shooting down marriage and family. Go right ahead, it’s just…I don’t know…

…its confusing…

And every time I watch a marriage ceremony (on Friends for example I just watched the episodes where Chandler and Monica get married and the one where Phoebe gets married to Mike) , but every time I see it I’m like imagine wouldn’t their lives be different if they hadn’t said “I do”? Or is that a negative and insensitive thought on my part??
I don’t know and as I get more and more bored over the summer I entertain myself by watching movies and TV shows and people seem to keep getting married or engaged.

The movie that hit home the most was Up in the Air and before that 7 Pounds.

Tell me what you think…

~Live Laugh, ARR