In order to achieve any meaningful goal, you have to prioritize that goal, and when people prioritize their goals, they may not be available for other matters. That's the way life is and we have to respect the priorities our loved ones choose. Even if we don't understand those priorities now, it's likely that, in time, those priorities will make sense to us.
I thought about this as I missed a loved one's presence at family events. That loved one simply could not attend family events often because he had other, more important priorities. I know his priorities are well directed and I know that his priorities will take him away from the family often. No one can do all things in life, and we're all called to different priorities. We have to give our loved ones space to focus on their priorities, the important ways that life calls them.
Similarly, we have to respect our own priorities. We can't be all things to all people, and we have to respect the choices we make if we prioritize with care. As an educator, teaching took priority for many hours each day--there was no way I could do the job well without a deep and time-consuming commitment. Other than my family, I chose teaching above most other life events and interests. Looking back, I think I could have balanced that commitment a bit more with my commitment to friends and health, but in general, I'm happy that I prioritized my teaching work in many positive ways.
Like our loved ones, we'll all travel many varying paths, and the more we focus time and good energy on our priorities, the better we'll be able to fulfill the priorities we've chosen. Making good priorities and working towards those goals adds up to a positive life, and we have to respect our loved ones for creating and living their best lives. Onward.