We must balance work and family, but work and family also balance us.

Work without family = loneliness. Family without work = low self-esteem. Too much of one, and we find ourselves unbalanced. Too much work, and we find pleasure lacking. Too much family, and we find purpose lacking. Work and family balance us out. Family provides an escape from deadlines, performance anxiety, and finding one's worth in what one does. Work provides an escape from relational drama, caring for needy people, and finding one's worth in the relationships in your life. Both are necessary for a healthy, well-balanced life.