The Pay-off of Spring

My sincere apologies for being M.I.A. for the past couple of days, but I am a firm believer in playing hooky every now and then, and when the cherry blossoms are out in D.C., I can think of no better excuse. Friday was one of those days -- a cloudless sky, 70-something degrees, and gasp-inducing pale pink blooms seemed to spring from nowhere. Again, I'm reminded why we put up with winter... the payoff is just so great.

Speaking of pay-offs, I sometimes wonder whether owning my own businesses are worth everything I've put into them; the money, the sleepless nights, the lack of a reliable paycheck, the stressful days when I'm ready to give it all up and be a meter maid (Not that I would do that - I think that's got to be a terrible profession. I hope my large readership of meter-maids doesn't revolt, but seriously, nobody is ever happy to see you.)

Anyway, I'm always amazed how one tiny, miniscule piece of news can send me on a high. Hearing from a magazine I've been trying to get into, getting word that a large chain is interested, or even getting an e-mail from a happy customer, can turn my day around and remind me why I chose this life. Just like a gorgeous spring after a particularly cold winter, I remember what I'm doing it for... because this is what I'm most passionate about and because I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

What is your pay-off? What makes it worth it for you?