Not doing what you love for a living

What makes you money in life, and what makes you happy in life, aren't always the same pursuit. It's nice when they overlap. But capitalization can make you hate what you once loved, and conversely, giving to much of your heart to your job may eventually break both. I am getting clearer about a few things I need in order to be happy: 1) I must spend time doing things I love; 2) I must have income; 3) I must have time for myself; 4) I must have time for my spouse and children; 5) I must feel like I am growing. My job has to accommodate all of this, but not provide it. I don't have to make money doing what I love, as long as what I do to make money doesn't steal ALL my time and energy to do these other things as well. I just left a position that needed to much from me. I was miserable, and so were my employers. I truly understand now, the adage that a job will never "love you back." Jobs demand attention like children, but rarely provide equal compensation. *I* have to decide what I can give well, and stop giving beyond that point. My employers will thank me, and so will I. In the meantime, I continue to search for work based on my expertise. I can do some things better than just about anyone. Those skills are worth a lot, and make sense to capitalize upon. But they are not me, and they are not all I can do.