When to Leave a Rolex at Home

This article is about when to leave a Rolex at home but first, let me set the context.

A few months ago my friend Libbe HaLevy, the host and producer of Nuclear Hotseat, wrote a thought  provoking article entitled “The Last Jew Out of Germany…? A Nuclear Dilemma.” She compared the sometimes loud hints given the Jews of Germany to get out before the Nazi’s took over to the hints of radiation from Fukushima hitting the California coast, where she lives. What to do – move or stay?

Besides giving me a deeper understanding of the dilemma the Jews of Germany faced it reminded me of my brother’s experience keeping his Rolex watch safe.

Winning the very expensive watch in a prestegous sales contest, gave my brother an ongoing reminder of recognition for a job well done. One evening, after work, he was going to take the subway from his suburban home to an event downtown. He first dropped off the Rolex at home so it would be safe, as returning home late at night on the subway, wearing a Rolex, did not seem to be wise.

After the event on his late night walk home from the subway he noticed his street was blocked off, flooded with water. He assumed a water main had broken. However, as he approached his 4 story 21 unit building his eyes deceived him when it appeared the building had disappeared. In the first stage of shock he walked closer and closer but his vision stayed the same. The building had burned down while he was out for the evening.

The fire had been so devastating that there was nothing left – no refrigerators, no furniture, no Rolex watch – everything had melted and burned in the fire.

Libbe visited me last month in Chicago as part of her consideration to move from California back to her midwest family roots. I told her my brother’s Rolex story in hopes it would ease any pressure she might be feeling to “get out of Dodge” fast. Like me, you’ve probably heard stories of people who move from a high crime area to a secure town so the children would be safe. And then, in unfortunate circumstances in this supposed haven of security, one of the children dies in an accident.

What I suggested to Libbe is to follow her heart, not her head. Wherever that leads her will be the right place for her to be. That way, whatever happens, seemingly good or seemingly bad, she won’t look back wondering if she made the right decision.

While you might not have a Rolex watch, which is considered “timeless luxury.” I see you as a living Rolex. You are precious. Perhaps the next time you are deciding where to put yourself weigh in on both your heart and your head, with no agenda, and see which way each is directing you. If you are getting two different answers revisit your thought another day. The time inbetween will allow you to find clarity.