newbuzz...I feel guilty because I stayed home from work today. I am sick and I just wanted to rest. I did not get dressed, I did not go anywhere. I just stayed in my pajamas and either slept or watched television. Now that the day is done, I feel a little better and I do not feel any worse. Then why do I feel so guilty? The sore throat and aches began a week ago on Monday. This was actually the tenth day of my illness. If this is a virus, I should be on the mend, but I am still coughing, my ears hurt, and I am tired. I have also earned 55 hours of vacation and 20 hours of personal paid leave time since January 1st. Taking off one day when I am sick should be a good thing. But it feels bad. It feels like I am breaking the rules. It feels like I am being dishonest or untrustworthy somehow. This is the work world that I live in. This is the bearish economy telling me to keep working no matter what. I should be thankful to have a job when so many others are unemployed. This is what I call the "worry" propaganda and it is amplified when we hear stories on the news like the recent case of a woman who was fired from her job because she was on Facebook when she was home sick. The truth is, I am thankful to have a job. But I am also thankful to have paid sick leave and personal paid leave. And I am smart enough to know that in business, you must use it or you will lose it. So I am going to fight the guilt, give in to the bug, and feel blessed to be wearing some really comfy pajamas.