Jay:

You over simplified. The priorities are first self and family with the job something to support the family -- welcome to corporate America. If the job is making it difficult for you and your family to survive then it's time to jump ship - period. When your wife is considering divorce, your own health is deteriorating and, certainly in John's case, the job is exacerbating the problems, then by all means quit now, not later.

John did the right thing in leaving, he just waited too long. MS had their simplistic requirements, "do your job". Likewise John has his, "contribute to, don't detract from my life." John appears to have been meeting their requirements. It doesn't look like MS was meeting his needs. As much as we all appreciate VFP, from John's perspective, it isn't worth the sacrifice of family and health.

As for the strong feelings, etc. Well, we are emotional beings, sometimes a little too emotional, sometimes not enough.

JMHO,

Scott