An open letter to my son - Part 16

Generally speaking, people go through life riddled with guilt.  They have a perpetual internal argument between who they have been and who they think they should be.  Many people look in the mirror and absolutely don't like the person who is looking back at them.

You will make mistakes.  You should make mistakes.  
Forgive yourself.  Move on.  
Practice self-acceptance.  Become your own best friend.  

An open letter to my son - Part 15

  Seize the day.  Tomorrow is promised to no one.  

An open letter to my son - Part 14

I can’t count how many times that you have asked me “why?” this weekend.  At 2 ½ years old, you have definitely entered your why phase.  Please don’t ever leave that phase.  

Look around and you will find people going about their days without intention . . . without purpose.  Simply put, they couldn’t answer your question “why?”.  They are just going through the motions and following the herd.  

Don’t buy into herd mentality.  In fact, find reasons to go against the grain.  In Earl Nightengale’s recordings he encourages people to find out what the majority of the people are doing, and do exactly the opposite.  

Be a leader!  

If you don’t understand why things are being done a certain way . . . ask “why?”   If you don’t get a qualified answer, there is probably a better way to do it . . . or it may not be necessary to do it at all.  

If you have a compelling “Why” or purpose to what you are doing the “Hows” will take care of themselves.  That “Why”  allows your mind to find the resources it needs to complete the mission.  Make “Why” foundational to what you do (and how you do them).  

An open letter to my son - Part 13

Your Great-grandfather, Robert, served as a medic in World War II.  I can’t fathom the horrors he must have seen.  Your Gido was also in the Army, as was I.  

They say it’s better to give than to receive.  I believe that you must give to receive.  Service is the only way you can create value for others and for the world.  

I hope you too dedicate your life to serving.  Military service is just one of the many ways to serve.  You may choose to serve your country.  That’s up to you . . . that’s freedom! Regardless of your choice, I hope you respect and honor those who have chosen to have wear a military uniform.  

Just one half of one percent of Americans have served this country in the past decade.  Some of those people gave their life to support the missions of this country.  Find ways to respect and honor those who have served in the Armed Forces.  Their dedication and sacrifices often go unnoticed . . . it shouldn't!  

An open letter to my son - Part 12

You need very few things.  A need is something you have to have.  If you want to know what you need, take a mission trip to Africa.  Go to a remote village.  See what the villagers have.  See what it takes for them to survive . . . that's what you need.  Food, water, shelter, air . . . that's about it.

Everything else is a want.  When all your real needs are met, it common for the wants to suddenly become "needs".

Most people think they "need" smart phones and a car.  Don't become baffled by popular culture.  Most things in your life are nothing more than a luxury.

Stay grateful.  Don't be a glutton.  Realize the stark contrast between needs and wants.

An open letter to my son - Part 11

Sometimes I wonder if you were “born” to be born in Colorado.  You seem to enjoy being outdoors so much.  In fact, when you were a baby . . . if you were inconsolably upset, I’d often just step outside and you would become serene.  

You love to swim, hike, and run.  I encourage you to never lose your awe of the outdoors.  It’s a great way to remember how connected to the rest of the universe you really are.  

Sometimes life will throw you curve balls.  Occasionally you will feel like your world is caving in.  Commune with nature!  Those immense Rocky Mountains can remind you how insignificant your problems are.  Nature will help recharge and reflect on your life.  

When you are feeling overwhelmed . . . let the fresh air, sun and adrenaline serve as your medicine.  

An open letter to my son - Part 10

As I write this, we are 15 days away from a Presidential election.  Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are in the middle of a close and heated race.  The polls show that they are neck and neck at the moment.  

The country is divided and I am not confident either of these guys is fit for the job.  Effective leadership is about unifying your "team" (in this case country).  

Competition is usually between you and you.  But these guys want to point fingers . . . neither seems to want to run on their own merits.  In this election it is predicted that most voters are going to vote against a candidate instead of voting for a candidate they like.  

I definitely have my political leans (which will not be discussed in this forum) but I think both of these candidates (along with almost all of their constituents) should play their own game.  They should worry about themselves or as it is often put "tend to their own garden."  And so should you.  

There are many take home points we can learn from elections such as this.  First and foremost, is do your best.  Don't worry about those around you.  Secondly, stand up for what you believe in . . . but respect others' opinions.  Third, tell the truth and don't try to make yourself look good by making someone else look bad.