Wisdom to My Children

As I Enter My 36th Year

I hope you both continue to embrace each other and say “I love you” throughout your entire life. Nothing is more important than family and relationships with others. When your father and I are gone, you will have each other. Do not let petty differences or hurt feelings get in the way of your love for each other. Even if the only way to resolve conflict is through screaming and yelling, it’s worth it. Forgiveness is powerful.

Success doesn’t have to look the same for you as it does for others. To some, success is defined by a powerful career, to others, success is defined by the amount of money in their bank accounts, and still to others, success is defined by how much the world loves them. Perhaps your idea of success is to wake up in a safe, warm home and be able to enjoy the freedom of daily, peaceful walk around your neighborhood. Maybe your idea of success is freedom to travel or to play in a band on weekends. Don’t let the world chain you down with its superficial and unattainable idea of success. You know in your heart what brings you joy.

Money helps you stay comfortable during life’s inevitable crises. When your car breaks down, or you end up with large hospital bills, or you want to go on a luxurious vacation, having a certain amount of money will lift stressful burdens from your shoulders. You only need a certain level of financial comfort. Beyond that, money becomes dangerous. And money cannot bring your life meaning. Worshiping money, working only to accumulate money…