![]() With this in mind I often look back on my own life and wish I would have done a few things a bit differently, especially with my Mom passing at such a young age. These days people will more than likely judge you by what they hear or read online before they ever actually meet you in person. The teachers like to say that your reputation follows you, but I believe it actually precedes you in life. Just remember it will be written with whatever pen you choose. You are about to embark on a new chapter in your life. in order that I shall not regret the price I have paid for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. God has given me this day to use as I will. Similar to Coach Holtz, I believe it's definitely worth sharing and referring to often. Lou Holtz would pass it out to the Notre Dame football players. I hope you find it to have similar importance and use for when times are tough.I promise there will be those times. I encourage them to read it each morning, just as I do myself. Below is a short poem that I have given to both my children. Moral of the story, by having a deeper relationship with God, I clearly have a much different perspective in life. To say it has been a game changer would be an understatement! The reason I always donate and try to help those in need. The reason I chose to never invest or give money to anyone who is not doing good for society. Hence the reason I choose to never drink and drive. It's this "gratitude" that now makes me pause a bit more often before I make a decision that could adversely impact not only myself, but those I love in my life. ![]() Like I mentioned above, it was not until I found a deeper appreciation for God and strength in my faith that I started to become more humble and approach life with much greater gratitude. In simple terms, I never chose to consider the downside risk for others that were associated with my decisions. But I have recognized most of my mistakes have been made when I did not take into account the ramifications of my own choices and how they would impact those who love me most. I'm not saying it couldn't happen again, because anything is possible. ![]() Luckily I have had a great family like yours and Michelle's parents surrounding me and have been smart enough to learn form my mistakes. In fact your mother and father have helped us out in the past when we didn't have the money to pay my own bills. You may not know it or have seen it in your lifetime, but I have been broke on more than one occasion, it hasn't always been life in a big house behind a big gate. I never shied away from a good party, believed nothing bad could ever happen and never considered the downside risk that could be in the road ahead. In fact, like I've told both Jordan and Kennedy on many occasion, it wasn't until I found more faith in God that my life began to take a more positive turn. But having been a professional trader I learned the 'downside' can be an incredibly slippery slope and something we most often never see coming our direction. I know it's tough to think about the 'downside' when you are just turning 17 years old, have your entire life in front of you and parents that provide you with most all the necessary tools for survival. I can speak from experience when I tell you that I have faced many ups and downs. I am extremely happy to see you've taken the time to go on a "retreat." Though I was never personally given the opportunity to attend a 'real retreat,' I have embarked on several personal journeys that have forever changed my life. Many of you have meet my sister as she always helps with our annual event in Kansas City. I'm a firm believer in paying it forward! I also included a few pics of my sister and her family along with my nephew and his long-time girl friend as they take pics before a high school dance. I just think any time you can pass along life lessons or words of encouragement to others you should take the opportunity and a moment to do your part. I showed what I had penned to my wife Michelle and she thought it would be good to pass long and share as it provides a lot about the life lessons we've collected through the years. My sister asked me to write a letter to my nephew to be read while he was out on a retreat.
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