A Short Letter

Some of you know I’ve been in California the past four days. It has been a time of self-reflection, learning, and reuniting with friends.

I’ve had a lot of time to read and I want to share something that really impacted me. Below is a letter from Harry Browne, an American writer, in a letter to his 9-year-old daughter on Christmas:

“I want to give you something that will stay with you for more than a few months or years. I want to give you a gift that might remind you of me every Christmas.

If I could give you just one thing, I’d want it to be a simple truth that took me many years to learn. If you learn it now, it may enrich your life in hundreds of ways. And it may prevent you from facing many problems that have hurt people who have never learned it. The truth is simply this: No one owes you anything.

You owe it to yourself to be the best person possible. Because if you are, others will want to be with you, want to provide you with the things you want in exchange for what you’re giving to them. Some people will choose not to be with you for reasons that have nothing to do with you. When that happens, look elsewhere for the relationships you want. Don’t make someone else’s problem your problem. 

Once you learn that you must earn the respect and love of others, you’ll never expect the impossible and you won’t be disappointed. Others don’t have to share their property with you, nor their feelings and thoughts. If they do, it’s because you’ve earned these things. And you have every reason to be proud of the love you receive, your friend’s respect, and the property you’ve earned. But don’t ever take them for granted. If you do, you could lose them. They’re not yours by right; you must always earn them.“

Focused effort, an environment of learning, plus most importantly, enjoying the game are all focuses for 2020.

Happy New Year to all of you! I’ve thought of you a lot in my reflections and am excited for the future. 

Michael