Values

He’s all about making a million. His drive for success is so focused that he’s finding himself lost in other aspects of his life. His friendships aren’t solid, he cant make a relationship work and he’s feeling all around empty outside of his business ventures.

So we make an appointment to talk about it. I even confirmed after a few hours: “WE still on?” After some friendly razzing, “See you in a few” he says. Never showed up.

Now I wouldn’t care if he decided he no longer needed to talk. I wouldn’t care if he got caught up in some other shit and our appointment got put to the back burner. What annoys me is that he said he was coming, when he could have just canceled, and this was the third time he didn’t show up.

At a certain point, I made up in my mind that I wouldn’t see him tonight, even if he did end up calling. My time is valuable. When I designate some for you, I expect you to make good use of it. But I wasn’t tripping. I didn’t call or text him, telling him about himself. I simply carried on with my evening the way I normally would have, had we not made plans. And I enjoyed myself. But in the midst of it, I thought a little about his predicament and I found it pretty ironic.

Here you have a man who is ALL about his business. He puts everything he has into it… well that, and his kids. On paper, one could argue that he’s got it all – in the material sense. I know plenty of people who would give an arm to be in his financial position. Conversely, he cant cultivate a personal relationship of any kind to save his life. I offer this: maybe if he placed as much VALUE on his personal relationships as he does on his business ventures, he might have a different experience. Trying to do well for yourself and making sure your children never have to struggle is honorable, but I contend that if you measure success by material gain alone, you will never achieve true happiness. Life is about balance. That doesnt mean dont go hard professionally. It just means go just as hard in your personal space.

Not everyone in your world has selfish motives. Here and there, people actually care and want to see you happy, and if you abuse your relationships with the genuine people, sooner or later, all you will be left with are the moochers and snakes, and whose to blame? If you treat all those people the same way, its no wonder you cant tell them apart. You have to be the person you want to find - in love, in friendship, in business.

But maybe he didn’t need to talk to me tonight. After all, sometimes the best place to find the answers youre looking for is the mirror.