Insights for Life

This week I turned the big 5-0. It was truly a time to reflect, as I never thought I’d ever make it this far. I always thought one of my crazy activities would take me out sooner. But as the years keep ticking there is a lot to be thankful for in my life with a career that is my mission, a loving family, gracious friends, and for all the incredible opportunities and experiences that make my world special. Thank you to each of you for bringing meaning into my life and impacting my world each and every day.

As I reflect on fifty years of life, I’ve come up with a short list of insights I’ll call Joel’s Joules:

1. Every “yes” and every “no” changes the rest of your life. So make sure each one really counts. 2. There’s no gift you can buy that’s greater than being present. 3. The most attractive trait is the trust in bearing one’s soul. 4. The only way to get through today’s anguish is to focus on tomorrow's possibility. 5. They say it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. It may be true, but if who you know doesn’t care to know you, then why would you know them at all? 6. Leading without integrity is worse than never leading at all. 7. Pouring your heart into something you love is more fulfilling than any reward that can ever be received for doing it. 8. True friends share your darkest days, even when you don’t feel like having them around. 9. The greatest love is sharing the experience of the greatest pain. 10. There will never be enough time. So do it knowing time will find you.