Dear Max,
I know a lot of people who focus on what other people are doing and where they are at in life. They paralyze their own success by focusing on others.
Focus on yourself. Know where you want to go. Set goals and make it happen.
Do this and you’ll never have to worry about comparing yourself to anyone.
Love,
Dad
The Phenomenals, Circa 2011.
Dear Max,
Don’t wait on other people. Allow yourself to move forward and do the things you need or want to do.
When I was younger I had spent a few years trying to put a band together with a few good friends. We had fun but it didn’t work. When I hit high school at the age of 14 I met my now best friends Frank and Steffen. We started a band and were playing gigs within a month of practice. We learned as we went and moved forward together – and, had a ton of fun along the way.
You could wait your whole life for someone to give you an answer, call you back or start a band like The Phenomenals. You don’t want to do that, believe me.
Love,
Dad
You and me taking a day off.
Dear Max,
“Take a day off when you need it.”
That’s what my dad told me when I was a young boy. He knew I always worked hard and tried my best. Being a stay-at-home dad, he let me use this on more than one occasion to take a day off from school. Out of all of the years I attended grade school I only used this a few times – three or four tops.
He knew I wouldn’t abuse the privilege, and it was just that.
In real world I’ve used this too. To recharge yourself, sometimes you just need a day off. The next day you’re always more productive. Since you’ve been born I have to find ways to recharge in shorter spurts – like sleeping when you sleep. That will change of course as you get older.
Pay yourself first and take a day off once in a while. You’ll be glad you did.
Love,
Daddy
Dear Max,
Talk to the wallflowers, the outliers and the people that nobody else is interested in.
Talk to the weirdoes, the eccentrics, the loners, the freaks and the geeks.
Talk to the ugly, the scary and the disinterested.
These are the most interesting people with the most original thought.
These are the people that need friends too.
These are the people that will change the world.
Love,
Dad
PS: And, by the way, labels on people are in the eye of the beholder. In school, I was labeled by the seemingly ‘cool kids’ as more than one of these.
Dear Max,
Everyone has a story about something they didn’t buy. Maybe you were in the right place at the right time or you have been searching for something your whole life, found it and passed. You claim it was too much money or you’ll see it again. Maybe you’ll buy it online when you get home.
My Grandma Iva went to New York and wanted a crystal statue of liberty. I was in Arizona and didn’t buy a really unique cowboy hat. A friend of mine was in… I could go on forever.
What’s the moral of the story?
Buy it when you see it. You’ll have an even better story and 20 years later you won’t miss the extra few bucks it cost.
Love,
Daddy
Dear Max,
In PR we always tell our clients that “nothing is off the record.” This is not only true in public relations but in life. If what you say has impact, make sure it has the right impact you want. And, if you think it doesn’t have impact, put yourself in another person’s shoes.
Gossip is rampant today and you don’t want to be involved in it. Trust me. You are never sure who you can trust. People have their own agendas at times and they may tell a seemingly private conversation to someone you didn’t intend to hear it.
Be clear to the point you are making. Know your stance but don’t be over critical of others. Words have a lasting impression on people; you’re always on the record.
Love,
Dad
Dear Max,
What would happen in life if we never asked questions?
Would we ever learn the things we truly need to know about in life?
Would you have the same experiences?
Would you get good grades in school?
Would you be successful in a career?
Would you know how to take care of yourself in the real world?
What if we never questioned someone’s motives?
What if we believed everything we were told?
Would you be able to do anything without Google?
Have you thought about how life would be if we weren’t allowed to ask questions?
Do you want to find out?
Love,
Dad
Dear Max,
Wear the fancy clothes and use the fun things. Don’t save them for a special day. Every day is special.
Love,
Daddy
Dear Max,
I love you. Just thought you should know.
Love,
Dad
Me surprising your mom with a song at our wedding. August 27, 2010.
Dear Max,
I love the element of surprise – and so does your mom. Finding ways to surprise someone important to you is one of the best ways to keep a relationship fresh.
When your mom and I started dating I started a tradition. Every time we got on a airplane together I would bring her a surprise – mainly designer sunglasses and jewelry. I got this idea from my Dad who gave me something to give my mom on one trip the two of us took to Florida when we planned on moving there. By now you would think she would expect it, but she doesn’t. Somehow I’m always able to keep it fresh.
Another thing I love to do is give her presents before a holiday. She may expect it on Valentine’s Day but she sure would never expect it four days before. There were some years that I would give her presents every day up until Christmas, just to see that smile again and again.
Everybody loves surprises. Give them to friends, family and lovers, and watch the love grow.
Love,
Daddy
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