I've chronicled some of my struggles with the entrepreneur path before, but this post is about the often forgotten beauty of it.
My son is the benefactor here. He was born in the midst of my runnings in the corporate world. He was 4 1/2 when I left. He probably doesn't remember much about the type of man I was in those years of tossing and turning. His reference point of me is during the entrepreneur years. He may have gotten some insight into what running a business looks like. But the following is what I pray he caught:
- The applause and opinion of others is really not important.
- Perseverance is essential to living.
- Love matters more than anything else. Anything else.
- Hope springs from going through tough times.
- My time and touch do matter.
I can't be certain (at least not now) if he has embraced the above list. But it's what I've modeled over the last 6 years-on purpose and by accident. And as I will certainly face times ahead where I will wonder if this path I've chosen is worth it, I will know he is.
Hello Eric!
How wonderful…and I can say that I truly feel you here. I, too, have wondered if my path of entrepreneurship was the right path. And I must admit, each and every time I’ve seriously entertained the thought, God has confirmed & affirmed my decision every time. I chose to remove myself from the corporate world 2 years ago for the sake of my family, and being able to spend more time with my children, passing on the same values you’ve mentioned.
Thanks for sharing, Eric. It’s always good to know that you’re not alone.
Thanks Buzzy! I guess that’s why we’re more like farmers than we realize.
Please forward on the letter if you can.
Ah, Eric, You will always wonder, you will not see the true outcome of this for many, many years. But then you will always question it. I know you don’t know me but will see the name. But, you said it in another blog, “I underestimated the impact of my dads passing— the good & the bad. If I can find it I will send you a letter I finally wrote to my dad and read on his 80th Birthday.