Best Birthday Ever, Virtual High School Reunion, The Richest Man You Know

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

— Bob Marley

Wow, just wow, the number of messages I got on my birthday reminded me I have a lot of friends. Between Facebook, texts, and LinkedIn, I received too many to count wishes of happiness, love, and appreciation. Thank you and if you missed it, don’t feel compelled to reach out, my bowl of satisfaction is overflowing. Catch me next year!

I talked to one of my school mates yesterday; we are going to have a virtual class reunion. I’ve been thinking of this for a few months.  Why not pull the living folks of the class of 1987 together? No driving, no travel, just open your laptop or other device and catch up on those folks you grew up with, where are they, and what are they doing. I’ve got a small group that will help put this together; it should be epic, you can steal the idea if you like.  

The sun is glistening today, I did sleep in, I missed the sunrise, I got up once the sun was firmly in the sky, unusual, but I think after the long weekend, I needed some sleep. It’s beautiful here, in the ’70s, blue sky, lots of wildlife, I genuinely believe we live in paradise. It’s not a bad place to land for a kid from the cornfields of Indiana. 

We had our sales meeting yesterday, I attended an international board meeting, so my Queen and Dakota ran it.  We had a good month; things are returning to normal, our travel costs have reduced 100%, our bottom line is looking good despite the pandemic. The board meeting was excellent; we had a Canadian, a Romanian, a New Yorker, an Oklahoma resident, and little old me. We talked about our markets, how the pandemic had reshaped our businesses, what we were doing to pivot and adapt. It’s interesting the difference in republican controlled states vs. democratically controlled states; there is a definite line of demarcation. History will show the correct approach, for now, the whims of those in power bound us.

I think I mentioned our governor; a Democrat is allowing us to reopen, our restaurants are opening today at 50% capacity, he is the exception to those locking their cities and states down. I look at what is happening in Michigan, California, and New York and am horrified by the rules and regulations put in place for their citizens. I’m a freedom-loving fellow; I am glad we chose to live in the freedom-giving state.  I think Indiana is opening back up, sounds like we are on a similar path to our other home state. 

I would like to say the media sucks; they are dishonest and paint a simply false narrative. Yesterday a reporter from MSNBC was being interviewed, and he was wearing a mask. His story was that he could not believe all the people in Wisconsin that were not wearing a mask.   He was shocked, confused, and was explaining his concern when a citizen began filming him. He pointed to the man filming and said, “look, he’s not wearing a mask,” and as the camera was pointed on the man, the man said, “um, hello, your cameraman and crew are not wearing a mask?”  The fake media guy said in embarrassment, well, yes, they are not wearing a mask. 

I have some friends that like to correct my soup. They disagree, and I appreciate their sentiment. They have a different opinion on various issues about which I pen my thoughts. It’s great to hear other perspectives. I was sharing this with a client and friend, and he said, “I read your stuff every day and somedays you are left, somedays you are right, but most of the time you are in the middle, you tell them I said you represent.” There, Bruce, I told them, thank you for your comments and support.  

It is an exciting thing to put your thoughts out there daily; I don’t know another human doing this, although I’m sure there are many.  I don’t write for others; I pen my thoughts for my future self. I will one day read these thoughts and think about who I was and who I’ve become. As of this moment, I have a ten or fifteen year narrative of my life; I wonder what 90 years old me will think of 51-year-old me?

I’m looking forward to that experience. If I’m guessing, the 90-year-old me will live on top of a mountain and a beach. Depending on the time of year, I’ll either be filling our bird feeders or taking long walks by an ocean with my Queen. That will be my life, and if I don’t make it, oh well, that is my dream. Dreams are a reality not yet realized.

I have a friend that sends me an email about my work. He claims I am the richest man he knows. I tend to agree with him, not based on my balance sheet, but based on my freedom of being myself. One friend pointed out yesterday on social media, “you are one of a kind,” and I replied, “for a reason.” I live by the Oscar Wilde quote, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”   There can be only one Anson Ross Thompson (Highlander), and I encourage you to make your way, be you, it’s easier that way.

My Queen is up; my heart is full; the coffee is dark, bold, and vibrant. This is the start of another fantastic day; this is my life. I hope you share my sense of individuality and purpose. We are here for a blink of an eye and need to make our impact in our way. Don’t was time on anger, fear, or concern instead lean into joy, happiness, and love for your fellow man, woman, or transgender. Cheers, I’ll see you tomorrow.

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

— Bob Marley