Chapter 1, Part 2: What advice would you give to future generations in your family?

6. ?LIVE YOUR LIFE, NOT OTHERS’

Living life is like swimming in an Olympic pool; everyone has their lane. ? When one person moves into someone else’s lane, they cause the other person to stumble and begin swimming in the wrong direction. ? We all have our own life, with our own lessons to learn. ?The moment we take on someone else’s lane (life), we are now taking away their opportunity to learn the life lessons they are supposed to learn. ?I used to rescue everyone around me, thinking I could be like Mother Theresa, and save people. ?Everyone has their life to live, and today I choose to swim in my lane.

7. ?CHANGE YOUR LENS: LIVE IN GRATITUDE

It has been said that gratitude brings forth the feeling of abundance and grace. ?I learned about gratitude a few months before my oldest brother Fernando passed away of a Glioblastoma (brain tumor). As I read his favorite book “Don Quijote De La Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes, out loud, I noticed his body had deteriorated so much that he wasn’t able respond, even with a smile. ?I knew he was listening when I observed his fingeres move ever so slightly. ?I remember one of those nights writing in my daily journal: ?“How am I going to get through this? …. I got it! ?I will just be in GRATITUDE!!! ?From that moment, my outlook on life changed; Just like changing the lens in a camera, I changed my perspective. ?I was grateful for his little finger moving to communicate, instead of the rest of the body deteriorating. Today I constantly look for things to be grateful for. ?No matter how tough the road may look, there is always something to be grateful for; all we need to do is change our lens.

8. ?PRAY OFTEN AND KNOW GOD HAS YOUR BACK

It is February 8, 2024; last week I was honored to host a number of leaders at our Country's National Prayer Breakfast. ?Eisenhower started this legacy, and every year since, each US President has hosted world leaders in DC to pray for our country and our world leaders. ?Inviting people to this year's event was a privilege that felt like such a huge responsibility. I prayed over each person I invited, as they needed to be the right people, representative of other leaders in and out of our nation. ?I hosted 17 leaders from 5 different countries; many were members of Parliament, Congress, Senate and Business leaders. After the event, we hosted a private closing dinner at the O-Mansion (everyone must take time to spend at least one night there, and get to know H.H. Leonards and Ted Spero, guardians of this amazing sanctuary). We each shared key lessons from the events, and what we’re going to do differently. The major lesson shared was the power of prayer. It brings us closer together, always. It also gives us hope, and a common purpose. ?It occurred to me that the best way to live our life is to slow down, "breathe in Jesus, and breath out Jesus." How simples that? ?

9. ?CELEBRATE & HAVE FUN

It was 2:30 am whenI finally finished the last sentence of my dissertation. ?I woke up everyone in the house, we all gathered together in my bedroom, said a quick gratitude prayer, everyone rejoiced and celebrated this moment, then we all went back to bed. ?Last month I hosted my dear friend Nienke van Bezooijen after she recovered from a near death illenss; after seeing her do a "happy dance," I asked if we could lift this moment to God in gratitude; we said a quick prayer, and I was complete. I have since done this with dear friends and colleagues on the golf course, at business gatherings, in my office, and everywhere in between. ?Today I even pray with business clients before we begin woking together. As my father always said: ?“Life is beautiful, knowing how to live it.” Celebrating “Moments,” is like slowing down to take the perfect picture. Today I lift Moments up to God in a quick gratitude prayer, and then I am complete. ?

10. ?TAKE TIME OUT TO THINK AND RE-BOOT

I don’t know about you, but I tend to go all out, all the time. ?As my dear friend General Julie Bentz, PhD (Ret) said when I interviewed her for my book: ?“Go for broke, man!!!” in answer to the question: "What advice do you have for leaders around the world?

To me, going for broke means, leave nothing behind; give it all you’ve got! AND at the same time, take care of your body, mind and soul, as this is your vessel… your instrument. ?Find your “happy place,” and go there regularly to reboot; you will never regret it. My happy place is now my second home.