A Letter on Wealth and Wisdom from a Powerful Friend.

It's not about accumulating possessions but about orchestrating remarkable actions. Transitioning from Having to Doing, and from Doing to Being.

GUILLERMO VALENCIA

DEC 30, 2023

As we step into 2024, my warmest wishes to you all. The upcoming letter, though fictional, carries a simple yet powerful reminder. Sometimes, in chasing short-term gains, we risk losing sight of the bigger picture in life. May it serve as a nudge to navigate the new year with a focus on enduring joy, growth, and the meaningful moments that truly matter.

Here's to a wonderful 2024!

Hi Jonathan,

As the chapters of my life inch closer to their conclusion, I find myself compelled to share the crux of my journey, one woven intricately within the world of investments. Consider this missive a compass, guiding you through the labyrinth of existence.

HAVING: The Allure of Possession

In our pursuit of happiness, the siren song of possessions beckons. The desire for a luxurious car, an idealized family, or an ever-expanding social orbit can lead us unwittingly into the confines of social territories. This pursuit, though, transforms us into slaves of our own emotions—bound by the chains of greed, envy, pride and fear. It's a finite game, where temporary victories are overshadowed by the inevitable day of reckoning. A life solely dedicated to having sets the stage for significant loss.

DOING: Liberation Through Action

True liberation emerges when we shift our gaze from having to doing. It's not about accumulating possessions but about orchestrating remarkable actions. Engaging in doing opens new paths, transforms failures into valuable lessons, and cultivates an ongoing process of learning. By no longer tethering ourselves to possessions, we unlock the door to evolution, embracing new processes and opportunities.

The resources required for DOING are courage and time—both precious and scarce. Courage, rooted in mindset, can be cultivated, empowering us to navigate challenges. Time, however, remains elusive, a reminder of life's finite nature. Recognizing this fundamental truth redirects our focus from doing to being.

BEING VERY RICH

Genuine wealth extends beyond possessions. A truly affluent individual isn't defined by grand houses or an abundance of assets. True richness lies in being unburdened by possessions and, instead, using resources to empower others, amplify possibilities, and explore the frontiers of knowledge. Such a person becomes a catalyst for positive effects, with every action, conversation, and business endeavor contributing to the wealth of collective knowledge.

Transitioning from the finite game of having to the infinite game of being marks a seismic shift—from the looming specter of loss to an expansive landscape of perpetual learning. Being, in this context, eclipses having in significance.

Wishing you a journey filled with purpose, fulfillment, and the richness that comes from being.

Warm regards,

David

Wishing you and all your loved ones a wonderful 2024!

Guillermo Valencia A

Brazil, 30 December 2023