Putting it all into perspective

It is a truth universally acknowledged that running your own business consists of highs, lows and the day-to-day of pushing water up hills.

The highs are amazing - that meeting where the customer's eyes light up in true amazement as you show how you are solving a key problem for them. That yes from a superstar potential recruit you know will be amazing on your team. That signed term sheet from an investor that allow you to propel your business to the next level.

The lows of the struggle - the unhappy customer, the employee you worked so hard to recruit and keep from handing in their notice.

It's all there - and it's all part of this journey.

Yet sometimes life comes along and reminds us that this journey isn't the be-all and end-all of why we're here.

Today was one of those days. Touching down back in the UK from a series of incredible meetings that will utterly transform my business - yet it was with dread that I turned on my phone to find out the 15 year old son of a friend had succumbed to his illness.

This boy - this sweet, kind and amazing boy had battled this illness for months with bravery and faith. His family - his father a Rabbi in our community and schools - utterly personifying what it means to have true faith in our Creator. All over the world for months countless people praying, doing acts of charity and loving kindness unified in one single objective of effecting a recovery for HaBocher Naftoli Meir O'H.

But it was not to be.

And the way his father let the world know was through a simple yet incredibly humbling, inspiring and powerful message: "Do one act of kindness today".

As I stood at the funeral less than 12 hours after his passing (as is the norm in Orthodox Judaism) everything was brought into perspective.

As we toil every day in business - enjoying the highs and fighting the lows - the world really is about doing that one act of kindness each and every day.

In memory of HaBocher Naftoli Meir ben HaRov Binyomin Dov.