My dad worked like a coal miner when I was a kid. He'd leave early in the morning, well before I woke, up and return home covered in his day's work 12+ hours later. He was a cook by trade but not, I believe, by passion. He grew up in an orphanage and made his way through life without an education or many other breaks in life. 

For him, as I suppose he had me know, his goal was to set me off right. But I noticed some other things that would dazzle him when I was a kid and some way or another that left an impression on me to this day. 

One thing that I thought was, you've made it when you get a nice TV. In the early 90s he got us a 36" TV with picture in picture and a matching stand to put the VCR and Nintendo in. We were set. The Blue Jays never looked so crisp. I can still remember playing Super Mario Kart with that TV and years later having that possession come with us across BC when we moved. 

Later in life when I got my first post-university job I knew exactly what I wanted to spend money on: a TV. It took me some time to part with the one I had in my apartment though, since it was the very same TV my dad bought in the early nineties! 

The point of this? Well, for one, be mindful of what we impress on children about success and our struggles. They might wholly misinterpret the whole situation. And second, remember what you believed as a child about success. You might possess more wealth than you could've ever imagined already. Don't rush past that achievement, in fact reflect on it!

I had a scary moment this Summer while taking a break from Frontier (sabbath week).

I received a call from the Chief Operating Officer from the largest peers of ours based in the United States. He informed me there was a picture on our website that was their property and that Frontier should use its own creative material. 

I reflected for a moment "sheesh we haven't touched our site for years I wonder -" then it hit me. A case study from three years ago had a photo of a transit ad using one of their stock images. I took it down and called him back. He only seemed vaguely aware of the whole situation. 

We have a dozen employees and as many clients. Over a million dollars per year is sent to Frontier and nearly as much each year out its doors. It's not tiny, but it's not a Fortune 500 company either. 

Don't for a second think that there's no risk in business, but also don't think that lawyers protect you or help our clients. All spending decisions you make should be in service to your clients. I've found that this one isn't needed for them. 

Lately I've been running into the typical issue parents have with their child when they say something to the effect of "what did you do today?" or "how was school?". 

For some reason my daughter just shrugs and says she can't remember. And she's six. I can't imagine years into the future. And so, instead of allowing this to be the beginning of growing gap between my child and I, that is the adventures she has that I know nothing of, I thought of another question to ask her.

"Ellie, tell me something you remember."

And boy the adventures she takes me on. I even extended the question to Matthew and wonderment ensued as well. They'd tell me of things I've forgotten, of small moments, of big adventures.

​Who cares about what we did today if they remember adventures from days past. Particularly, this exercise helps me reflect on the past and enjoy their memories, 2 of the 7 items from my 30 to 30 list. 

Fridays for me are what I like to call Father Fridays. I spend the days with my kids and try not to think about work, all the while most of the world continues to work away as usual. 

I also tend to get distracted easily and tend to have more in common with the issues of the work world than Bonnie Bear or say playing on the floor. 

So to try and focus myself on my number one client (my kids) I'm trying to turn my phone off from 8-4pm. If there's an emergency between those times I'll find out at the end of the day. Perhaps more importantly it will teach me to prevent issues like that emergency instead of wishing I fixed that emergency. More likely it fixed itself. 

Meanwhile, I won't lose out on making the most of the few Fridays I have left until my kids are too old to spend their Fridays with me. 

It's Boxing Day - the day (week) of deals for electronics, clothing and other retail wonderment. 

But, did you know, Boxing Day is a British tradition not celebrated throughout the world like in the US? And, did you know the origins of the name? Let me explain:

Its first defined in the 1830s and is defined as the day after Christmas 'in which post-men, errand-boys, and servants of various kinds expect to receive a Christmas-box'. 

And a Christmas box being a present, money or left over food as a thank you gift for a year of good service. Those in service were likely working on the Christmas day, for the wealthy, and then would take the next day off to spend with their families. This tradition apparently goes back to the Middle ages! 

So, as you go about your Boxing Day perhaps think of what gift you can be to those who serve you. And make sure to get that deal on that TV you wanted too.