July 2, 2014
Dear granddaughter,
How are you? I am looking forward to seeing you later this summer. What is going on with you? What are you doing this summer? When do you start back to school? I enclosed an envelope. If you get time, write me about your activities.
Things are hot over here. Today it will be 111. Your cousins are also enjoying the summer. Both got good to excellent grades for the last school year. Haley has a boy friend, so she is over the moon.
I got a computer installed into my chest a couple of days after Noah’s bar mitzvah. It is called a pacemaker. Seems the top part of my heart wasn’t communicating correctly with the bottom part. So we installed a little technology to make it work better. All is good.
Debi is having some work done on her teeth this summer that is actually a pretty big deal, but she’ll work her way through that, as she has with other things.
So, that’s a little update on Scottsdale activities.
I ran across a piece of writing the other day that I wanted to share with you. It addresses ten things that you can do to become successful at anything you want: a hobby, a sport, an interest in music or science, a work related activity, or anything. This guy captured some ideas that hit at the core of my beliefs.
Here is the list:
- A positive attitude
- A definitive goal
- A courageous spirit
- An inquisitive mind
- A strong heart
- An analytical brain
- A focused eye
- A fearless approach
- A disciplined tongue
- A clear conscience
I have enclosed with this letter the author’s full description of the traits.
Let me step back. We all want things. We want to be a sports star, a great musician, a person with a lot of money, a superior student, a person with an advanced degree, a person with a special skill, a popular person with lots of friends, and so forth.
But many things need to happen for you to fulfill your desires.
You cannot influence everything. Some factors are beyond control. They depend on luck or unexplained circumstances.
However, you control every trait on this list. Understand these ten traits, practice them, act on them and you will almost surely have a great life.
Successful people learn to separate the things that they control from the things that they cannot control; and then focus their energy on the things that they control. This is the secret formula. Focus on the things that you can influence. Accept, good or bad, what you cannot influence. Understanding the difference between the two, and acting on these differences, is a key to happiness, and also a relief valve for anxiety.
What is the meaning of the word control? The word means that your actions can make a difference. It means that you can determine the actions on your own. You get to act. No one can stop you. You are in charge. You are the captain of your own ship.
OK. Are you still with me??
If so, take a look at the piece that I have included with this letter. This writer did a wonderful job of identifying and explaining this set of traits. I thought he wrote with honesty and clarity. He listed some traits that I have not seen listed before. I encourage you to read and think about the meaning of his words.
I know that these ideas are not easy. I am challenging you, with some help from your parents, to take on subjects that may be hard at your age. But, as I have said before, I may not be around when you are really ready for this stuff. So I send it now.
Have fun. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Remember that Debi and I think about you all the time and love you very much.
Pappi Jack
