Taking Stock – January 1, 2012

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“A brother is a friend given by nature.” -Gabriel Legouve, writer (1807-1903)

If you’re lucky, your brother is your best friend given by nature. If you’re even luckier you have more than one brother. I’m lucky on both counts, grateful for my 2 brothers – Randy and Matt. Matt followed me to Indiana University, passed the Indiana CPA exam on his first try, and runs his own successful accounting firm in Indianapolis. Randy and I are in business together in the NYC metro area and he’s as good a friend as anyone can have. Despite being in different areas of the country, having different interests and political views, the 3 of us are as close as brothers can be. For that I am blessed.

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“Honor thy father and mother …” says the 5th Commandment. As kids we found it just a bit difficult at times to swallow that one. As we got older we began to see our parents as people, not just our parents. The ability to see them as people was a life-changing epiphany, evoking empathy and compassion for our parents. Honor and cherish your parents as they will not be there for you forever. Do not waste the time you have with them harboring grudges and unresolved issues for once they are gone the grudges become trivial and the issues remain unresolved.

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“Teach your children well …” –Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Please do teach your children well. Teach them to receive others with open minds. Teach them not to judge others. Teach them the value of education and hard work. Teach them to leave their marks on this world through their accomplishments, and their love and compassion for others.

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“Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” –Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Discuss or argue politics – in a democracy you are free to do so. Rant at the government and its politicians – in a democracy you are free to do so. Cast your vote to shape your government – in a democracy you are free to do so.

If you live in North Korea, Syria or Iran you are not free to do anything. As you read this Syrians are being murdered by their government for exercising those freedoms. As you read this Iranians are ruled by the iron fist of a brutal sectarian government. As you read this North Koreans are prisoners of a ruling cult of personality.

Challenge your elected representatives. Protest against Wall Street. Decry inequality. In a democracy you will not be shot in the streets or hauled to prison. Cherish your freedoms. As of January 1, 2012 they are not universal.

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