But I am rich...

Recently I was texting someone about my Blockchain adventures and how I was participating in an ICO  — the response was, "Let me know when you are rich" (plus a smiley face). To that I responded matter-of- factly — 

"Well I have a loving daughter, lots of deep friendships, I have my health, I'm still eager to learn things, I live in Canada, I laugh more than I cry, and I've seen enough of the world to want to see more... I am already rich"

I will admit I am hesitant to even write about this because wealth (and its proxy money) is a topic that can galvanize, inflame, divide and inspire all at the same time... it's such a loaded topic. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what "means" can offer (my term for money) — it can give you a more comfortable life, bring influence, help you attain better health, and buys you all kinds of "stuff". I understand and buy into why we want money, but there is always the ever present question, "Does money indicate you're rich?" (as well as its many other iterations).

"Having money simply indicates you have money", and I am always hesitant to correlate it with being rich, being successful, being smart, being happy, or anything else you may want to use money to identify with.

I suppose it comes down to what is important to you and the indicators you use for achievement. I will say quite candidly though, this whole topic can easily become a big semantically and philosophical mess, and in my experience never leads anywhere good when money is used as a life indicator. As a general rule I rarely talk about money.

That is unless of we are talking about managing OPEX, revenue forecasting, or raising money for a venture — then I'm all in.

iamgpe

If you are a Millennial this is what you need to know about me...

There was a time (which I admit seems like many lifetimes ago) where I was actively involved in hiring and working with people at the very, very end of the Gen X tail and at the very beginning of the Millennial generation (or in those days what we affectionately called the whY Generation) — frankly I'm not sure the distinction even matters because they all came to the table with great potential. It was a time of "high adventure"... with countless memories and stories that come with that kind of swashbuckling.

One such memory involved us in a classroom with everyone seated in that classic U shape arrangement listening to one of my colleagues at the front of the room; another colleague and I were seated at the back observing. As we were whispering to each other (which I will admit can be rude), a person close to us turned and said, "You're judging us aren't you?"

There was a moment of confusion and then I looked at her and said, "No we aren't". Then I motioned for her to pay attention to the front, looked back at my colleague, and stopped whispering (well for a little while at least) — again I will reiterate the whispering was a little rude. I will never forget the question though (or the concern that could be heard in her voice).

Now fast forward a little more than a decade when just last week I was talking to a Millennial about his website; when I asked for the web address he said sure, and then went onto ask me not to be "judgy". 

I think maybe it's time for some clarification, and to set the record straight when it comes to me.

For the record —

• Of all the generations I've worked with so far I like the Millennials the best. 
• I never judge when I'm having a discussion (or working) with Millennials — sadly, I wish I could say the same when it comes to Boomers.
• I'm not a "hater"; I don't "bully", and I'm generally not "mean".
• I'm respectful.
• I have opinions (and if I'm honest, more opinions than I have earned the right to have)
• I believe "candor" is important.

I think it's important to call out the last point because it's crucial to understand what candor is not. 

Candor is not "bullying", or being "judgy", or being a "hater", or any other word you decide to use when you don't like what is being said (or you disagree). If I candidly offer you constructive input and you say I'm being "judgy" or a "hater", et cetera, et cetera — well that's on you; not me.

I will always offer a safe and respectful place, and will not judge (or hate, or bully) — even when you don't like what I have to say.

That doesn't happen so much in the "real world" because as we all know, it's a "judgy" place.

Dedicated to L, R and A.

iamgpe

MOMENTS — a lesson for someone who always has a fucking opinion

Recently I had the opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary of my grammar school — Sir Wilfrid Laurier Public School. It wasn't a reunion per se but more of an invitation to come visit the school, celebrate its 50 years in the community, and spend three hours getting lost in the memories of my childhood.

I visited my grade one classroom, saw the office where I got the strap (for throwing snowballs up in the air and letting them land on my head no less), and looked out over a lonely baseball diamond where we played ball at lunch — all against the backdrop of how students are being taught today compared to the fuzzy memories of my past.

In my old grade six classroom I saw something on the wall worth a second (and even a third) look —  it was a piece of chart paper that offered insight on OPINION (written with the steady hand of a teacher, and looked surprisingly like it could have been written fifty years ago).

In a world of so called fake news, opinion that masquerades as news, a constant stream of information that's impossible to sift through, and bullshit jamming up the internet, I was encouraged to see (up on the board in big letters and bright colours) that opinion is more than something that's simply said (usually many times and very loudly) until sadly, it becomes believable fact.

As someone who is quick with an opinion, this piece of chart paper offered insight on OPINION that was a clear reminder (and lesson) for what makes up a good opinion — and anything less (in my opinion) is just adding to the bullshit that is jamming up the internet. 

It is true when they say you are never too old to learn (or relearn) something — and it's definitely more fun when you are learning it with the memories of a 10 year old boy.

iamgpe