Nelson Mandela

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Excerpt From Nelson Mandela's 1994 Inaugural Speech (attributed to Dag Hammerskjold and Maryann Williamson)

Here's another nice on - about Mandela by Bill Clinton "And we thank you, Mr. President, for being the person we'd all like to be on our best day."

Square One

Changing careers isn't exactly going back to square one. I just spent the last year learning the ropes in Toronto: broking Life and Health Insurance, Investments and Loans, mainly for London Life, the largest provider of retail insurance in Canada.

Before that I spent 10 years underwriting for Swiss Re, the largest Life and Health Reinsurer in the world. So I was not unfamiliar with the products - just the retail business processes and the local Toronto environment.

Now I'm happy to say that I feel like I am grooving along. I have a daily routine that suits my needs. Elvia and I get up at 7, I take Carlos to daycare, go to mass or have coffee (more often coffee), then go back home to do my 30 min gym thing and get dressed. By 9 I've gone about a fair few of my spiritual, fitness and family obligations. I leave for work after 9 to avoid rush hour. I'll get to work at 400 and Steeles by 11 latest. Between 10 and 2, I'll submit yesterday's transactions, answer urgent messages and email, and leave operations instructions with Ornella. I'll see three clients in the 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 time slots, then get home before 9. I miss seeing Carlos come back from school most weekdays, but as the business grows I may start delegating the 6-8 time slot to an employee.

"Your job as a father, your mission in life, is to raise your children to this ideal - to form generosity and character so deeply within them as to direct the course of their lives to greatness. This is what a great father does."
Stenson, Father, the Family Protector, Scepter 2004