“Don’t forget who you are and where you come from.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Do not let where you come from define you, but never forget the values you learned from your close community.” – Anthony Carmona

Dear Shawn – Growing up you has a lot of positive role models to help you develop a balanced view of success. Your grandfathers were a great example of this. 

      On one side “Chaim” lost his parents and most of his siblings during the holocaust living on the run with his brother across the forests of Poland. In spite of this, he persevered and built a life as a tailor with your grandmother “Chana”.  To Chaim, family came first no matter what and money was only a means to bring family closer together. Joy was family getting together; eating, drinking, laughing and enjoying each others company. 

     On the other side “Joe” grew up in the coldest of places Irkutsk, Siberia, immigrating to Canada with only his family and the clothes on his back during the Great Depression. As if that wasn’t enough he also fractured his skull after getting hit and dragged by a car in his early years. Nonetheless, he persevered and made a life as a garment cutter with your grandmother “Pearl” . To Joe, life was all about seeing the humor in everything, and marveling in the beauty of nature; from the oceans to the lands and every living that inhabits them. He also took tremendous pleasure in spending time with his family even in the simplest of places like a park or a boat on the lake. 

      Your own perspectives and beliefs are largely shaped by those who raised you. Their experiences and teachings were instrumental in forming your basic values keeping you grounded and setting the foundation for how you treat others. In this letter let me remind you of the key learnings your grandfathers would want you to keep top of mind. 

1. Don’t every take your family for granted – They have your back unconditionally
2. As a leader be hard on the issues, but soft on the people – Lead and manage with authority but always treat people as you would want to be treated. 
3. Never value money as a goal, value it for what it can do for you  and your family – Don’t chase a bank balance, chase security and fulfillment for those close to you
4. Encourage your children always and feed their curiosity – Expose them to as many different experiences as you can
5. Try new things at any age even if they scare you – Keep your body young so it can you support you along the way
6. Use your voice and defend your beliefs – Respectfully always
7. Learn from your parents as long as they are alive – You will miss their advice when they are gone
8. Make time to learn and understand where your ancestors came from and who they were – Recognize what they endured and that without them you would not exist
9. Appreciate the small moments like a good meal with close friends and family – and appreciate how precious it’s all is and how it can all disappear in a moment
10. Find a moment to sincerely be happy to be alive every single day – like the sun coming out after a rainy day or the feeling of  the hot tub after a day of skiing

These learnings were cemented in your early years and will continue to serve you well through the rest of your life!