"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but no matter -- to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning --- “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

-- F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby When is enough enough? What do we focus on and why? Will achieving what we focus on really bring us the joy we want in our lives? Will the process of achieving it be worth the outcome? For those of us who want to make a difference in this world, and in the process want our fair share of it, we are constantly struggling with these questions -- or at least we should be if we are being honest with ourselves. Similar to Gatsby, I grew up believing in that very same green light; I shared his aspiration. The wealth, the admiration, the importance. My dad used to tell me, as he showed me his beaten, dirty hands, "I just don't want you to work this hard." And, in the process of working my butt off at school and at work, there were too many times I compromised other things I also wanted, the acceptance and the centered nature. Over time, I introduced joy as an equally important part of my focus. To find balance in my life is a daily struggle. The choice to sit and be contemplative, to pray, to meditate, or to pick up the phone and sell. One thing that has certainly helped is realizing that "selling" can also be connecting with someone at the same time and contribute to my personal joy. So much of Never Eat Alone is intended to point that out. But, I still need time for contemplation. Another choice I like to make is to patiently spend the time with an employee, just guiding them through the task I've given them so they grow while achieving the results I expect of them. But, all too often I choose not to sit patiently, but instead to act impatiently while fixating on the ever-limited time I have in this world and all the things I MUST (or think I must) do. Gatsby, that tortured and tragic character of F. Scott Fitzgerald, had a very narrow focus in life. His Greenlight was money and power for the acceptance of others. His greenlight was the love of a woman he never deeply knew but conspired his entire life to win. His tragic end and the lessons of this wonderful book are a daily reminder to ask what is enough and why am I even focusing on anything in particular. Your focus is your focus. NO ONE else can tell you what balance is in your life! That is between you and your deepest discussions with yourself however you have them: prayer, meditation... But, be true to yourself and ask if you are having those discussions with yourself enough and willing to act on what you hear. Yes, I want wealth and recognition, but I need to stay focused on making a difference on this earth. Yes, I want you to like me, but I need to stay focused on helping you to be more joyful and hopeful because of our knowing each other. This is certainly a journey and I'm so blessed to be taking it with all of you. The more transparent I can be with those around me, the deeper I can grow with all your help.

By the way, if you have not yet read The Great Gatsby or not read it in a while, here you go:

Click here to buy the book.

Click here to view the entire work online for free.



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