Selected Life Lesson
Always learn from your mistakes.
-Jamilah W’s Life Lesson from the Olathe, Kansas

Richard’s Thoughts…
Today is my half-birthday! There are now only 530 days until I reach 30. Last weekend was my 10-year high school reunion and I hated not being able to be there with my old classmates. But as I celebrate 28 1/2, this lesson is a great reminder of something I take to heart: I am never to stop learning.

So much has happened in the ten years since I graduated from high school (and subsequently ran for office). But what never ends is my learning. I’ve made countless mistakes and it would take years of FOCUS emails to list them all, but I am happy to say I am always trying to learn from them. The great tragedy and blessing of life is that while we don’t get to undo anything we did, we can and must learn from each life experience.

So, as I begin the last half of 28, join me on this journey of reflection and learning. You’ll be amazed how much better of a person, friend, partner you can become if you just sit, and listen. Oh, and forward this to a friend because we can all learn from each other. I know I have.