From the Publisher

Ten weeks ago, I had triple-bypass heart surgery. At 41 years old. It’s funny how something like that can completely change your perspective. And, in my case, create tremendous pressure to impact the world in some extraordinary way.

While recovering at home, I began creating a list of possible projects and imagining what sort of cause I would champion. Maybe I’d do something profound like start a charitable organization, travel to some far-off land to build a school or even help save some exotic creature from extinction. No doubt, it was going to be something bold and unique that would make a real difference and allow me to leave this world a better place than when I entered it.

I took to this task very seriously—after all, I was planning to change the world. But every time I began making real progress, I was interrupted. First it was, “Dad, can you help me with my homework?” Next came, “Daddy, can you pop me some microwave popcorn?” And then, “It’s time to take me to soccer practice.” Taking care of the kids wasn’t allowing me to focus on my beloved list.

After a while, it dawned on me that I might be missing the point. I looked at my three beautiful children and realized that, by raising them, my wife and I are already making a major impact in this world. Actually, I think we all are. The problem is that we often don’t realize the effect we’re having because it’s hidden behind our seemingly mundane, daily lives.

You see, to me (and I’m sure to many of you), positively influencing the lives of children—whether your own kids, your grandchildren, those of friends or others—is one of the greatest gifts we can give. The reason is simple: Unless we make the appropriate and deserving investment in our children, all of humanity’s other problems will remain. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis may have captured it best when she said, “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”

If you’re not already doing so, I encourage you to spend some quality time with a kid or with a whole group of them. You could read a book, go for a bike ride, take a walk in the woods, play golf or just sit down to dinner with them. It doesn’t matter what you do, just that you care enough to share of yourself and your time. And if you’re already involved in a child’s life, pay special attention to the time you spend with them. You’ll be amazed at the new perspective this brings to your life.

I’m certainly not done with my list of earthshaking projects. One day I’ll finish it and may pursue more adventurous tasks designed to impact the world in other ways. Even if I am successful with those efforts, none will ever be more noble than what I’m doing right now—or was doing even 11 weeks ago.

So for now, I’m going to put my list to the side and spend some time playing with my kids.