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What do you do for a living?

I’m a small business owner. I start and run small businesses.

What do you do to feel alive?

Spend time with my son – in nature  or at the beach – and really be present with him.

A lesson you learned from your mother:

Empathy for others and a sense of civic responsibility. My mother gives her time to others. She is a volunteer at a soup kitchen and sometimes she takes my son with her.

A lesson you learned from your father:

Hard work. That’s something I’m trying to “un-learn” right now. There’s a beautiful side to it – such as responsibility and commitment, but I think sometimes we can overdo it at the expense of our health and well being and for those of us around us who need us to be balanced.

What’s the most beautiful thing you saw today?

You

What’s one thing you wouldn’t want anyone to take away from you?

My son and my freedom.

What’s a thought you would like to never have again?

I’ve been thinking a little too much lately about mortality and death – it’s bringing me down. I used to be comfortable with that, but not lately for some reason. I think more specifically the thought that leads from that is “what’s the point?” – I’d like not to think about that.

If you could become an inanimate object what would it be?

A sailboat

When do you feel most loved?

When I’m the most loving – when I’m the most considerate. It typically comes from my son. Children give you instant confirmation. They’re our teachers. It sounds a little silly because they’re children, but they have an awareness of what you do – they have a connectedness. Also, when I’m most loving with myself is when I’m most loved back.

If your life were to end tomorrow what would be left undone?

I still think there’s a personal fear that’s keeping me from realizing my true potential. I just feel that I haven’t found or connected with the most honest and true expression of myself. I feel like I’m not fully realized yet as a person.

What global issue would you take on if you didn’t have to worry about how?

War/conflict resolution. I feel like I would learn the most about myself in the process. I used to be really involved in agriculture and food justice. I don’t know if I would be as passionate about that. We need peace keeping that doesn’t rely on free standing armies anymore.

What’s the scariest thing that ever happened to you?

The first thing that came to mind is when my ex – the mom of my child – almost died of a brain aneurysm. It was very shocking because we were estranged from each other at the time. I think I was really terrified that my son might not have a mom.