Breaching the Peace

Betcha did not know that we are fast approaching the third anniversary of the publication of an underappreciated American classic?   

Do not be too hard on yourself.   If you actually purchased a copy, then believe me when I tell you that you are a member of a very exclusive club.  Very exclusive indeed.  

At the risk of giving away the ending, there are thirteen Pop Pop Rules.  In my humble opinion, Rule Number Thirteen is the most important one:  The most important thing you can attain is Peace. 

There is nothing at all wrong with being happy.  

Happiness however is not the "end all and be all".

It is nothing more than a component part of a far bigger,

more important thing, which is peace.  

Understand that by peace I do not mean global harmony.

Rather, when I speak of peace I speak of it being within 

the four walls of your home and, even more critically,

being inside the space between your two ears. 

Peace is what energizes you.  It is what renews you. 

It is what gives you what you need to get up every day

and go out in the world to do what you do to fulfill yourself

and to provide for yourself and your family.

Regardless of where you live, with whom you live, 

and what it is you to do earn your living, your goal - 

your pursuit - should always be on attaining peace in your life.

Once attained, you must do all you need to do to cultivate it,

to preserve it, and to ensure that it forever remains a part of 

your day-to-day.  As a very wise - albeit fictional - man named

Coach Eric Taylor used to drill into his young football players,

"Clear eyes.  Full heart.  Can't lose." 

It is peace that permits you to have eyes that are clear

and a heart that is full.  Go after it, get it,

and then do all you can to hold onto it.

On Saturday, Margaret and I bade our official farewell to our little piece of Paradise by the Sea.  In doing what we did, we honored what I have always understood to be one of the golden rules of real estate.  We bought low and we sold high.  

317 New Bedford Road

Lake Como, New Jersey

Time shall tell the tale whether we have violated Rule Number Thirteen.    

It always does. 

-AK