My dearest Shosh and Jaialai:
I miss you! I drank a Yakult today, and had to stop because it reminded me too much of you. You used to love that stuff. I wonder if you still drink it sometimes.
Boys, let’s talk a little today about how to interact with the world. Much of the time, I urge you to be YOUR best, to think critically, to work hard, to be kind to others, etc. But, I’m talking about you! I’m not talking about other people. As your dad, I have a responsibility to help and guide you to become a productive, successful, and contributing member of society. That’s my job.
You, on the other hand, have control only over yourself. You don’t have control over others. Thus, other than your brother and your family, don’t worry about other people in the sense of helping them become better versions of themselves — unless that is your job, of course. Let them be. Worry about improving yourself.
Thus, be critical about your conduct, your achievements, your goals, etc. However, don’t be critical about the conducts, achievements, goals, etc., of others. That’s their business. That’s on them.
If you stick your nose in their affairs, I promise you that the reaction will be harsh. People won’t like it. Focus on making you better.
Now, because I am a critical thinker, people have sometimes accused me of wanting to be right. That is often more an expression of their insecurities than anything else. But, be mindful of it. It may be an academic exercise or a cerebral game for you, but others may not see it the same way. They may vest too much of themselves in a position to be willing to explore its weaknesses. Let them be. That’s on them, not you. Note the weakness for yourself and store that knowledge in your mind’s encyclopedia. Use it to prune your knowledge tree. If they choose to let a branch of their knowledge tree rot, that’s their problem. Don’t make it yours.
In other words, hone your social skills. Some people will like the intellectual exercise and enjoying the mental duels with you. Others won’t. It doesn’t matter if they won’t because they have failed to fashion and sharpen their intellectual tools, they are mentally fatigued, or what have you. Respect their space and their choices. That’s ultimately what freedom and America is all about.
All my love, always,
Dad
P.S., and don’t worry if, by your silence, they think you a fool. You know you’re not. Who cares what they think. Anyway, sometimes it is better to be thought a fool than to prove them right.
shoshandjaialai 