What I've come to understand is that no joy lasts forever.

No pain lasts forever either.

This realization hit me profoundly as I watched Andrew walk across the stage to receive his diploma from my alma mater. It was a moment of pure joy, pride swelling in my chest, yet I knew that was a fleeting moment.

As I stood there, watching the graduating class of 125 young men shake hands with the dean, my mind wandered back to my own graduation day. I remember the excitement, the uncertainty, and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Now, having seen all three of my sons reach this milestone, I felt a deeper connection to the cyclical nature of life.

There were times when raising them felt like an endless marathon of challenges. Late nights worrying about their future, the pain of watching them struggle through their own personal battles, and the constant effort to guide them without pushing too hard. But just as those challenging times came and went, so did moments of unparalleled joy.

This balance between joy and pain reminds me of a deal I worked on last year. It was a fixer-upper project of a duplex that seemed straightforward at first, but quickly turned into a series of setbacks.

Unexpected repairs, delays in permits, and a fluctuating market tested my patience and resolve. Each challenge felt like a new wave of pain and frustration.

But as I navigated these hurdles, I reminded myself of a lesson from GRIT: "I Choose Intensity." Just as I push through tough daily workouts and demanding Spartan Race -- I'll be completing a Trifecta in November if anyone wants to join me -- I applied the same mindset to this project.

In the end, the house sold for a profit, not as much as originally projected, but a profit nonetheless.

The joy of that success was immense, but it didn't erase the pain of the journey—it made it worthwhile.

I realized that the intense moments of struggle were what made the final victory so sweet. It’s a constant ebb and flow, teaching us to appreciate the highs and endure the lows.

Watching my sons step into the next chapter of their lives, I’m reminded that life is a series of temporary states. The intense pride I feel today will evolve, just as the struggles of yesterday did.

It's a constant ebb and flow, teaching us to appreciate the highs and endure the lows. This moment, witnessing my son graduate, will always be a cherished memory. It’s a reminder that joy and pain are both integral parts of our journey, shaping us, teaching us, and ultimately making life richer.

As they move forward, I hope they carry this understanding with them—that no matter what, both joy and pain are transient, and each experience brings its own valuable lessons.

Invaluable Tools of the Trade

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