View from the Summit

It’s very simple, but it's my routine. Starting my day early is without question one of the keys to my success. I hear guys all the time talking about sleeping in. I guess that is a good thing once in a while, but for me a really late morning would be 6:00 AM.

As a rule, I’m up between 4:30 AM and 5:00 AM. I prepare the coffee maker the night before and a simple touch of the switch the following morning and presto, black magic. The finest drink on the planet, no cream and no sweetener, just pure dark rich black coffee.

Starting out with a full glass of water, a fresh banana and 5 minutes in my high back leather chair sets the mood. Now, I’m ready for the day….

Many years ago I would work tirelessly around the house helping Robin with various tasks and I was relentless with to-do list. Quite honestly, all for the wrong reason. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to help but I wanted to be noticed more.

When all my efforts went unnoticed or unappreciated, I sulked. I wanted those words of affirmation or recognition that I felt was due and payable. I wanted to be viewed as a great husband by Robin and I wanted to feel as though my dues were being paid. 

Several years ago Robin and I went on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise. After a week of pure luxury & relaxation, we elected to speed an additional week in the beautiful South Beach area of Miami.

The hotel was beautiful, the food was superb and the company, my wife, was the best. And then, oh man….. and then, the trouble started.

As we walked down the busy shopping district, adjacent to the gorgeous coastal waters, my day was shot immediately. In a nanosecond, in the blink of an eye, my day was shot.

Late in the day on a beautiful October afternoon, my brother Mike Walker called and ask if I would accompany him to inspect a real estate investment. The property was very close to Nashville, Tennessee in a small, quaint little city called Old Hickory, the home of Andrew Jackson.

Only two miles from the Hermitage was this cool three bedroom house that would not last long. I agreed to meet Mike at 5:00 PM.

Arriving 15 minutes early, and noticing an elderly gentleman standing in his front yard across the street, I decided to do a little investigative work on the neighborhood.

What an accommodating gentleman he was. He proceeded to invite me in to inspect his house, because he also was contemplating selling.