A Hard Lesson About Priorities

This past weekend, I lost one of my best friends. He wasn’t even 50.

I’m not sharing this to shock you, or to turn it into some pitch. I’m sharing it because it shook me.

Back in May, I started a conversation with him about his health. And then I didn’t follow up. Life got busy, weeks slipped by, and when I saw him later… he didn’t look well. Overweight, tired. Maybe there was nothing I could’ve done. Maybe he was already in a bad place. But as a friend, I can’t help but think I could have been there more.

It’s funny: when we reach out and don’t hear back, it often means someone isn’t doing great. And yet we hesitate, we assume, we wait. I wish I hadn’t. Now it’s too late.

The truth is, I’m sustained by my relationships. By planning. By the choices I’ve made that keep me on track. When someone reaches out to me, I try to answer quickly—not because I’m perfect, but because I know I need those connections to stay strong.

This weekend was a hard reminder that priorities matter.

Health is a priority.

Connection to your tribe is a priority.

Building structural wealth to protect it all is a priority.

Because without these, life slips through our fingers.

I was journaling this morning. It’s a temptation to fall into darkness and disgust at what has come to pass. Yet I know I must keep shining light. I must keep showing up.

For my family. For my tribe. For anyone who’s ready to listen.

So today I say this: I’m here to help. To guide you toward alignment. To help you build health, connection, and the kind of structure that sustains—not just for you, but for those who love you.

We can’t control how long we have. But we can control what we do with the days we’re given.