This is the foundation. My spiritual relationship with God is like having a GPS that never loses its signal, even when I’m driving off a metaphorical cliff.

In a world where everyone is shouting opinions, having that inner peace is my secret weapon. It’s hilarious because I’ll be stressing over a project or a toddler’s tantrum, and that “still, small voice” is basically like, “Take a breath, I’ve got this. Also, you’re being dramatic.” It’s the ultimate reality check. It gives me the strength to handle the “episodes” of life without losing my cool.

2. The Home Team: My Family

Family is a beautiful, loud, and sometimes confusing masterpiece. They are the only people who know exactly how to annoy me and exactly how to make me the happiest person on earth—usually within the same five-minute window.

Being a parent and a partner is my greatest role. They are my “recharge station.” When I’m with them, I’m not the “Director” or the “SEN Specialist”—I’m just the guy who makes the jokes and gives the hugs. They keep me grounded, and seeing their growth is the best “ROI” I’ve ever seen.

3. The Growth Crew: The “No-Nonsense” Friends

Then there are the good friends. I’m talking about the ones who don’t just “like” your photos, but actually contribute to your growth.

A real friend is someone who can look at you and say, “That idea is terrible, let’s try this instead.” We all need those people who challenge us to be better, smarter, and kinder. They are the ones I can vent to about work, brainstorm new ideas with, and laugh until my stomach hurts. They are the iron that sharpens iron (even if we spend most of our time sharpening our jokes).

The Verdict

Life is hard, but it’s a lot easier when you have a divine connection, a loving home, and a few friends who wouldn’t let you walk out of the house with a bad haircut. These are the relationships that have a positive impact on me every single day.

Without them, I’d just be a guy with a lot of books and no one to read them to!