A Story of Discovery: Finding What Really Matters

When I was young, like many of you today, I thought the measure of a life well lived was found in achievements. I threw myself into my work with passion, believing that building successful businesses, doing good for others, and making a difference in the world was my purpose. I wanted to leave a mark, make a legacy that would matter. But in my relentless drive for more, I missed something crucial—something that I now, at 70 years old, understand more clearly than ever.

I thought love was something that could wait. I believed that those closest to me—my family, my children—would always be there, understanding that I was working for their future. I didn’t realize that no amount of success could replace the moments I missed, the time I didn’t invest in those who mattered most. But what I regret most is not realizing sooner the deeper love that had been there for me all along.

You see, I wasn’t just missing time with my family. I was missing the one thing that makes life truly meaningful: the love of God.

Looking back at my accomplishments, whether it was Starbucks, Horizon Organic, Paramount, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Pet Promise Pet Food, Code Blue Recycling, Wild Oats, or Walmart—I see now that every success was a gift from God, not something I achieved on my own. I was asleep at the wheel of my life, unaware that everything was being handed to me by His grace. I thought I was building something, but really, God was working through me.

Awakening to Love: A Series of Epiphanies

It wasn’t until recently that I truly woke up to this realization. My wife, Kathleen, has been instrumental in this. Her faith, her steadfast belief in God, and her love for me have been like a beacon, guiding me back to the truth I had been missing for so long. Through her, I finally heard what the Heavenly Father had been trying to tell me: “Wake up.”

A few weeks ago, we had a Pre-Harvest party at our house. Old friends and new, bright and smiling, gathered around us, filling the space with love and laughter. It was a beautiful reminder of the blessings I had overlooked for so long—how love, friendship, and faith are what matter most in life.

Then came a white-knuckle fishing trip with my two grandchildren and incredible son-in-law. As I sat there, feeling the boat going over swell after swell and holding on for dear life, I realized how much I had missed in their and my daughters lives, I had been too busy, too distracted. I missed the joy, the laughter, the moments that truly matter. But hanging on to the boat rail and watching their smiles as we were trying to land a big fish I  realized that it’s never too late to change, to be present, and to love.

And finally, the moment that perhaps moved me the most: reuniting with my brother Paul from Australia after years of a strained relationship. Hugging him, I felt rivers of emotion surge through me—grief for the lost time, joy for the reconnection, and above all, love. I had been asleep to the importance of these relationships, but I was finally awake.

This Isn’t a Eulogy—It’s an Epiphany

I have so many people to thank—so many who have loved me despite my failures, my distractions, my relentless drive. But this isn’t a eulogy. I’m not looking back with sorrow; I’m looking forward with hope. What I’ve experienced over the last few weeks is an epiphany, one I feel called to share with anyone who will listen: Stop the struggle. Stop the anxiety. Just love.

No matter where you are in life, no matter what you’re doing, it’s never too late to wake up. You don’t need to wait until you’re 70 to realize this truth. Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or simply trying to figure out your next steps—there is only one thing that will make it all work: love.

And I’m not talking about love in a superficial sense. I’m talking about the love of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It’s the kind of love that fills you, grounds you, and gives you a purpose that no achievement can ever match. It’s the love that sustains you through every high and low, every success and failure.

If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: Don’t get so caught up in chasing goals that you forget the people you love. Don’t wait until it’s too late to see the gift that has been with you all along—the gift of God’s love.

There’s a passage in Scripture that says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.” I spent so much of my life seeking everything but the Kingdom. I thought I was building something that would last. But what truly lasts, what truly matters, is love. The love between God the Father, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And the love you share with the people around you.

I hope that by sharing my story, someone out there—whether they are just starting out in life or already deep into their journey—will stop, reflect, and realize that love is the only thing that makes it all worthwhile. Love is what we were made for. And love is what will carry us through.

So if you’re reading this, take a moment to pause. Take a deep breath. Look around you. The people in your life, the love you’ve been given—that’s where the real meaning is. Everything else can wait.

—Anthony