Mike reflects on his past 3 years of relying upon the financial and emotional support of others. He emphasizes the power of gratitude, particularly in the form of handwritten thank-you notes, and reflects on others who had worked for him.

We are almost always our worst enemy. We tend to obsess over our imperfections and shortcomings, and we tend to overhype the accolades of others.

To those growing up in small towns or otherwise overshadowed places, know that even the most glamorous and affluent places in America are filled with people wanting to leave.

Silence is an unnatural state that induces discomfort. But it also reveals the extent to which we are accustomed to a noisy world.