These men told me about opportunities they had walked away from, not because they presented poor opportunities, but because they feared taking on too much. Again, many of these entrepreneurs started businesses and failed. But they considered the "failures" learning experiences that hardened and wizened them for future opportunities. All regretted, however, that they failed to stick their necks out even more. "Larry, don't be afraid to fail," they all told me with more or less those same words.
Though I obtained my law degree, I expected my career path to lead elsewhere. I practiced law for about two-and-a-half years and then started a small business that I ran, with reasonable success, for 15 years. I then turned my energies to political and social commentary, and moved into television and radio. I always wanted to write, and managed, in books and columns, to pull it off.
I just turned 55 years old. I consider my life blessed. My mom recently died, but lived to a robust, hearty 81 years. My dad, at 91 years old, still lives in the house where I grew up. We talk every day. I'm lucky that I get to see him frequently, and he remains in excellent health. He takes pride in being "independent and self-supporting." That's his way of declining my numerous offers to come and live with me. He still makes me laugh.
I feel that I perform meaningful work, and I embrace my faith and cherish my family and friends.
But . . . I wish I had taken more risk.