Dear (your name)

What might you think if you got the following note from your wife and kids?

Dear (your name here):

Maybe sometimes you think we need or want a nice car, or a better income, and maybe even some fancier gifts at those times when gifts are thought necessary.  Sometimes perhaps you feel we need a bigger and better house, or a really "wow" vacations.  And might you feel sometimes that bigger may be better, and that more "toys" will somehow be more satisfying?

(your name here), here's what really matters to us.  Most importantly, we want you to keep on working hard at being the spiritual leader of this family. We don't really need all the nice things life has to offer if it means you are going to have to work more to see that we have them.  We just want your time and your heart.  Those are way more important things in life than things and stuff.  You have no idea how much we love your smile, your honesty, your openness, and your effort.  If we are your priority, that is all that matters.  We are forever.  Things and stuff might not be.

We love you just as you are.  And we are happy with you just as you are.  You don't have to prove anything to us as long as you just continue to love us.

Perhaps some might want to type this up for themselves and keep it at work to look over once in a while.  After all, we do seem to get a bit wrapped up in the perceived need for constant bigness and betterness at times don't we.  It is easy to forget that more often than not, simplicity is happier.

How might you respond to that note?