I am sure that the arrival of Rumi George Price in January 2023 will mark a profound shift in life. Parenthood is wild, opening you up to the uncertainty and joy of each day. It is strangely difficult to put into words, but here are two ways I describe fatherhood:
Before having a child, I never thought of myself as a lucky person. It’s not that I felt unlucky, but I wouldn’t have used the phrase ‘lucky’. Being bestowed with the miracle of a new life, watching creation unfold in front of my eyes, I now feel that the sun is shining on me, and the wind is in my sails. This year, inspired by these feelings, I wrote a poem called “Lucky Father.”
Having a child has also changed my understanding of the English language. Words like ‘gift’ and ‘blessing’, which seemed a little cliché before, now resonate with meaning. I feel blessed by the awesome gift of my first child.
Parenting, like life, is filled with dualities and contrasts, however.
New Meditations whilst Craving Old
As any parent would know, time is constrained and sleep is scarce. It used to be easy to meditate and write, and I realized immense benefits from these practices. Easy no longer!
Gratefully, I have turned many daily activities into meditations, like bathing, cleaning, changing, etc. I am often reminded of David Whyte’s poem about (paraphrasing) ‘the power of keeping a home, cleaning and cooking, finding rest in any environment’. Nevertheless, my mind undoubtedly craves a dedicated space for reading, writing, and meditation to reduce inevitable daily contraction. I am emboldened to adjust and improve my routine next year.
Contrasting Impact on Relationships
The relationship between parents presents another contrast. In one sense, I have never felt more connected with my wife. Teamwork is essential when parenting. Even the most dedicated, loving, and understanding parent needs a break after an hour with a screaming baby. I deeply appreciate my wife, the dedication she shows to our son and our partnership in raising him together.
Parenting takes its toll on parents though.
I spend more time than ever with my wife, but yet we communicate with each other far less. I am reminded of another David Whyte quote: he talks about a marriage being in a troubling place when it becomes “a logistical army of two”, and I can see how one gets there. We have to work hard to carve out time to communicate, understand, appreciate, and enjoy each other; otherwise, we become like two ships passing each other in the night. Throw in some sleep deprivation and you have a cocktail for a disagreement.
I know I am not saying anything that every parent does not know. But I hope that writing, communicating, and opening myself up to reality will allow me to be better for my wife and our relationship. Our partnership is critical and an immense source of joy. The year’s highlights are almost inevitably always with my wife. Dancing at two jazz clubs in Johannesburg in 2023 comes to mind.
Green Shoots at Sound Money Capital
Sound Money Capital survived its first crypto bear market of 2022 and thrived through 2023, producing outsized returns for clients and beating many fund peers. Growing the client base has been more challenging than expected, but we continue to move in the right direction. New business interest is picking up as price increases grab attention and prospects view our commitment and value-add. We continue to receive wonderful support from our existing clients, and those relationships are flourishing. Breaking into the US market has not been easy, but I appreciate that it can take time to build the trust required with a money manager. In this regard, I am particularly glad about my growing relationship with the CFA LA community and proud of published articles in the CFA Institute’s digital magazine.
The Power of Incremental Progress
Two of my biggest lessons this year are flexibility with time and the power of incremental progress. If you set out a goal and just keep chipping incrementally towards it, the progress can be surprising. I try not to waste the odd 10-20 minutes here or there, and in the words of Finding Nemo’s Dory, “just keep swimming”. For example, through trial and error I steadily improved my effectiveness with ChatGPT after reading the raving reviews of its impact on others. I starting with merely editing articles and now I find value in its ability to code. I managed to automate several important spreadsheets. It is interesting to note the relationship developing with this tool. Its ability to respond means that it feels like more than a tool. that I am keen to scale up this relationship and value add in 2024.
Reduced Self Doubt and Better Stress Management
In spite of any challenges, I have a strong sense I am less stressed under pressure and more at ease with the general uncertainty of life. For example, I have handled market stress far better and am suffering from less self-doubt. In a sense, the madness of parenting has contributed towards this realization. Parenting is challenging because you have no idea what will happen next, and you are bound to make mistakes left, right, and center because there is no perfect answer. The reality is that no matter the challenge, there is no alternative but to just get on with it. Plus, smiling, laughing, and dancing help, so ‘just get out there and enjoy it as much as possible!’ Parenthood generates all sorts of metaphors for life like this.
Simultaneously Connected and Insular
People often ask whether fatherhood has changed my worldview…I don’t think I have anything very big picture to report. I feel far more connected to each person I interact with because I just feel a much stronger connection to humanity and the ongoing creation of life. However, I have simultaneously become insular. Time constraints lead me to prioritize, and I seemingly have less time for philosophical, economic, or political discussions. I just want to keep the wheels on the bus turning. Work, finances, family, sleep, cooking, cleaning, and exercise are about all I have time for. I am sure my priorities will shift with time, and I may question the ‘type of world I want my son to grow up in’, which is a common question among parents, but that’s not where I am today.
Priceless Family Support
Travel is inevitably one of the biggest annual highlights. 2023 was no different. Two months in South Africa with family after Rumi was born was special. Family support is desirable in ordinary times and necessary with a small child. We relish the opportunity to put our son into loving family hands and were super lucky to have Zakeeya’s parents with us twice this year. It will not be too long until we return for another extended trip to South Africa, not merely for the support! I love the place, and its people. I am coming to terms with the realization that I might never love a place like I love South Africa, which makes me enjoy each place for what it is and feel more settled in LA. I feel like we also really benefited from the long trip. It left me feeling fulfilled, rested, and excited to return to LA, which is a great place to be. Travelling somewhere for a short time is quite jarring, particularly across time zones.
Travel Teaches Appreciation & Openness
We spent six weeks in New York this year – can I call myself a New Yorker now?
There is no family support there, so it was far more energy-intensive as we juggled work, childcare, and adventure. It was a wonderful experience, though. Leaf peeping (watching autumn leaves) in Central Park with the ambiance of jazz buskers was one of the highlights of the year. We loved the different neighborhoods and connected with some awesome people. We made one particularly strong connection after randomly meeting a fellow South African on a Brooklyn street. We visited his home in Upstate New York, met his friends and family, and shared a wonderful Rugby World Cup Final weekend. It just goes to show the deep bond that can be cultivated in a short time. It is rare, but possible, and so important to remain open to this possibility. I often think to myself that the more random the initial connection, the more joyous the relationship because it is filled with surprise and possibility.
Returning to LA made me particularly conscious of the noise in NYC. Sirens, hooters, shouting, you name it, NYC has it, at all times of the day. I used to think it was pretty noisy in LA, but no longer. I shed a tear when I woke up in my own bed in the quiet of Santa Monica.
Prioritise Mental and Physical Health
Words will never quite describe the reality with the justice it deserves, but if I don’t try, I will only be that much further away. 2023 was a joyous year, and I am super grateful to find a gap to put together these reflections, even if they are not as clear as I would like. I have a bunch of goals for 2024, but I still think the most important ones are the need to generate financial and business stability while meditating, writing, listening, spending time outdoors, and working on the wonderful relationships that already exist in my life. Less is more. Quality over quantity. Mental and physical health are of utmost importance, particularly in the crazy world that we find ourselves. I hope you are taking care of yourselves out there and if there is anything I can do to be of assistance, you let me know.
Please send your feedback, comments, suggestions and most importantly let me know what is going on in your life. I love you all!
Sound Money 