At the start of 2024, I remember saying that I wanted to bed processes down and establish better routines. In other words, I didn’t feel the need to push the boat out too much—I wanted to focus on consolidation. It’s funny, then, that when I review the year, I feel sombre because I’m not sure whether I challenged myself enough to risk failure in the process of reaching for the stars. I suppose the mind is always making up stories and criticisms, distracting us from appreciating where we are at this moment. That being said, perhaps it’s time to push the boat out a little this year, set a few lofty goals, and see where they take me.
While reflecting, two comments made by friends of mine last year stand out to me:
“Keep going, enjoy time with your family, and find joy in the family responsibilities. It’s a lifetime thing, so pace yourself!”
Amen. Turning each moment and each responsibility into a joyful gift is a powerful practice. I love my family and truly enjoy almost every moment spent with my 2 year old son. One recent experience that gave me immense joy: Zakeeya and I often say grace before dinner, but not as often as we should. The other day we didn’t say grace, Rumi reached out his arms towards us and said “grace”. Priceless!
“I hope you will keep yourself alert to what is going on. Do not let yourself go numb—life goes very fast. Just try to stay connected to the present.”
Trying not to let oneself “go numb” is indeed a noble goal. Life is so beautiful, yet it can get messy and complicated with stress from all sides. It’s easy to close off emotionally to protect oneself, but I must fight against that urge, staying present and open while maintaining emotional awareness of all that surrounds us.
In that vein, remaining open is a key focus for me this year. I want to share my challenges more honestly with friends and family. I also want to keep the door open for others in my community to do the same. People are going through so much, and we need to support one another.
Meditation: The Privilege of Quiet & Rest
One significant success is that I’ve maintained my meditation and writing practices. Always less frequently than I would like but its no small feat to continue, as I know how hard it can be to pick up the pieces after falling off the wagon. I’m especially grateful for the 5-night silent meditation retreat I attended over New Year’s. There were no remarkable insights—just the privilege of being quiet, watching the ridiculous thoughts in my mind and deep rest. It’s left me feeling a little more equipped for daily practice, which remains both seemingly trivial and profoundly impactful.
Writing: From Routine to Revelation
I want to place a stronger focus on writing this year. Recently, I’ve noticed that the quality of my monthly articles isn’t as high as I’d like. I feel like I have been going through the motions rather than engaging deeply with key questions, challenges, and developments. Reading and writing are the pathways through which I’ve achieved insights in the past so I need to up my game here. I’ve already sensed improvement in the last week and must prioritize daily writing to cultivate better thought leadership. This is important for both my personal growth and professional life.
Sound Money: Best Seller
Business continues to tick along—always slower than I’d like—but there’s much to appreciate about how far we’ve come in three years. However, I sometimes feel that daily market monitoring and fund management responsibilities distance me slightly from our broader mission: to live in a world of sound money.
It’s a helpful reminder to refocus on our north star. In that regard, I plan to write a book this year. Many friends have encouraged me to do so, and I need to find a few hours each week to polish my old articles and create a coherent thread for what could be my first bestseller.
Finding Strength in My Roots
For a long time, I’ve worried about struggling to break into the U.S. market meaningfully. Most of my clients originate through my South African network and I can feel a little fraudulent and unsuccessful that I have been here for 3 years without cracking this nut. While spending two months in South Africa at the end of 2024, I realized I need to lean into this reality. This year, I plan to focus on connecting with South Africans in the U.S. I look forward sharing insights on the differences between the two countries to build deeper connections and simultaneously share more openly about my experience. Wish me well on business success in response.
Travel: Campfires, Cacti, and High-Altitude Lakes
Like most years, travel was a highlight in 2024. Zakeeya and I decided to go camping to explore Southern California and spend more time outdoors. Rumi loves being outside! We camped five times in 2024, and I’m proud of that achievement.
Some highlights:
- Point Mugu in Malibu with lots of friends
- Anza-Borrego, with its amazing flowering cacti
- Sequoia National Park, where we stayed at a beautiful campsite surrounded by giant sequoias and a little stream
- Seeing vast expanses of the Grand Canyon with my parents was a once in a lifetime experience – it is so impressive it is almost difficult to properly comprehend it. I would like to go back and hike through the canyons.
- We visited the Joshua Trees on the way home. The sudden appearance of these thick groves of strange tree/cacti type plants is an other worldly experience. It feels like you have arrived on an alien planet. I also loved all with the wild flowers sprouting up on the side of the desert roads
- Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, with its incredible forests and mountains. Swimming in a high-elevation lake in the Rockies and basking in the dry sunlight afterward was one of the most memorable moments of the year!
We haven’t finalized our travel list for 2025 yet, but Portland, Yellowstone, and New Orleans are on the radar. I’d also love to swim in some unusual places this year.
Sharing the Road Ahead
As always, I welcome your feedback. Let me know where you are in the world and what you’re experiencing. I always learn more about myself and the world through others’ experiences, and I hope this reflection provides something meaningful for you in return. Thank you for helping me avoid the trap of going numb and staying connected instead.
Sound Money 