The Small Things That Shape Us

Yesterday was Christmas, and like every year, it brought a lot of reflection. But it also brought some struggle.

I’ve been so focused on building Code of The West this year—pouring every ounce of energy I have into this mission—that I haven’t been great about keeping up with my family back in Ohio. In fact, I went radio silent for weeks. I knew they were hoping I’d come home for Christmas. That had been the plan earlier in the year, back when I had my full-time job.

But life changed. When I lost that job, I decided to lean fully into Code of The West and freelance work to keep things going. And for the first time in my career, I’ve faced real challenges getting paid by clients this year. I’m not saying that to name names or ask for pity—it’s just the truth. It’s been a hard season.

I didn’t have the money to fly back to Ohio or take a couple of weeks off. And while I can live with that—while I know how to weather storms like this—it still felt embarrassing. It didn’t feel great to tell my family I couldn’t afford to see them this year.

I’ve had moments like this earlier in my career, back when I was just starting out. But now, here I am, almost 40, back at square one in some ways. Not long ago, I was making six figures, living comfortably as a single guy. And now I’m wondering how I’ll pay the bills some months, chasing a dream that doesn’t have guarantees.

And yet, I chose this. I chose to sacrifice, to take this leap, because I believe in Code of The West and what it can become—not just for me, but for others. I believe it’s worth the hard conversations and the sleepless nights, worth rebuilding from the ground up if it means I can help people, inspire them, and hopefully even inspire the nation.

But the hardest part isn’t the financial struggle. It’s not knowing how to explain it to the people I care about. It’s when the sacrifices I’m willing to make for this dream start bleeding into my relationships. That’s where it hurts the most.

The Challenge of Facing Ourselves

That tension—between the life we’re building and the connections we fear losing—is where I think a lot of us struggle. It’s not just about the big sacrifices; it’s about the little choices we make every day.

For me, that’s what Christmas brought to the surface. I didn’t pick up the phone right away because I wasn’t just facing my family—I was facing myself. My own guilt, my own avoidance, my own story about why I didn’t have the time or energy to show up in the ways that matter.

And that’s the real heart of it, isn’t it? The small things we avoid aren’t just tasks or chores. They’re mirrors. They reflect the parts of ourselves we don’t want to deal with—the conversations we’ve been putting off, the truths we’ve been too tired or afraid to confront.

Facing What We Avoid

It’s easy to justify avoiding the small things. We tell ourselves they don’t matter as much as the big picture, that we’re too busy or overwhelmed to deal with them. But the longer we put them off, the more they weigh us down.

Life isn’t built on the big moments. It’s built on the small ones—the phone calls we make, the connections we nurture, the seemingly unremarkable choices that shape who we are over time.

The world doesn’t get better by accident. And neither do we. Real change happens when we face the things we’d rather avoid: the hard conversations, the overdue phone calls, the messy truths about where we are versus where we thought we’d be.

If this year has taught me anything, it’s that the small things matter more than we realize. Making the bed isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about starting the day with intention. Calling my family isn’t just about staying in touch; it’s about showing up for the people who care about me.

When we avoid the small things, we avoid the foundation of who we are. But when we make them a priority, we begin to build something stronger—not just for ourselves, but for the people around us.

A Reminder for the Journey

This journey I’m on—building Code of The West—isn’t just about creating a business. It’s about creating something meaningful, something that helps people remember what matters and reconnect with timeless values like courage, integrity, and responsibility.

I don’t have it all figured out. I’m not perfect, and I’m still learning how to balance the big dreams with the small acts that keep life grounded. But I believe the effort is worth it.

As we head into a new year, I want to remind myself—and anyone else who might need to hear it—that the small things are just as important as the big ones. They’re what hold us together when everything else feels uncertain.

So here’s to making the small things matter. Here’s to showing up, even when it’s hard. Because in the end, that’s what living by the Code is all about.”