The Freedom We Left Behind E271 08/12/2026
Watching those children waiting for the school bus, each one holding a phone with their parents right beside them, I start thinking about how much freedom we had when we were
8 and 9 years old.
Watching those children waiting for the school bus, each one holding a phone with their parents right beside them, I start thinking about how much freedom we had when we were
8 and 9 years old.
People ask me why I collect them, and the truth is, I don’t think I’m collecting radios. I think I’m collecting sort of stories, the story behind the radio.
I had to think about what to write, kind of structuring the whole letter before I sit down because, as you know, there are no backspaces. If you messed up, you crossed it out, or you crumpled up the paper and started all over.
I came across a question that asked the Buddha, “What is the biggest mistake people make in life?” And his answer struck me. It was simple:
“They think they have time.”
Procrastination isn’t a gap, it’s what happens when our intentions don’t align with our actions. Let’s stop beating ourselves. It’s not that we are lazy. It’s not about that. It’s about, I guess, a fear or just waiting for this perfect moment that never actually comes.
I realized that growing older doesn’t reduce my value. It actually reveals it. And in fact, it is not the end of my story. It’s the beginning.
And there was another company that made tapes, their competitor, Memorex. Memorex had a beautiful tagline: “Is it real, or is it Memorex?” And they featured, uh, Ella Fitzgerald. But today, we can’t even say that. Is it real, or is it AI? Who knows. Is it real news or fake news?
There’s a saying that says that people come to your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime.
It is not about judging anyone. It’s not about deciding who is good for you or bad for you, or even playing the snob, because everyone has their place. It’s simply about recognizing what add value to your life and what is not.
Some of the most meaningful discoveries happen when we just don’t know where we are going. And it’s not only getting lost in a foreign city or on the road. It’s also getting lost in some ideas, even music.
Sometimes the best things in life—growth, clarity, healing, and certainly love—don’t arrive on demand. They don’t arrive on our own timetable or schedule; they unfold slowly.