Sunday was a beautiful day in Southern California. At 10:00 am, the temperature was just right. The sun shone brightly in a clear blue sky, and the grass at The Oaks of Calabasas was as green and perfectly groomed as can be. A group of young children played soccer, among them my son, and they squealed with delight as they chased the ball up and down the field. We were at a birthday party for the son of some friends of the family, and the feeling of a perfect day hung in the air.

All around us are beautiful homes, meticulously landscaped, with particularly expensive cars parked in their driveways. Mountains ring the neighborhood, and I notice how nicely the houses fit in with the natural beauty of the surrounding area. In the midst of such turbulent economic times, a neighborhood like this stands apart, exuding a feeling of plush comfort and tranquility. Outside, it's America...

As I stand there admiring the scenery, I can't help but wonder what distinguishes the residents of places like The Oaks of Calabasas from the average Joe. Once in a while a topic like this comes up in conversations with my friends as we discuss business. Almost inevitably, I hear explanations implying that highly successful people just got lucky or somehow took shortcuts to achieve their success. I don't know.

In my experience, people who have succeeded in business and/or in life in general, have done so with a lot of hard work. I have known those who inherited some money, but to maintain their lifestyle they've worked as hard as anyone else.

Surrounded by homes in the $2 million - $13 million range, I give credit where credit is due, and I feel glad that even in the middle of a serious economic downturn there are those whose hard work is being rewarded.

How Sweet It Is!

Suddenly the Good Boy approaches.

"I love you, Abba."

"I love you too."

I kiss his forehead, and the Good Boy runs back to rejoin the soccer game.

Behind me, my beautiful wife chats with a group of other parents from our children's Hebrew day school. As they exchange stories I can hear their good-natured laughter from time to time.

The Sweet Sweetheart is happily munching on freshly-baked mini-bourekas and as I watch her, she tilts her head slightly to one side and flashes a beautiful smile at me.

I feel the sensation of a gentle breeze caress my folded arms, and notice that the leaves of a manicured hedge are swaying. The temperature is absolutely perfect.

It occurs to me that I have no other place to go, nothing I need to do at that particular moment and, oddly enough, no reason to rush.

I take in a deep breath and slowly let it out.

Ahhh... Life is good.