Many thanks, that's a huge compliment.
While I'm on a roll, here are a few more comments!
I tell you, when there is an event like a BBQ or birthday party with people I don't like and I'd go because excuses were wearing thin, I'd hate every minute and dread going for a week before. Now I do whatever I want and its great - as well as enjoying the time "gained" I have double enjoyment thinking that I'm not being a slave to others. This started last year and my wife found it tricky to start with - quite embarrassed that I never went to things except with my own friends. We discussed it at length, and when she understood that I would not want her to spend time with any friends or relatives of mine that she did not want to spend time with, she "got it" as well and supports my choices. People think I'm odd for not conforming, but I don't care, and I tell you, it is incredibly liberating not to be a slave to relatives or social pressure.
The family stuff on FDR is a little harder for me to get as may parents are (were, dad died young a few years ago), great. My mum is my secretary and if she wasn't my mum, she's exactly the sort of person I'd have as a friend anyway. My dad was incredibly optimistic and enthusiastic and this has rubbed off on me, leading to business success. For example, I remember at the age of 6 or 7 saying that I wanted to leave scouts as they went to church once a month and I thought it was insane, all these people pretending to worship a ghost in the sky - it was like the "Emperors new clothes". My parents said that they agreed, there was no evidence for it and it was a good decision to leave the scouts. But I think that I was extremely lucky and I see terrible parenting everywhere. I also de-fooed an evil Aunt 10 years ago, told her never to call me again, and my parents applauded that.
And of course, the most important thing is being a great parent to my 6 year old boy - I may have taken the curiosity thing too far though - he now says "dad, why are you always asking me questions?"!! We moved house when he got to school age, the main reason being that we could then send him to the only non-religeous private school in NZ.
Finally I've taken liberty into my career - rather than fight Govt beaurocrats in a Govt Hospital, I work for myself and have started and sold two medical businesses and and am soon starting the third.
Cheers, and apologies for such a self-centred post!
Shaun 