There are typically two kinds of families.

One kind of family goes above and beyond to celebrate birthdays. The other kind goes above and beyond to celebrate holidays like Christmas.

Since I come from a family that tends to overvalue Christmas and undervalue birthdays, I have always thought birthdays were a little overrated.

However, after marrying a woman who comes from a family that truly celebrates birthdays, I have slowly but surely changed my mind.

And it just so happens, March 16th, 2026, is my 43rd birthday. But instead of celebrating myself, the real hero in the story is the mom, not the baby. And since I know my mom reads this newsletter with a hawk’s eye for my grammar, today is really a thank you to her.

She believed in me before anyone else. She encouraged me before I even knew what encouragement meant. She has lived the Optimistic Outlook for all 43 years of my life. In fact, when I think of a quokka, the happiest animal on earth and the one that inspired this newsletter, I can’t help but picture Margie Eades.

Over time, I have come to understand something simple but powerful.

Belief is transferred. And it is always transferred through a source. Someone has to give it to you before you fully have it yourself.

For many of us, that first source was our mom. Said differently, there is a good chance the confidence you carry today started as a borrowed belief from your mom.

So if you are lucky enough to read or listen to this message, and you have a mom who is still alive, the birthday present you can give me is simple.

Call or text her and just say, “Thank you.”

P.S. Today is the 250th episode of the Optimistic Outlook, which is also a podcast! Another great birthday present would be leaving a rating or review wherever you listen to podcasts would mean a lot.