When I was 12 my dad was doing well in real estate so he bought our family a nicer home. It was on a couple of acres and had a barn. He promised me and my sister we could have a horse.
On moving day while Mom and Dad were in the house unpacking I went out to explore the barn. Behind the barn there was an old-fashioned, curved handle water pump. I thought that was pretty cool, so I started pumping the handle to draw out some water.
After rigorous pumping, not a drop came out. I figured the pump must be broken so I ran inside to tell Dad (nickname, Chubby).
Chubby looked at me with a smile, walked over to a box labeled "kitchen" and cut it open. He pulled out a large bowl and said, "Fill this with water and pour it into the top of the pump as you pump.”
I sprinted to the pump balancing the bowl of water, then began pumping the handle while pouring water into the hole at the top. Suddenly, I could feel the suction "catch" and sure enough, the water started to flow.
Later that night at dinner Chubby said, “Greg, what happened to you today is a lesson on living. Your knowledge, your health, your relationships, and your financial success will be determined by how often you prime those pumps.
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