Ayn Rand's birthday is Monday, February 2nd.

I first discovered Ayn Rand at 24 when my girlfriend at the time, Angela, a woman nearly 10 years my senior, INSISTED I read The Fountainhead.

I remember being in a constant state of disappointment back then - not depression, but disappointment. I just found myself constantly disappointed in the people that surrounded me at the time. And, I didn't really know why. All I knew was that I loved my work, I wasn't happy, and I was stuck.

I couldn't put it into words. I couldn't articulate it. But, Angela saw it. And, she knew exactly what it was.

I devoured The Fountainhead. Or better stated, The Fountainhead devoured me. I was consumed. I think I actually read most of it with my eyes bulging and my mouth agape. At least, that's what it felt like.

I was speechless when I closed the back cover. I remember quietly rising off the couch... slowly standing... then, I simply stood... still.

I looked around the living room. I walked to the window. It was bright outside. And, I was new. The fog had been lifted.

3 years later I was running an IT Division for a dot com. 4 years after that, I started my own software company. 3 years after that we were doing 10 million a year.

7 years later, I was on the Atlas Shrugged Movie production team.

Wow.

I don't know how many people I've recommended Rand to over the years. Suffice it to say, a lot. Thank you Angela.

Thank you Ayn Rand.

Happy Birthday.

So, when did you discover Rand?

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