Winning Streak
The short post-Labor Day week really went fast. Lori and I spent the holiday weekend hanging out with our younger son in Madison, Wisconsin - our first visit since moving him into his apartment in April. This time we got to really enjoy ourselves.
Friday night we picked up takeout from Haven, and found the perfect table at the Terrace at Memorial Union on the University of Wisconsin’s campus, right on Lake Mendota. Live jazz was playing, and the most amazing cloud formations floated across the lake. After dark, the heat and humidity generated lightning far off in the distance.
Saturday morning started with bagels from Gotham Bagels, and then a lap around the amazing Madison Farmer’s Market - easily 10x the vendors that we have here in Granville. We enjoyed lunch at Little Tibet, where the beef momo (handmade beef dumplings) were fantastic. After lunch, we toured the Epic campus, which was amazing. Then we hit the grocery store, where I bought three cases of Spotted Cow beer (a friend had mentioned his love of it, and it is only produced and sold in Wisconsin - so we stocked up to bring plenty home).
Sunday we made yummy Thai-inspired crepes at our son’s apartment, followed by a leisurely walk to a different part of Madison, where there were a number of excellent bakeries and shops.
Shoddy sleep had us up early Monday morning, so we hit the road for home and were lucky to arrive at 1pm. This allowed me ample time to clean up a very large tree branch that fell down while we were away. (It does seem like this has happened the last few times we’ve gone away…the trees are trying to tell us something.). Eight hours of driving, plus four hours of tree cleanup…now that is what I call Labor Day.
Thursday night I had the privilege of seeing a young man named Charlie Rocket speak to the EO Columbus membership. As a young man in Atlanta, Charlie became a manager to many successful Atlanta-based rappers before encountering some health difficulties that prompted him to do a full reset of his life. Weighing more than 300 lbs, he committed himself to exercise, and documented his journey. This culminated in him self-producing this homage to Nike advertising, which actually caught Nike’s attention, and it produced this ad featuring Charlie along with many other world-famous athletes. Charlie’s story of reinvention was powerful, and aligned with many of the emotions I’ve felt in this new chapter as an EOS Implementer.
He spoke of creating “winning streaks,” simply noticing the good things happening around us, no matter how small - and using them to build positive momentum. He reminded us that Kobe Bryant, working with his performance coach, developed a new self-identity that he referred to as “Black Mamba” which rejuvenated his basketball career. He spoke of “delusional optimism.”
Charlie’s talk reminded me how easy it is for people to be their own most significant limiting factor. Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, he embraced these concepts and rebuilt his life. Whether one is doing a complete reinvention, or simply managing a smaller amount of change in their life, these ideas are powerfully helpful.
Look for reasons to see that you are on your own winning streak this week. And know that I’ll be doing the same.
Sunday Supper
Harissa Shrimp w/ Greens and Feta
Za’atar Turkey Meatballs w/ Tahini Yogurt
Miso-Maple Sheet-pan Chicken w/ Brussels Sprouts
Sunday Music
Tori Kelly at the NPR Tiny Desk
Happy Organ Hour at the Maple Leaf Bar
Hiromi Uehara Live in Marciac, 2010
Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them. Have a great week ahead!
You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,