Just a bunch of random thoughts and observations this week:
Watched the documentary “Brats” on Hulu this week about the 80s Hollywood Brat Pack phenomenon. Must watch for Gen-X and fascinating on a lot of levels. Lots of people participated (some obvious ones didn’t). I have to say, Andrew McCarthy, who produced the deep dive look at how the biting New York magazine article that coined the phrase impacted the lives of this group of stars in the almost 40 years following it’s publishing, came across as a bit neurotic to me. I kept thinking: 1) no one really associated you with that group in the first place, 2) dude, you’re 60…..time to go to therapy and get over it….and 3) you were freaking BLANE for chrissakes (if you know, you know)… but, yes, still a fun watch.
The Springtime of Tom Brady continues….first it was the absolutely absurd, ill advised, raunchy, sometimes funny, but definitely a massive cry for attention that was the 3 hour long Tom Brady Roast, and then this past week it was ceremony that was his induction into the New England Patriots’ Hall of Fame. For those of us that live in the Boston area, it was wicked hahd to pick which spectacle to watch on TV that night — the Celtics steamrolling the Mavs or this more buttoned up, corporate, less snarky but still a cry for attention, East Coast version of the roast. Either way, everyone was going to have something to talk about in the Dunkin Donuts line the next day….jokes aside, he did drop some nice pearls of wisdom in what my wife referred to as his “feeble attempt at a commencement speech.” I’ll drop a link here to the most inspiring part that talks about team work, working hard, and value of being consistent over being special. Worth a listen.
Another recent reminder of the fragility of our existence — a few weeks ago I was on the sideline on a Wednesday night helping coach my 7th grade son and his team in a fun, year end 7th/8th grade combined boys vs. girls lacrosse game. The game was played by girls rules (very little contact, much more emphasis on speed, player movement and passing) and the boys had to use the girls’ sticks — which have a tighter pocket, making it harder for them to catch and throw. Needless to say, the girls smoked the boys that night. Lots of laughs and a fun time was had by all. Then, just a few days later on that Friday, I received a shocking midday email — a Dad of one of the 8th grade girls, who had been standing on the sideline coaching as I was just a few nights before and whose hand I shook at the end of the game, tragically passed away after a medical incident while he was on a run (on Thursday night, less than 24 hours after our boys/girls game)….while I didn’t really know the guy, it could have easily been you, me or someone else you know….and on top of it all, he had a son that is captain of the high school lacrosse team who was the one who found him unresponsive in their backyard — on the night before he was set to lead the team in the state quarterfinals that Friday…..surely he wasn’t going to be able to play, right? Wrong. This is what has happened since…….unbelievable strength, courage and will by the young man….as you most likely read this, we will be going to the State Championship game as a show of support…..a reminder to count your blessings and be grateful for every moment you have with those you love most.
Tying the Tom Brady mention and the lacrosse story I just told: our ability to achieve is based on two primary attributes — SKILL and WILL. SKILL requires talent, practice, mastery and discipline. It is something that can be sharpened over time. Everyone can work to improve and increase their level of skill in something. You may not have the most talent or be “special” but a talent gap can definitely be overcome with hard work. On the other hand, WILL is somewhat of an intangible trait. Will is a combination of grit, fight, determination and perseverance that you just have in you. Will is what picks you up when you are down, what gets you moving when all you want to do is sit still — it’s what gets someone to want to play a lacrosse game with their teammates a day after their father unexpectedly passes away….when a person or group of people have the will, they can accomplish anything. If they have both SKILL and WILL? Well, that’s what makes someone worthy of a Hall of Fame induction….
Caught up with a long time friend, colleague and FOD earlier this week who shared some details about what they were working on for the “next chapter” in their career. I was pleasantly surprised — it was completely out of left field, something that was unexpected but totally on brand for them. And I was ecstatic to hear it. I couldn’t help but say, “Yo, that is cool and and you are totally going to be great at it!” How awesome is it that we have the ability to turn the page and start an entirely new chapter whenever we want? And those chapters, if we are lucky, can be as long (if not longer) than the chapter we thought was going to be the main chapter of our lives. It is true, everyday we write the book….
Kind of short and sweet this week. Have a good one….and, while you are at it, maybe give someone a longing look….
XOXO
Dave
And now a few things to make you smarter…
They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”
Measuring happiness is tricky business, more so when taking into account how different regions, cultures, and faiths define it. Nevertheless, the World Happiness Report attempts to distill being happy into a single score out of 10, and then ranks countries by their average score.
In this chart, you will find a list countries by the biggest gaps in happiness ranks between young adults (<30) and older adults (60+). A higher number indicates a larger gap, and that the youth are far unhappier than their older counterparts.
“The dreaming brain is serving a function, and if it gives you a nugget of an emotional and visual dream, reflect on that. That's a portal to yourself that no therapist can even get to.”
This article higlights that the major themes and images of vivid dreams are worth paying attention to, and trying to derive meaning from. It sheds a light on how we can learn from our dreams, including some of modern science’s most remarkable findings, and theories, about the dreaming brain.
Passion and commitment are widely believed to be the foundation of strong romantic relationships. A 2019 study found that one trait in particular – humility – is an important indicator of successful relationships.
Being optimistic or pessimistic is not just a psychological trait or interesting topic of conversation; it’s biologically relevant. As this article points out, there is mounting evidence that optimism may serve as a powerful tool for preventing disease and promoting healthy aging.
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