Why do I do the things that I do?

• The writing.
• The speaking.
• The healthy lifestyle.

Because I want to live forever.

Yeah, I know I won’t.

But in the words of Banksy, you die twice. Once when you actually die. And again when someone says your name for the last time.

So those things I do? I’m trying to get as close to forever as I can.

Who’s gonna tell your story?

• Your spouse?
• Your kids?
• Your students?
• Your followers?
• Your organization?
• Your frameworks?
• Your inventions?
• Your writing?
• Your music?
• Your movies?
• Your photos?
• Your legend?

Lotta people and things can tell your story.

It’s up to you to write it.

Can you believe it?

• The dude sitting next to me is taking up half my seat.
• The flight attendant has the loudest, most annoying, most never-ending voice.
• That guy is smoking a nasty cigarette three feet from my face.

Yep, it’s happening. Believe it.

And ya might as well laugh at it all.

People can usually figure it out on their own.

• Where to sit at a dinner.
• Where to stand in a group photo.
• Which position everyone should play on a team.

Those things are not tough to figure out.

But in a group, why let people figure it out for themselves?

It’s bound to get awkward. And be inefficient. And sub-optimal.

If you’re the host or the photographer or organizer, don’t be afraid.

Tell ’em where to go.

Today is my birthday. I’m officially 30.

To save you time (and entertain you or bring you joy or make you feel inspired), I’ve “registered” for the following things.

These are all things YOU can do today that will make me happy on my birthday.

They’re all free.

• Go outside (it’s glorious today in Chicago).
• Get some exercise (see above).
• Make a smoothie.
• Try a Vitamix for 30 days.
• Check out some of the Nutribullet vs Vitamix YouTube video I just published.
• Adopt a dog.
• Talk to your neighbor.
• Do something silly.
• Throw away some clutter.
• Make something healthy to eat (if you don’t normally do that).
• Eat some junk food (because that’s how you eat at special events).
• Hug a loved one.
• Hug a coworker.
• Subscribe to Life is NOYOKE.
• Call me and sing Happy Birthday on my voicemail.
• Write down three things for which you’re grateful.
• Make some music.
• Write something.
• Be happy.

I’ve made it easy to do at least one. But if you want to give the best gift, pick one that’s not so easy. It’s the difficult ones that make the best gifts.

What do you do when you’re stuck?

I hear people tell me they’re stuck all the time.

• Stuck at a certain weight.
• Stuck on a problem they’re solving.
• Stuck at the airport.

Getting stuck is normal. But, continuing to get stuck at the same weight or issue or airport is not.

Make a change.

New plan. New approach. New airport or airline or route.

Just change it up.

Sure, you might get stuck again. But at least it’s in a different spot.

Art is never original. It’s an adaptation.

So, on this blog, I try to put my original voice on unoriginal thoughts, writings, etc.

They’re adaptations.

But this one is not worth adapting. It’s best read as an original, in its entirety.

It’s called the Moral Bucket List, although I prefer the title, “The Stumbler.”

Highlights:

• Resume Virtues vs Eulogy Virtues.
• “Wonderful people are made, not born.”
• What happens when we crash through barriers of fears.

And this:

The stumbler doesn’t build her life by being better than others, but by being better than she used to be.

So true.

Check it out in the David Brooks article, Moral Bucket List in full here.