Welcome To The Community

Together, we’ll dive deep and find the strength to never give up because Great Things Take Time.

Today’s newsletter is a short one; because on this Monday, there are better things for you to be doing with your time today than reading an email from me, even if I do appreciate your support.

Most of us reading this immediately have something that comes to mind when we think of loss. A person, an item, a ritual. Truly, it could be anything. But how often do we find time to honor the impact it had on our lives?

If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe and join the Great Things Take Time Community to get content from me every Monday.

Here's what's in today's email

• The Fuel That Drives You

• Moments with Maurice

• What's Got Me Smilin'

The Fuel That Drives You

People tell you to make time to grieve a loss, but how many of us actually do? No matter the intensity of a loss that leaves us feeling gutted, taking time to process our feelings throughout our lives can be difficult. We live in a “what’s next? world where we’re constantly directed to look to the next thing. Even the phrase “cut your losses” directs us to sever ties with things perceived to be holding us back. You can’t move forward and progress when you’re stuck in the past, reminiscing about something that will never come. 

When it comes to the loss of my grandmother, like everyone else, I can also get caught up in pushing complex emotions off so that I can be more streamlined, more aerodynamic, and get to the destination quicker. But I’ve found that when I make time for those complex emotions, they end up being the fuel I need to move faster.

Nana would want me to follow her lead and be a contributing member of society, always there to provide the community with something. Of course, she would expect this to all happen while dressed in my best clothes to represent myself as an upstanding person. Nana would also want me to dedicate time to the people and things that I love, especially the people I love, because to her, that was how one got the most out of life: being around the people you cared for.

Thinking about her brings up a lot: There is a feeling of guilt to make up for the time that was lost, there is joy to remember the good that was brought, there is sadness to think of what will never come, and there is hope that things can grow to be even better than what could have been imagined.

Also, lest we forget that I’ve already let her down a bit by the fact that many of my clothes have rips in them….

All of these emotions remind me that the best way to honor my grandmother is to ensure I find a way to do it, period. To find time to grieve what is gone (no matter how small) and make a plan on what my future actions will be like, a ritual of sorts.

When I can make my emotions work for me (which isn’t always because I am human and have my fair share of days where I just want to push things down.)

Today, find time to honor something that was lost. Remember what it did for you, what it gave you, and what it continues to give you. How you wouldn’t be who you are without that person or thing in your life. Get quiet and thank what you’ve lost for what it gave you and promise you’ll never forget and that you’re stronger because of it.

Moments with Maurice

If you only pause to reflect on your life for one moment today, do it now.

Close the gap for someone.

If you’ve worked out with Eddie, you know his favorite thing to yell at you is to “close the gap” or catch up, put your all into the workout. But what if we looked at his rallying cry in a deeper way?

How can you “close the gap” for someone else? How can you show them that there is a support system there to help push them to their Great Thing?

Right now, you have the means to be influential and life-changing for someone. I’m not just talking about money; you have connections, skills, knowledge, and joy that can help be the bridge for someone.

My weekend in Boston with Good Sports showed me that everyone can have a meaningful and life-altering influence on someone else. It doesn’t have to be the obvious way or what we think society wants us to do. Heather’s answer below demonstrates how that can impact our first reaction when we’re asked what we can provide. You’re not alone if you struggle to see your unique gifts that might not be easily catalogued. The world is a better place because of what you can offer.

Because no matter what, there is always something to smile about.

Does this count as smiling?

As more photos come in, I can’t help but laugh at some of them, like below, where I’m clearly thinking WOOWEEE it’s HAWT. (Plus many expletives).

How do you all who live in hot, humid climates do it? You all know that I don’t sweat, I’m actually constantly auditioning to be the next Niagara Falls, but that’s usually in an air-conditioned studio. Running in Miami meant that within a mile, a lesser sweat-wicking shirt would have given up. Here’s to everyone who gets after it in less than perfect conditions, you should be proud of yourself.

Celebrating Love

Celebrating a coworker, Shakah’s wedding. He’s a producer and an integral part of everything, I can’t think of anyone better who deserves a celebration of love.

In My Cup

APEROL SEASON at Bar Americano

Take A Breath

Do something this week that lets the stress melt off. You got this.

Remember:

-Adrian