I've felt like I've been in a little of an intake rut for the last few weeks. Most of the reading, listening, watching, and interacting I've done has been with the same people and places I usually lean on. That consistency is key to my health and stability, but when I become overly aware of it, I try to push into a few new places. This week I tried to do that by moving into a few lighter places. Sometimes it worked exactly like I thought it would, and other times it really surprised me. It's like that famous line from Forrest Gump...
Anyway, here's a bit of what I've been:
Watching - I haven't binged a show since Netflix delivered DVDs through the mail, but this weekend I devoured both seasons of Ted Lasso in about 36 hours. Watching TV was about all I felt like doing between long bouts of sleep as I fought off my first run in with covid. And this seemed like just the simple sitcom to get me through. I was so right, and so wrong. The show definitely got me through, but what I thought would be two dozen episodes of one level comedy turned out to be an incredibly well rounded, thoughtfully layered series; one of the best I've watched in a long time. The range of characters provides a wide array of people to identify with, each with deeply human issues, redeeming qualities, and relational challenges. Every member of the ensemble cast allows for an examination of who we are, who we might be, and what we struggle with. The writing doesn't openly ask us these questions. It doesn't probe too deep. It just lets the viewer answer the questions for characters...and for themselves. And then there are the simple life lessons of Coach Lasso. Despite fighting his own deep and difficult demons, he delivers unwavering dedication to everyone else, and to the mission of life instead of surface level sport. He keenly hones in on winning the personal battle over the game, becoming the best person possible by being the best player possible, and by shifting the focus from the results we get to the actions we take. If you haven't seen it, I highly encourage you to stream some Ted Lasso (though something tells me I might be the last person in America to watch the show). Now...can someone help me understand the weird Coach Beard episode in Season Two?
Listening to - Earlier in the week I listened in on Liz listening to her favorite podcast, Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. It was like podcast voyeurism, but that's a whole other entry. :-) Armchair Experts is self-described as interviews with "celebrities, journalists, and academics about 'the messiness of being human'". I mean, who can deny loving the uncovering of human messiness through great conversation? This episode featured Daniel Pink. He is the author of seven books, three of which are New York Times' Best Sellers. In 2009 Pink authored Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us back in 2009 which is a favorite of mine. His latest book, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Can Move Us Forward is about the four types of regret and what they can do for us. I wrote a bit about regret a few weeks ago and so this listen was really well timed. Pink says that we experience regret in four types: foundation, boldness, moral, and connection. I can't wait to read the book and learn more, but at first glance these all seem to say one thing to me: we regret things because of the effect on us and those we love. We either don't work or save or study hard enough and it limits what we achieve and what we can pass on. We regret not taking actions to stand up for others or ourselves. We regret going against what we know is right because it tears us down and takes away from others. We regret losing touch because we know that we are fundamentally an interconnected species. So how do we live without regret? I think it's by living bravely, which is to do what's right even when it's hard. What helps you live without regret?
Reading - For a little lighter note, I loved reading this interactive piece called Why We Can't Quit the Guitar Solo. To start it features thoughts from some of all time favorites guitarists: Vernon Reid, Joey Santiago, and J Mascis. The piece also has great visuals and a nice high level progression of how the guitar solo evolved. The point of the piece though, is that while the guitar solo may have apexed in one way -- the virtuoso note playing or scale execution -- it has no bounds for its true purpose, which is emotional expression. That's what we love about music in all its forms. It's art. It's the human expression of our deepest emotions. So whether you're more Kim Tahyil or Joan Baez, rock on.
For a parting thought, I've had this hanging around in an open browser tab for a few weeks. I read a piece in March that surprised me. The Utah governor vetoed a transgender sports ban in March. I found this a really brave move for a Republican leader in today's hyper-divided political atmosphere where every decision is a purity test. The best part though was his rationale; he explained by saying, "I struggle to understand so much of it...[but] when in doubt however, I always try to err on the side of kindness, mercy and compassion."
May your week be deeper than you thought and filled with kindness, mercy, and compassion in your moments of confusion.
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