Land of the Loss

 

"Marshall, Will, and Holly..."

You know the rest. 

"On a routine expedition." 

Land of the Lost. A Saturday morning staple. Another Sid and Marty Kroft brilliant creation that glued us to the television set as we devoured our Cocoa Puffs or Fruity Pebbles.  

As the calendar is slowly turning to 2022, I started to look back in my rearview mirror at the year that was.  So many people I know suffered a loss of some type this past year.  

Death. Divorce. Irreconcialble differences.  They are all losses.  And, they all hurt.  

I've often said, earlier on in our adult life, we celebrate births and marriages.  Later on, we tend to mourn the deaths and divorces.  

Here's the thing though...

We can't celebrate the gains, the wins, the loves without experiencing the losses. Without the loss in our life, we don't realize how good the gains feel.  

It's cliche, but true... "when one door closes, another opens." 

For those of us who have suffered a loss this year, I am truly sorry.  But fear not, because there's a lot still there that can bring a smile to our faces. 

We do live in the land of the loss...but not the land of the lost. 

We'll leave that to Marshall, Will, and Holly (and that weird little furry guy Cha-ka).  

 

Hit The Trees

 

Let me introduce my youngest son, Charlie. 

He is an amazing kid and has taught me so much about life. 

"Hit the trees." 

One rainy day long ago, Charlie and I took a walk downtown after dinner and we happened to wander under a tree that was full of rain-drenched leaves from top to bottom.  

Charlie decided it would be fun to jump as high as he could and hit the soaked leaves so they would rain down upon us.  

He did so and yes, the rain dumped on both our heads.

Charlie looked at me and for a moment was wondering if I was mad.  I laughed out loud and Charlie did as well. He said to me, "you laughed...I thought you might be upset because others probably would've been," and I told him why would I be upset at something so fun.  

From that day on, if Charlie or I were sad or down, we would remind each other to "hit the trees." 

Spontaneous laughter.  

Silliness.  

Fun.  

Living life in the moment. 

Don't take things too seriously. 

That's what life is all about.  

Doesn't matter how tall you are, you will always be able to hit at least one wet leaf. 

And...leave the umbrella at home.  

Random Thoughts with Room Service

 

Every once in a while...random brain matter wants an audience and the content doesn't necessarily warrant a whole 8 1/2 x 11 but it doesn't mean it's not good. And what better time to put it out in the universe than traveling and doing the hotel thing. 

So with that...

Randomness. 

The ideal number of martinis one can have in a given night is two.  Not one.  Not three.  But two.  

Music stirs the brain and awakens the heart. 

Art and Life.  One and the same. 

We all have a little "Walter Mitty" or "Average Joe" in us. 

Toast is the most underrated food.  

Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly what Disney movies are made from.

Water, wine, and coffee.  The trifecta. 

A good coach...goes a long way. 

COVID-19 sucks. 

No matter how old I am, I will never lose the excitement of Friday night lights.

Forgive DOES NOT mean forget. 

Red wine tastes better in Autumn and Winter. 

Extroverts and Introverts migrate to the other side as they get older. 

Sex is better when in love.  It's true. 

And...

Never underestimate the power of human connections.  It can move mountains and save lives. 

Alarm set. 

Good night. 

What, Me Worry?

 

My alarm is set for 5:30 am every weekday (my cat doesn't distinguish weekdays v. weekends so he gets me up around 5:30 on the weekends too). 

It is a glorious feeling to actually sleep until the alarm hits.  

Most nights, it happens. 

Some nights, it doesn't.  Inevitably, something has ruined my REM around 3am.  It could be a bathroom call, a nightmare, or my cat.  What usually happens next is that my lizard brain activates. 

The lizard brain or the Limbic System, (it's called the lizard brain because the limbic system is about all a lizard has for a brain function) is the seat of emotion, mood, and lots of other mental and emotional processes. 

For all of us, the lizard brain is irrational and non-logical.  It tends to focus on possible outcomes of impossible situations; things outside of our control. 

I can guarantee the situation that the lizard brain is obsessing about at 3am will look a lot better in the bright of day.  There is almost nothing that can be done at 3am (especially since you haven't had your coffee or other caffeination yet). Go back to bed.  Attack the problem in the morning. 

Make that alarm do its job you paid it to do (it has one job!). 

Happenchance

 

Did you ever see the movie "Magnolia?" 

The movie starts out with the narrator telling us about several "random" individual incidents that really aren't random after all.  

In the New York Herald, November 26, the year 1911, there is an account of the hanging of three men. They died for the murder of Sir Edmund William Godfrey, Husband, Father, Pharmacist, and all-around gentle-man resident of Greenberry Hill, London. He was murdered by three vagrants whose motive was simple robbery. They were identified as Joseph Green, Stanley Berry, and Daniel Hill. Green, Berry, Hill. And I Would Like To Think This Was Only A Matter Of Chance.

As I sat at the bar last night sipping on my martini (shaken, not stirred), a memory of a happenchance meeting jolted me into the past.  One night, long ago, at this very bar, I was sitting reading a book by myself when a woman sitting at the bar with friends noticed me and called me over.  We ended up talking through the night and remain friends to this day.  

When we look at individual moments, in the here and now, all seem unconnected but when we look at the woven fabric of our lives, there is a certain connectivity to it all. One thread leads to another. 

The perceived randomness of the universe may not be as random as we would like to think. 

...it is in the humble opinion of this narrator that this is not just “Something That Happened.” This cannot be “One of those things…

More often than not, one of those things, is part of something much bigger. 

It happens all of the time. 

Happenchance?  Not a chance. 

Damn

 

Damn. 

Ever been in that "damned if you do, damned if you don't" types of situation? 

Of course, you have. 

It's a human condition. Somewhere, buried deep with the Lost Ark and the Holy Grail, are the rules of being human and this is somewhere between 23 and 48 on the list. 

I have taken a path and ended up in a certain place.  I have taken the direct opposite path and, lo and behold, have ended up in the exact same damn place.  

When you find yourself in this situation, there is only one course of action; throw your hands up and say..."f--k it."  It is what it is.  

One thing to note though, sometimes you do this and you aren't necessarily damned.  Sometimes, you go East-West on something and it actually turns out OK. 

Don't overthink it.  Like I said, somewhere between 23 and 48.  It's like 35 or 36.  

By the way, I'd choose to do rather than not do. Almost always. 

Damn straight. 

What's Your Recipe?

 

Who are you? 

I am not talking about some ethereal, cosmic description of who you are.  I am talking about the ingredients that create the recipe masterpiece that is you. 

Where did these ingredients come from?  Who influenced you? 

The real-life people in your life, who you know, who have shaped who you are.  The real-life people who you don't know but who you can relate to.  And, the fictitious characters who you have gotten to know through pop culture, who you can see yourself in their reflections. 

The easy, off the top of your head answers, are family members and friends. Dig deeper.  Who gave you your ingredients? 

Here's my list and why they made it...

My Dad - His ability to love, connect and care. 

My Mom - Keeping things grounded. 

Cindy Leighton - Getting me into radio. 

Pat Ryan - My theater TA who told me that natural talent only goes so far. 

Alan Watts - For looking at life as not a journey with a destination but a song to dance to. 

Jack Kerouac - Giving meaning to "the road." 

Ernest Hemingway - Adventurist. 

Robert Frost - Making words come alive. 

Ernest Shackleton - To explore without fear (his whisky is a close second). 

Doug Coughlin - Psychology at the bar. 

Tony Stark - Strength with insecurities (genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist all are in there as well). 

Don Draper - The art of advertising. 

Walter Mitty - To dream. 

Kenny Chesney - To remember what it's like to take your shoes off. 

Coach Eric Taylor - To coach a team to realize their full potential. 

And finally, my wife...who I have found...has a little bit of everyone else. 

What's cookin' with you? 

 

Some Guy in Plesantville

 

Did you see the movie "Pleasantville?" 

How about "Free Guy?" 

Both are excellent movies with original storylines, brilliant writing, and thespian-like acting. 

One character is trapped in a black and white world and the other is trapped being a non-player character (NPC) in a video game.  Both realize something is wrong.  Both realize something is missing. Both struggle to find the answers. 

Both breakthrough to the other side of their respective worlds though. Both take risks.  Blow up comfort zones.  Break societal constraints. 

Life does imitate art and vice versa. 

In life, there are times when you need to breakthrough.  Take the road less traveled. Leave your comfort zone in the rearview mirror. 

Life is not planned out for us.  It's ad-libbed.  Live it the best way you can all the way through the closing credits and don't be afraid to go off-script. 

"It's not supposed to be like this."  "It's not supposed to be anything." 

"Life doesn't have to be something that just happens to us." 

And...scene. That's a take. 

You Don't Suck

 

Ever have one of those hours?  One of those days?  Weeks?  Months?  

You know the ones.  Where it seems you are constantly on the downward swoop of the roller coaster...wondering when it's going to come back up. When the husky kid is doing the teeter-totter with you and you are always struggling to get off the ground.  

A wise woman (my wife) likes to say a phrase that hits home during times like that.   

"You don't suck." 

She is a woman of few words, super smart, and incredibly insightful.

To "suck" at something, inherently means you don't have the potential to get better.  Suckage seems like a lifetime sentence.  No one says "you suck today", or "I'm sucking this hour." 

To tell someone or to feel it yourself, that suckage isn't present, is a pardon, baby. 

So the next time things look bleak, look for that one bright spot that reaffirms...you don't suck.  

Another wise person once said, "to suck or not to suck...that is the question (okay, he may not have said that but you know what I mean)." 

So remember...

You don't suck.  

Truly.  

Happy Birthday Dad!

 

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Even though I can't give you a present today Dad, I celebrate You because the "presents" you have given me have lasted a lifetime. So in honor of you, I want to share your presents with everyone.   

For lack of a better term, I present "Cos-isms" for us all. 

"Always smile, Joe-Joe. Smile and the world will smile with you...frown and you are alone." 

No matter where you are, what's going on in your life, how broke you are, or what's happened to you, you can always smile.  Always. Dad never didn't carry a smile. Never. 

"Always take a chance on yourself." 

Dad got let go from his Sporting Good Sales position when he was in his '50s because they wanted to go in a "different direction" (it was obvious that was code for going younger). Dad had two choices; one was taking a position with an established company, the other was going into business for himself.  He chose the latter.  It didn't work out and years later he thought about whether or not he regretted it.  He came to the conclusion, he'd rather take a chance on himself than someone else. 

"Always look for the good." 

Dad was an immigrant who couldn't speak English when he first moved here (he was actually held back in school because of it) and had several lemons thrown his way but always looked for the good. He fought in a war, played JV football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ran for Homecoming Dorm Duke, created two successful careers for himself, married the love of his life, and was a father for 4 kids who he loved dearly. 

"No matter who comes into your life, always treat them well." 

At Dad's funeral, an elderly lady came up to me (I am the youngest so I happened to be at the end of the greeting line).  She asked if I was Cos' son.  I told her yes and she said "I have a story to tell."  Hollywood couldn't have written the storyline I was told.  

Apparently, her husband died in the war at an early age and she had a young son.  My Dad was coaching baseball at the time and this woman's son started hanging around the ballpark.  My Dad noticed him and made him an honorary Team Manager.  This young boy was a part of every practice and game and Dad bought him his first baseball glove. This young boy turned into a decorated General in the Armed Forces and years later had dinner with his mom and told her that Dad was one of the most influential people in his life. 

There are many more to share and I would be happy to over a beer (or wine) but these are the ones that will always stick. 

So, to Dad, I raise a glass to you.  Thank you.  I love you.  And, Happy Birthday! 

Salute! 

Sum Success

 

Some of the greatest TV shows of all time featured great ensemble casts. 

MASH.

Cheers. 

Seinfeld. 

Having the ability to put talented individuals together so that they create a better sum than the individual parts is a gift.  Having the ability to know your role as the individual in that ensemble cast is even a greater gift.  

It takes self-awareness and having a keen sense of the greater good.  You need to realize your own strengths and weaknesses and how to balance those with others. 

Doesn't matter if it's a cast, a team, a staff, or even a family.  The rules of "the ensemble" remain the same. 

Most of you know one of my favorite personal examples.  The 2023 youth football coaching staff. We coached three years together and what made it work was the balance of strengths and weaknesses, the program blueprints, and a common vision.  We won a lot of games but more importantly, we knew our success was going to be graded on the long game with our kids. 

To make it work, the SUM of the parts always needs to be greater than the individuals. 

Stronger together, than apart. 

  

Joe of All Trades

 

The week that was.

Did three Packer talk radio segments in two different markets.

Had an amazing date night with my wife at one of our all-time favorite restaurants.

Conducted a hugely successful client marketing seminar with over 75 clients in attendance.

Hung out with my son.

Public address work for the HS lacrosse tourney game.

Worked a charity event at my favorite bar.

Got a couple of good workouts in.

Brunched with dear friends.

That's a good week. For sure.

They say Jack of all trades and master of none but I beg to differ. Mastery is in the eye of the beholder and I feel I was batting pretty well with all of my endeavors.

I feel this is one of the most underrated keys to life. Do a diversity of things. Experience a diversity of experiences. Nike says it best, "just do it." Everything you can. Put yourself out there as often as possible. Don't get me wrong, everything wasn't perfect but that's ok. That's to be expected.

Looking back on this week today, I just had to smile.

Finished off with some creative penning.

168 hours well spent indeed.

Random Barstool Lessons

 

I've always said people come into our lives for either a reason, season, or a lifetime.  

I had one of those "reason" encounters recently. 

Cue Jim and Tony. 

I went into one of my favorite watering holes to have lunch and to watch the Bucks obliterate the Heat.  

Two old-timers (I use this term out of respect) came in and sat around the corner of the bar.   They ordered beers and tried to crane their necks to see the game.  They meandered around and asked if they could sit by me to get a better view of the game.  I told them "absolutely...the more the merrier."  

They introduced themselves and you could tell right away they were best friends for life. They had known each other since they were kids and this was the first time since the pandemic hit that they reconnected in public over a cold one. 

They were like bar virgin 21-year-old kids again, looking over the menu and ordering drinks and fare that they probably never ordered before but felt the urge to explore. 

Lately, I haven't been myself (probably a lot of that is going around as we start coming out of this mess). I got to talking to Jim and Tony and it was just what the doctor ordered.  They told me about their work, their retirement, their family, and the loves of their lives and they were absolutely ecstatic to be out again.  It was truly a breath of fresh air.  

My two takeaways? 

Jim told me "if you love what you do, you will never look at it as work...but more like play." 

Tony said, "live life like you stole it." 

I introduced them to the owners of the bar who were touched that they chose their bar to reunite in for the first time in months and I went on my way.  

Totally pulled me out of my funk (ironically, I was at a bar called Funk's) and put me in a better place. 

A reason.  

Thanks, Jim.  Thanks, Tony.  

Next one is on me. 

Seats On The Bus

 

When I was younger, I used to think everyone meaningful who came into my life would always play a big role in my life's trip.  No matter who, or what role, I just always assumed. 

I have lost people in my life to death and I have lost people in my life to choices. Obviously, death brings finality but choices can as well. 

I have people in my life who have chosen to write themselves out of the script (there are also people who I have edited out myself). 

I feel like my life has been a good bus ride.  Twists, and turns. Ups and downs.  No different than others.  Picking up different riders along the way. 

I know my bus isn't perfect.  It breaks down sometimes.  Sometimes, we get lost.  Sometimes it stalls. Sometimes it careens off the road.  Sometimes it's a lemon. 

But it's my bus.  I do think it's a pretty boss ride. It's fun, But I only have so many seats on it.  If you want to jump on, please do.  If you don't want to, that's cool.  You've got your own bus and several others to get your passes for.  Your choice. 

This route will keep going.  

Guaranteed.   

Want, Need or Just Plain Needy?

Do you need someone in your life? 

Or do you just want someone in your life? 

Can you do both?

How fine is that line between wanting and needing someone? 

I truly feel you can be healthy emotionally and still need someone. But if "needing" another is the key to happiness then I say the line has been crossed and you've fallen into neediness. 

I feel like needing someone is akin to Jerry Maguire's "you complete me" romantic soliloquy to Dorothy Boyd. The individual's love and peace are strong but together, with another, they are unbreakable.  

The want is the foundation for the need. It's the baseline and you build from there. 

Again though, like the need, if the want is superficially based, you've now fallen into wanting for the sake of having...which is very different from wanting and far more of a short-term proposition. 

Want and need...the stairsteps to a lifetime but a thin line for sure.  

 

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.

Yes, that's the mantra of Coach Eric Taylor and the Dillon Panthers on the TV show, "Friday Night Lights." It was their battle cry.  It was a staple in everything they stood for. It was their rally point. It brought the team together when it seemed like they were about to fall apart. 

It was just a TV show but art did imitate life when they painted a picture of what Friday Night Lights really does mean to a community. 

This past Friday night, we got to experience our one home Friday night football game during this Spring season.  Because the pandemic erased our fall season, our school (Oregon High School) put together an abbreviated Spring season to give these kids a chance to play. 

As I looked around at the parents and fans during our pre-game activities and during the game, I saw clear eyes and full hearts.  For three hours, the world seemed normal again. For three hours, time stopped and there was nothing else but a football game going on.  For three hours, we could all forget the troubles of the times and just cheer.  

That's what Friday Night Lights gives us all.  Players, fans, families, and friends.  We get to escape and experience the raw emotion of the night.  We get to feel alive again.  The smiles.  The tears. The wins and losses.   

"When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass...I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads."

Friday Night Lights. 

Can't lose. 

Nice Guys Can Finish First

 A Firefighter. 

A Policeman. 

A Lawyer. 

An Architect. 

These are just some of the responses someone might have when asked "what do you want to be when you grow up?" 

These are all admirable professions and career callings. Professions that garner respect and appreciation. 

I'd like to advocate for another one...

A Nice Person. 

In a world where we have seemed to have lost our way sometimes, simply being nice can carry more weight than a badge, degree, or title.  

Saying pleasant things to someone, going out of your way to show your appreciation, or simply smiling more can become epidemic-like in its own way.  In a time when the term "contagious" has become part of our everyday vocabulary, being contagious in a positive way seems like a pretty novel idea. 

You can still chase that profession.  You can still aspire for that title.  You can still wear the badge.  But under it all, just be a nice person. 

It's that simple. 

Bring your Matches

 

I love candles. The love the illumination. I love the scent. I love the aura it brings. I have two reserved spots for my candles in my home.  One is on a bookshelf under my TV and the other is on my breakfast bar.  

When they are lit or dormant, they fill a hole in my home space.  Of course, when they are lit, that is when they glow...that is when they are most alive.  But even in their sleep, they provide beauty and potential good fortune.  

You almost don't want to light it for fear of losing it.  But you do.  You enjoy that light albeit temporary. 

It's the same when people who we are close to, leave our life (either by death or departure).  People who are in our life will not always have an alive spirit but just knowing they are there, makes a world of difference. When they are gone, they leave a hole.  

Candles can always be replaced with new ones but it's not the same. 

When people close to us leave, there will always be others around...but it's not the same.

Remember the brilliance.  Remember the warmth.  And keep striking the match.  

Burn baby, burn.  

PS; I Feel the same way about fireplaces.  

Everybody Takes Authorship

 

When my wife was in college, she was sitting in a class when she heard gasps from her fellow students. 

She looked up to see the professor bleeding from his head.  

He calmly removed a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbed the blood on his forehead, and matter-of-factly exclaimed, "we all have our stories" and proceeded to go back to teaching the class as if nothing had happened. 

We all have our stories. 

When they say you can't judge a book by its cover, they are so on target. 

We meander through life and bump into people everywhere.  Some stay awhile and some are just passing through but all have their stories.  All have their demons.  All have their challenges. All have their things that trigger their respective lizard brains. For lack of a better term, "all have their crosses to bear." 

Robin Williams once said, "everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." 

It's that simple.  We are all authors of our own books.  

Understand that some of our pens either bleed ink or simply run out. 

But, they are all worth reading. 

One page at a time. 

 

  

Clean Your Hands First

 

“Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure your hands are clean!”

Wise words from the great Bob Marley many years ago. 

Recently, I have encountered several instances of hypocrisy; those that affected me directly and those that affected those around me.  

We, as a society, are quick to point out the flaws of others but not as quick to look at the reflection in the mirror and point back. 

Don't be too quick to judge others when the jury is still out on you.

Want to borrow some Windex? 

SHAZAM!

Remember the 1970's Saturday morning live-action superhero show, Shazam!?

It was about a young boy named Billy Batson who somehow was granted superpowers and every time he yelled the word "SHAZAM," he was transformed into the superhero, Captain Marvel who had all of the powers from ancient Greek Gods.  

I was 6 at the time the show aired for the first time.  

You have to understand something before I go on, I was infatuated with superheroes and comic books growing up.  My dad took me to the comic book store every Saturday morning to buy a new comic book. A quarter a week (I still have several from when I was little). 

We lived on the 12th fairway of the Beloit Country Club and there was an empty sand trap that was the perfect place to go daydream.  I would run around the sand-less trap and then fall down and look up at the clouds.

Sidenote; that sand-less trap also happens to be where we spread my Dad's ashes upon his death.  

Every once in awhile I would look up at the cloud formations and yell the magical word just to see if anything would happen, "SHAZAM!"  And of course, nothing would ever happen except disappointment. 

As I look back at my life and realize that I am approaching the autumn of the year, I think about times in my life when I would've yelled SHAZAM! to change or alter the current situation.  Truthfully, there's only a few...less than a handful.  

Do yourself a favor and play the same game.  You will realize that when you look at the book of life, a super intervention only was needed a few times. 

Life can be pretty super on its own.  No capes needed. 

 

Paper, Rock and Scissors

 

The other day, I was opening a sealed envelope and got a paper cut on my hand.  It happened right by the part of the hand that folds over when grabbing something.  In other words, quite painful.  I started thinking about the pain that one little measly corner piece of tree/plant pulp (could've been bamboo, cotton, hemp, jute, etc. but I wasn't sure of the origin) could create.

"How can something so frail and small give birth to excruciating pain?" 

Isn't that the truth in life as well? 

A lot of times, the hurt we feel comes from something small.  Or at least it starts small. 

It could be something someone said or did that cuts us to the bone. A hurtful word, or comment, or gesture. 

There are two ways to chop down a tree.  Either small whacks over time in the same location or one mighty chop coming from a behemoth-like machine.  

Again, true in life as well.  Small, consistent whacks over time can prove painful. 

George Plimpton was an American journalist who wrote the book "Paper Lion" about his experience trying to play professional football for the Detroit Lions.  The title suggested that he was not professional football material because of his paper-thin athletic skills.  

Plimpton described himself as a "Paper Lion" but his impact on that team cut deeper than anyone could imagine.  

Again, the strength of the "paper" is able to gash. 

Forget the rock or scissors, paper always wins. Always. 

When is the Right Time To Write

I find myself in a quandary. 

Due to extenuating circumstances right now, I am not in a good headspace.

My lizard brain has been activated and active and I have always found writing as a way to help me to quiet the lizard brain.  The problem is my writing is taking on a dark undertone that I don't find appealing.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes writing...real, honest writing can (and should) be shaded. But it can't consume.  

When you start a blog that starts out with the loss of life (either from death, divorce, or growing apart) and another that starts out with a condemnation of overt hypocrisy, you know you are heading down a dark and dreary road. 

So when is the right time to write?  During good times or bad?  Happy or sad?  Introspective (or as my wife calls it, "thinky") or looking outward onto the rest of the world? 

I guess the answer is "yes." 

Writing for me is a release so I can't feel bad if my writing takes on a dark undertone sometimes.  I also don't want to write only when times are Pollyanna.  The teeter-totter balances in the middle for a reason. 

I might still publish my two darker ones or I might just keep them as drafts.  Sometimes, just getting feelings out there into the universe, makes all the difference.  

My keyboard becomes my therapist without expensive visits or comfy couches. 

Write when it feels right. Not when you think it might be wrong.  

Right? 

Blueprints, a GPS or Conrete?

 

We are here today, because of yesterday. 

But the question is was yesterday your blueprint, your GPS, or your concrete. 

Let me explain...

If you look at yesterday as the blueprint, you are designing the big picture but staying true to the consistency of the moment.  It's the design of what is to come. 

If you look at yesterday as the GPS, you are following the voyage of the trip.  It's the path of what is to come. 

If you look at yesterday as the concrete, you have built your foundation...you have "poured your concrete."  The house can end up a lot different but you have a base. 

I argue that yesterday is nothing more than your concrete. It's the foundation.  The construction can go in a lot of different directions. Your blueprint and your GPS are all up to you. 

I used to think I was always heading in a certain direction because of my concrete.  I updated my blueprints and GPS. 

You will always have to live with your concrete.  Blueprints and GPS were made to be changed. It's their essence. 

Know your concrete. 

Erase your blueprints...over and over again. 

Turn off the GPS and just drive.  Sometimes.  

Today.