The Athlete and I are forever friends. We met back in 2009 via Rod, a former client. The athlete dove in without thinking. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. He felt something and ran with it. Me too.
Fast forward to today. We’ve been doing this BTL thing and together we’ve been transforming for freaking forever. So, earlier this week we met at NSC, had lunch and took a drive down High street to 30 fu%^ing Warren. Back in 2011 we had lunch at the same place and walked the same streets looking for his future home. We walked into beautiful space after beautiful space. He kept shaking his head until we walked into 30 Warren. It was a dump. He saw something. Said this was the place. I did not see it. He did.
He was right.
So, he opened up shop and started his own development company. BTL would have it’s first start up and it was freakin’ magic. My sense was this thing was going to last forever. You and I tend to think likewise about our own selves. Our souls are forever. Our bodies temporal. We all have a built in expiration date. Thank God we don’t know. So my friend and I are not done, his 30 Warren HQ is. This is bitter sweet. Poison and wine. Life. Designed hard. Joy is accessible. Misery too. We choose. Simple, not easy. He’s going through hard now and it’s hard to see, there is however, no place I’d rather be…
The Athlete and I choosing to focus on the good and keep going. We’re filled with hope and it’s not wishful thinking. It’s rooted in the reality of this gig. This is life on earth. It’s just life on earth. It doesn’t mean the end of you and me. It’s just life on earth. (Thanks, Snow Patrol).
So, friend, when you’re on top of the mountain, look up and thank God. When you’re deep in the valley, look and do likewise. When you find yourself on the plateau, don’t worry. Marry the mundane and know the higher you climb the longer it feels like you’re not getting anywhere. Truth is, you are.
The Athlete is one helluva dude. He and I will walk on. What about you? How are you preloading your response to the shitstorms surely coming? None of us gets out of here unscathed. Prepare. Plan. Preload. And, remember this truth. You are never alone. Look up. Get up. Never give up. Nothing we build will last forever. Our bodies won’t either. Our souls? Freakin’ forever. What, friend, do you believe about this life on earth? What about eternity? Slow down. Reflect. Grab a hand when you need it. Give a hand when you see the need. Give and take care. Forever. Damn.
Live hard. Love ❤️ harder. Love you Athlete…
BUILT TO LEAD 