Living the Map

The first college campus I visited in my life was De Anza College in Cupertino, CA. When I became a fan of sports, I was drawn by the brands of colleges and loved to visit the campuses. In high school, I attended a running camp at Stanford University and dreamed of going there for school. I competed for the University of Oregon and USC and started to travel for invitationals. A division 1 institution represents so much of its community, and it became a part of my excitement to travel.

After over 25 years of being a sucker for college sports, I finally visited my last division 1 college campus. Colleges have changed so much over the years that many have become like resorts for appeal. Some have become like a mid-size city. Here are some of my favorites.

Northwestern University
Stanford University
Princeton University
Louisiana State University
University of Colorado at Boulder

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FINAL Lesson from Every City  #101

Cincinnati, OH---It is quite serendipitous that the city which has inspired me first in my career and cultural explorations is also the place where I am concluding this remarkable reflective project of sharing lessons from the road.

The most used topic of inspiration is about time, including:

"Only time will tell"
"The most precious resource we all have is time"
"Time is money" 
"Time doesn't wait for anyone"

The seasons of our lives, encompassing both challenges and triumphs, remain beyond our control. We may exert considerable effort and take risks, anticipating that circumstances will eventually change in our favor. Failure is an inherent aspect of this journey, often leaving us feeling defeated as we search for solutions. At times, the only explanation may simply be that it is not yet our moment. Failure has the potential to lead us to either profound sorrow and hopelessness or to a deeper understanding and insight. It never seems like it comes at the right time.

In contemplating the notion of failure, it becomes evident that failure serves as a form of preparation. After experiencing over 120 unsuccessful job interviews following my graduation from the University of Southern California, I did not realize until many years later that these setbacks were equipping me for a significantly more challenging journey that lay ahead. Had I not reached that profound sense of "rock bottom," I would not have discovered the fortitude to undertake the endeavor of working 50 jobs in 50 states. Furthermore, if I had not desensitized myself to the rejections I encountered, my opportunities would have remained limited. Failure taught me resilience, adaptability, risk-taking, and endurance. Success taught me what it takes to get there and stay there.

When I revisited Cincinnati, I had the opportunity to tour the museum located at the Procter and Gamble Headquarters, where I found the Wall of Failures to be particularly intriguing. Certain products did not succeed primarily because they were ahead of their era, as consumers were not prepared to embrace them.

The occurrence of success and failures mirrors the cycles of nature.

Lessons from Every City  #100

Boone, NC---One of my pet peeves is when someone says they're too busy or don't have time, knowing my solution has always been to wake up earlier. To me, that indicates that you're not important. I'd make sure to structure my days to fit in things that are important. I'd move my schedule around to meet up with someone that I value, even if it means rerouting.

If you love someone or something, you'll make that your priority. It reminds me of my recent trip to Boone, of course named after the frontiersman Daniel Boone. I watched the most insightful performance reflecting his time in the region, called Horn in the West. It tells the story of early American pioneers, particularly focusing on Daniel Boone and the settlers of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as they fought for freedom against British tyranny during the American Revolutionary War. In each and every scene, everyone's priorities were clear, highlighting their struggles to preserve their liberty in the wilderness while navigating challenges like Cherokee alliances and the harsh mountain terrain.

I don't think I've ever used the term busy, tired maybe.

Lessons from Every City  #99

Pittsburgh, PA---A funicular is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope, which is commonly used in hilly cities like Pittsburgh. They were first used for carrying coal but eventually became people movers. The oldest known funicular, which has been in operation since the early 1500s at Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, Austria. Pittsburgh used to operate 24 inclines and have mastered the art of transportation up and down steep grades.

The natural progression throughout humanity is to "one up" another. That's why it's important to be surrounded by people that inspire you. Everyone has their own path, but learning from other provides information to either do better or different.

When I address an audience from the stage, I do not encourage individuals to emulate my path; rather, I seek to provide insights that they can adapt and incorporate into their own lives, whether that's from failures or successes.

The narratives of individuals serve as a source of inspiration; despite their existence in entirely distinct realms, they illuminate the possibilities that lie before us.

Lessons from Every City  #98

Hulett, WY---Throughout much of my travel career, I have often journeyed alone; however, when I encounter something truly extraordinary, I am eager to share my insights with others. I feel it's always been rewarding to share my experience with someone, otherwise it's just going be a well-kept secret. It is common to want to share things with others to build relationships, foster connection, express ourselves, gain validation, spread information, and sometimes even to help others, all of which contribute to a sense of belonging and social well-being; essentially, sharing is a key component of human interaction and community building.

On the other end of the spectrum, being alone is easier for those people that are afraid to show their true self, often due to the fear of judgment, rejection, or not being accepted by others, leading them to hide aspects of their personality or beliefs to conform to societal expectations or fit in with a group.

During my tenure as a park ranger at Devils Tower in Hulett, Wyoming, I experienced an unprecedented sense of solitude. This feeling was somewhat unsettling, as I found myself disconnected from the world around me. It was just me and the natural environment. With no distractions to divert my attention, my thoughts raced uncontrollably, a common occurrence when one is alone. I knew it was only temporary, so that was my only escape. This experience did change my mind about becoming a park ranger. Everything I was experiencing was kept to myself and I'm a natural born storyteller.

Lessons from Every City #97

San Juan, PR---I have not covered or referenced Puerto Rico in any of my works, as my last visit occurred when I was approximately six or seven years old. During that time, my family and I embarked on a cruise that circled us around the Caribbean islands and eventually to Venezuela. We visited nearly every island except for Jamaica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. My sole recollection of San Juan involves sitting in a well-known city square next to a fountain. My parents purchased sodas for my brother and me, featuring a unique international design that was not available in the continental United States. For reasons I don't recall, I placed his bottle behind me and then inadvertently scooted back, causing it to shatter. I cannot explain this behavior, perhaps it stemmed from a sense of jealousy. Obviously, I was being a punk and felt badly about it.

Living in regret, shame, or guilt can only be escaped by forgiving yourself, just as you would to someone else or what you'd want others to do for you.

You have the option to distance yourself from any circumstance or individual, yet ultimately, you are your own most significant companion. It is essential to treat yourself with kindness and to progress beyond irreparable errors. Many individuals seek to evade their true selves through misguided methods.

Lessons from Every City  #96

Mohawk, MI---Upon my initial observation of the largest measuring stick positioned alongside the road, which indicated the annual snowfall, I was taken aback. How could anyone possibly endure such conditions? Over 30 feet of snow in a single year? The only way to truly understand this phenomenon is to experience it firsthand, enabling one to provide guidance on how to navigate such circumstances.

I was on my way to a cold plunge at a Finish sauna, which is a practice to primarily reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after exercise, improve recovery time, boost mood, manage stress, and potentially enhance cognitive function, with the physiological mechanism being the constriction and subsequent dilation of blood vessels when exposed to cold water. It is by no means a fun experience, but quite rewarding.

There's a strong association between discomfort and benefit. As psychologist, Diana Hill finds in her Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, she provides a few examples

-Saying no to people, projects, and activities when your plate is full

-Resolving a conflict with a family member

-Listening with an open mind to someone who has a different political view than yours

-Waking up early to move your body, even when you are exhausted and it’s dark outside

-Completing a challenging workout, race, or other physical task

-Visiting a loved one in the hospital

-Staying at an event when you feel socially anxious

-Turning down a drink, food, or other substance at a social event when you know you have had enough

-Traveling with young kids

-Asking for time off from work to care for your mental health

For those that live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, embracing the toughest conditions, there' must be a great reward doing so.

Lessons from Every City  #95

Theresa, WI---Once you experience a dose of working hard, you'd feel like you're cheating the system if you don't. It is reasonable to assume that quotations regarding the significance of HARD WORK are prevalent, as such effort is indeed crucial for realizing the life one aspires to achieve.

There are those that have to work hard and others that want to work hard. However, a commonality among them is that diligent work satisfies our needs.

I have encountered numerous demanding occupations across different sectors, such as logging, lobster fishing, farming, and oil rigging; however, none have been as remarkable as my experience in cheesemaking. The hours were long, fast-paced, backbreaking, and monotonous. Still, it made me appreciate the value of hard work, so difficult that those that work in the factory are hard to replace.

And, yes, I do recognize those tough jobs out there that don't require physical exertion. Keep working hard out there!

 

Lessons from Every City  #94

Indianapolis, IN---Regardless of whether you are a consumer acquiring goods, a partner in a relationship, a job applicant, or an athlete facing competitors, the choices made by others ultimately determine your results.

You may have poured your heart out in pursuit of positive results, yet there are instances, often numerous, where you may not succeed. This experience can feel akin to reaching an impasse. While this may indeed be true, it is also important to recognize that failure can reveal numerous alternative paths that you might not have explored otherwise.

When I was pursuing jobs, my direction was dependent on a yes or no. When I pursued publishing books, my direction was dependent on a yes or no. When I was approached by television production companies, again my direction was dependent on a yes or no.  

In Indianapolis, I served as a pit-crew member for Panther Racing. I dedicated myself to enhancing my performance in order to secure an official position within the team. Through exceptional guidance from my coach, I was able to reduce my times from 12 seconds to 5 seconds, which ultimately led to my being offered the role. This case and many others in my life, helped me understand that my fate was often designed by others, but I never felt there's was a dead-end road, only alternative path to get to where you're supposed to be.