so a general told me this I think what he was trying to get at was
I think what he was trying to get at was
I think what he was trying to get at was everything that makes a great leader is
everything that makes a great leader is
everything that makes a great leader is accessible it’s not a secret it’s just
accessible it’s not a secret it’s just
accessible it’s not a secret it’s just hard and it’s hard in the way that you
hard and it’s hard in the way that you
hard and it’s hard in the way that you have to apply it you got to do it every
have to apply it you got to do it every
have to apply it you got to do it every day and you have to do it consistently
day and you have to do it consistently
day and you have to do it consistently and that’s hard to do when life is
and that’s hard to do when life is
and that’s hard to do when life is difficult and this is us is on and you
difficult and this is us is on and you
difficult and this is us is on and you want to binge watch these things and so
want to binge watch these things and so
want to binge watch these things and so for me and that’s all this is gonna be
for me and that’s all this is gonna be
for me and that’s all this is gonna be it’s gonna be a perspective it’s not
it’s gonna be a perspective it’s not
it’s gonna be a perspective it’s not going to be this person the perspective
going to be this person the perspective
going to be this person the perspective this is the hidden in plain sight secret
this is the hidden in plain sight secret
this is the hidden in plain sight secret that I always know I sometimes
that I always know I sometimes
that I always know I sometimes acknowledge and sadly most oftenly I
acknowledge and sadly most oftenly I
acknowledge and sadly most oftenly I willfully ignore so what do I want to do
willfully ignore so what do I want to do
willfully ignore so what do I want to do today is I I don’t want to focus
today is I I don’t want to focus
today is I I don’t want to focus necessarily on breakthroughs because as
necessarily on breakthroughs because as
necessarily on breakthroughs because as James clear says everybody knows is
James clear says everybody knows is
James clear says everybody knows is different than everybody does I think if
different than everybody does I think if
different than everybody does I think if you you chase breakthroughs it’s a
you you chase breakthroughs it’s a
you you chase breakthroughs it’s a little foolish even if it’s well-meaning
little foolish even if it’s well-meaning
little foolish even if it’s well-meaning because that’s not where real progress
because that’s not where real progress
because that’s not where real progress lies instead I want to focus on
lies instead I want to focus on
lies instead I want to focus on understanding our understanding don’t
understanding our understanding don’t
understanding our understanding don’t worry I’m not going to get all meta and
worry I’m not going to get all meta and
worry I’m not going to get all meta and philosophical what I’m trying to get at
philosophical what I’m trying to get at
philosophical what I’m trying to get at is there is our mindset and how we get
is there is our mindset and how we get
is there is our mindset and how we get in our own way there are more productive
in our own way there are more productive
in our own way there are more productive mindsets that can lessen our drag the
mindsets that can lessen our drag the
mindsets that can lessen our drag the possibilities that these can create and
possibilities that these can create and
possibilities that these can create and then what really matters is what we do
then what really matters is what we do
then what really matters is what we do with all this stuff because the use of
with all this stuff because the use of
with all this stuff because the use of use doesn’t matter if we don’t do
use doesn’t matter if we don’t do
use doesn’t matter if we don’t do something with it and so when I heard
something with it and so when I heard
something with it and so when I heard breakthrough what that implies to me is
breakthrough what that implies to me is
breakthrough what that implies to me is how we see the world and then how we
how we see the world and then how we
how we see the world and then how we wrestle with what we make of that and so
wrestle with what we make of that and so
wrestle with what we make of that and so this is how I see the world there’s
this is how I see the world there’s
this is how I see the world there’s three things that I think there’s what
three things that I think there’s what
three things that I think there’s what we know we know there’s what we know we
we know we know there’s what we know we
we know we know there’s what we know we don’t know and there’s what we don’t
don’t know and there’s what we don’t
don’t know and there’s what we don’t know we don’t know and I realize that
know we don’t know and I realize that
know we don’t know and I realize that sounds like a bad Donald Rumsfeld press
sounds like a bad Donald Rumsfeld press
sounds like a bad Donald Rumsfeld press conference so I’ll flush this out a
conference so I’ll flush this out a
conference so I’ll flush this out a little bit when I was studying in
little bit when I was studying in
little bit when I was studying in England I didn’t know this there is a
England I didn’t know this there is a
England I didn’t know this there is a there’s not a universal Day for Mother’s
there’s not a universal Day for Mother’s
there’s not a universal Day for Mother’s Day so I came back and I surprised my
Day so I came back and I surprised my
Day so I came back and I surprised my mom yes I’m a great son also she’s a
mom yes I’m a great son also she’s a
mom yes I’m a great son also she’s a super hard worker so she was actually
super hard worker so she was actually
super hard worker so she was actually working two jobs and she was like hey
working two jobs and she was like hey
working two jobs and she was like hey you can go with your friends it just
you can go with your friends it just
you can go with your friends it just happened that it lined up with our
happened that it lined up with our
happened that it lined up with our Spring Break and she was like cuz I
Spring Break and she was like cuz I
Spring Break and she was like cuz I won’t really see you while we’re here
won’t really see you while we’re here
won’t really see you while we’re here anyways I was like well that’s awesome
anyways I was like well that’s awesome
anyways I was like well that’s awesome so I hopped in a car I went to Panama
so I hopped in a car I went to Panama
so I hopped in a car I went to Panama City Beach and as you guys know Panama
City Beach and as you guys know Panama
City Beach and as you guys know Panama City Beach very upstanding nice place
City Beach very upstanding nice place
City Beach very upstanding nice place you just go golf and you hang out sadly
you just go golf and you hang out sadly
you just go golf and you hang out sadly when I was outside one day
when I was outside one day
when I was outside one day I saw a girl get punched in the face so
I saw a girl get punched in the face so
I saw a girl get punched in the face so I knew that I knew this got punched in
I knew that I knew this got punched in
I knew that I knew this got punched in the face and that was incredibly
the face and that was incredibly
the face and that was incredibly unfortunate and being the type of person
unfortunate and being the type of person
unfortunate and being the type of person that I am I stick my nose in other
that I am I stick my nose in other
that I am I stick my nose in other people’s business I knew I did not know
people’s business I knew I did not know
people’s business I knew I did not know why so I went to try to figure out why
why so I went to try to figure out why
why so I went to try to figure out why what I didn’t know I didn’t know at that
what I didn’t know I didn’t know at that
what I didn’t know I didn’t know at that time is they happen to be gang
time is they happen to be gang
time is they happen to be gang affiliated and I was intruding upon
affiliated and I was intruding upon
affiliated and I was intruding upon their talk so yeah that happened I woke
their talk so yeah that happened I woke
their talk so yeah that happened I woke up in a hospital I got pistol-whipped
up in a hospital I got pistol-whipped
up in a hospital I got pistol-whipped it’s not as bad as it seems because as
it’s not as bad as it seems because as
it’s not as bad as it seems because as you can tell my mother’s dental
you can tell my mother’s dental
you can tell my mother’s dental investment did not get tarnished and I’m
investment did not get tarnished and I’m
investment did not get tarnished and I’m fine now as you if you haven’t figured
fine now as you if you haven’t figured
fine now as you if you haven’t figured out now I am irreverent in flippant and
out now I am irreverent in flippant and
out now I am irreverent in flippant and I don’t want the lacks in which I convey
I don’t want the lacks in which I convey
I don’t want the lacks in which I convey this misfortune to take away from the
this misfortune to take away from the
this misfortune to take away from the seriousness of what I think what we
seriousness of what I think what we
seriousness of what I think what we don’t know we don’t don’t know implies
don’t know we don’t don’t know implies
don’t know we don’t don’t know implies because represented as a graph what we
because represented as a graph what we
because represented as a graph what we don’t know we don’t know is the graph we
don’t know we don’t know is the graph we
don’t know we don’t know is the graph we can have these realities of what we
can have these realities of what we
can have these realities of what we think we know and what we believe we
think we know and what we believe we
think we know and what we believe we don’t know they are indiscernible
don’t know they are indiscernible
don’t know they are indiscernible against the magnitude of uncertainty in
against the magnitude of uncertainty in
against the magnitude of uncertainty in the world and if there is such thing as
the world and if there is such thing as
the world and if there is such thing as a breakthrough it swims in that and I
a breakthrough it swims in that and I
a breakthrough it swims in that and I didn’t come up with this there are much
didn’t come up with this there are much
didn’t come up with this there are much smarter people than me that understand
smarter people than me that understand
smarter people than me that understand this socrates talked all about the fact
this socrates talked all about the fact
this socrates talked all about the fact that he was smart because he didn’t know
that he was smart because he didn’t know
that he was smart because he didn’t know I don’t know he got hung for it and
I don’t know he got hung for it and
I don’t know he got hung for it and killed so I don’t know how that worked
killed so I don’t know how that worked
killed so I don’t know how that worked out for him and John Keats is an amazing
out for him and John Keats is an amazing
out for him and John Keats is an amazing novelist that talked about negative
novelist that talked about negative
novelist that talked about negative capability and really that’s a fancy way
capability and really that’s a fancy way
capability and really that’s a fancy way of saying hey just be alright with not
of saying hey just be alright with not
of saying hey just be alright with not knowing that’s all you needed to say man
knowing that’s all you needed to say man
knowing that’s all you needed to say man I didn’t read need to read 200 pages for
I didn’t read need to read 200 pages for
I didn’t read need to read 200 pages for that what I think they’re trying to get
that what I think they’re trying to get
that what I think they’re trying to get at is that we have to be comfortable in
at is that we have to be comfortable in
at is that we have to be comfortable in our ignorance and be compelled by that
our ignorance and be compelled by that
our ignorance and be compelled by that and eager to go find out more and if we
and eager to go find out more and if we
and eager to go find out more and if we do that we’ll be humbly surprised that
do that we’ll be humbly surprised that
do that we’ll be humbly surprised that there is no just one breakthrough moment
there is no just one breakthrough moment
there is no just one breakthrough moment it’s a fallacy you’re going to be
it’s a fallacy you’re going to be
it’s a fallacy you’re going to be chasing after smoke what I think we’re
chasing after smoke what I think we’re
chasing after smoke what I think we’re going to find is that there’s just
going to find is that there’s just
going to find is that there’s just learning and there’s tomorrow and
learning and there’s tomorrow and
learning and there’s tomorrow and there’s tomorrow until there is no more
there’s tomorrow until there is no more
there’s tomorrow until there is no more tomorrow so if we can do that I think
tomorrow so if we can do that I think
tomorrow so if we can do that I think you can open yourself up to a
you can open yourself up to a
you can open yourself up to a breakthrough moment the problem for me
breakthrough moment the problem for me
breakthrough moment the problem for me was I had to get out of my own way and
was I had to get out of my own way and
was I had to get out of my own way and so I had to let go of some assumptions
so I had to let go of some assumptions
so I had to let go of some assumptions Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter it’s
Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter it’s
Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter it’s my favorite book about assumptions and I
my favorite book about assumptions and I
my favorite book about assumptions and I didn’t have the emotional maturity when
didn’t have the emotional maturity when
didn’t have the emotional maturity when I was a kid and I read this and I was
I was a kid and I read this and I was
I was a kid and I read this and I was forced to read it I like reading now I’m
forced to read it I like reading now I’m
forced to read it I like reading now I’m sorry all teachers here you guys
sorry all teachers here you guys
sorry all teachers here you guys amazing to realize how applicable this
amazing to realize how applicable this
amazing to realize how applicable this was to my life so this is my mom yes the
was to my life so this is my mom yes the
was to my life so this is my mom yes the 80s was the dark time for hair also I
80s was the dark time for hair also I
80s was the dark time for hair also I was not an attentive baby as you can
was not an attentive baby as you can
was not an attentive baby as you can tell I was not paying attention she’s a
tell I was not paying attention she’s a
tell I was not paying attention she’s a beautiful lady and she is just as
beautiful lady and she is just as
beautiful lady and she is just as irreverent as I am as you can see I was
irreverent as I am as you can see I was
irreverent as I am as you can see I was not 21 in this picture so she condones
not 21 in this picture so she condones
not 21 in this picture so she condones underage drinking also I’m just mean so
underage drinking also I’m just mean so
underage drinking also I’m just mean so that’s why this picture is up I adore my
that’s why this picture is up I adore my
that’s why this picture is up I adore my mother she raised me on her own after my
mother she raised me on her own after my
mother she raised me on her own after my father left the picture due to a dick
father left the picture due to a dick
father left the picture due to a dick what is pretty hard for this particular
what is pretty hard for this particular
what is pretty hard for this particular crowd maybe to understand is that where
crowd maybe to understand is that where
crowd maybe to understand is that where I grew up the assumptions of traditional
I grew up the assumptions of traditional
I grew up the assumptions of traditional male-female models are both prevalent
male-female models are both prevalent
male-female models are both prevalent and highly persuasive
and highly persuasive
and highly persuasive so that pillar in my life never let me
so that pillar in my life never let me
so that pillar in my life never let me see the effect that Scarlet Letter
see the effect that Scarlet Letter
see the effect that Scarlet Letter assumptions placed on her had on her and
assumptions placed on her had on her and
assumptions placed on her had on her and for me none of that made sense because
for me none of that made sense because
for me none of that made sense because my superhero was far too fast for any
my superhero was far too fast for any
my superhero was far too fast for any assumptions to catch up to her because
assumptions to catch up to her because
assumptions to catch up to her because when you work two jobs and you’re still
when you work two jobs and you’re still
when you work two jobs and you’re still the head of the PTO and you hate the PTO
the head of the PTO and you hate the PTO
the head of the PTO and you hate the PTO because you think it’s a valley girl
because you think it’s a valley girl
because you think it’s a valley girl construct you can’t be caught nothing
construct you can’t be caught nothing
construct you can’t be caught nothing can be tarnished
can be tarnished
can be tarnished sadly we’d like to think these things
sadly we’d like to think these things
sadly we’d like to think these things are true and that’s just not the
are true and that’s just not the
are true and that’s just not the hallmark reality the reality is that
hallmark reality the reality is that
hallmark reality the reality is that generalities they’re efficient they’re
generalities they’re efficient they’re
generalities they’re efficient they’re easy we only have so much time to invest
easy we only have so much time to invest
easy we only have so much time to invest we only have so much energy and so what
we only have so much energy and so what
we only have so much energy and so what we do is we mistake the map is the
we do is we mistake the map is the
we do is we mistake the map is the territory and a more youthful example
territory and a more youthful example
territory and a more youthful example for that is that they’re tender picture
for that is that they’re tender picture
for that is that they’re tender picture is not them there’s a couple head nods
is not them there’s a couple head nods
is not them there’s a couple head nods over there I understand tenders a dating
over there I understand tenders a dating
over there I understand tenders a dating app I guess it’s not going very well for
app I guess it’s not going very well for
app I guess it’s not going very well for some people and what I don’t think I’ll
some people and what I don’t think I’ll
some people and what I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand is what my mom had
ever fully understand is what my mom had
ever fully understand is what my mom had to go through and how she for other
to go through and how she for other
to go through and how she for other people represented this map this idea of
people represented this map this idea of
people represented this map this idea of a Scarlet Letter single mother when she
a Scarlet Letter single mother when she
a Scarlet Letter single mother when she wasn’t she was just an example of a
wasn’t she was just an example of a
wasn’t she was just an example of a resilient individual who wrote raised a
resilient individual who wrote raised a
resilient individual who wrote raised a son like millions of other mothers and
son like millions of other mothers and
son like millions of other mothers and fathers do in the aftermath of addiction
fathers do in the aftermath of addiction
fathers do in the aftermath of addiction the unfortunate thing is in order to get
the unfortunate thing is in order to get
the unfortunate thing is in order to get to that level of understanding
to that level of understanding
to that level of understanding you can’t project your maps onto people
you can’t project your maps onto people
you can’t project your maps onto people and so the individuals that did not do
and so the individuals that did not do
and so the individuals that did not do this they didn’t want to take the time
this they didn’t want to take the time
this they didn’t want to take the time to get specific and access and to invest
to get specific and access and to invest
to get specific and access and to invest so instead my mom had to deal with these
so instead my mom had to deal with these
so instead my mom had to deal with these things and she had to deal with these
things and she had to deal with these
things and she had to deal with these things on her own and that’s the scary
things on her own and that’s the scary
things on her own and that’s the scary thing about assumptions they’re
thing about assumptions they’re
thing about assumptions they’re cancerous to creativity they can lull us
cancerous to creativity they can lull us
cancerous to creativity they can lull us into believing either you are this or
into believing either you are this or
into believing either you are this or you are not that they fabricate binaries
you are not that they fabricate binaries
you are not that they fabricate binaries where there are none and so if we can
where there are none and so if we can
where there are none and so if we can get out of our own way and we can be
get out of our own way and we can be
get out of our own way and we can be that much more creative I think we can
that much more creative I think we can
that much more creative I think we can prime ourselves to breakthroughs and we
prime ourselves to breakthroughs and we
prime ourselves to breakthroughs and we can avoid the pitfalls of this thinking
can avoid the pitfalls of this thinking
can avoid the pitfalls of this thinking in order to do that though you have to
in order to do that though you have to
in order to do that though you have to have a particular mindset when I got to
have a particular mindset when I got to
have a particular mindset when I got to iwu Deborah Halperin the director of the
iwu Deborah Halperin the director of the
iwu Deborah Halperin the director of the action research center took me under her
action research center took me under her
action research center took me under her wing and like all amazing coaches and
wing and like all amazing coaches and
wing and like all amazing coaches and trainers she changed how I saw the world
trainers she changed how I saw the world
trainers she changed how I saw the world how he interacted with the world and
how he interacted with the world and
how he interacted with the world and what I asked the world needed of me she
what I asked the world needed of me she
what I asked the world needed of me she was also incredibly humble and she
was also incredibly humble and she
was also incredibly humble and she opened me up to her house and to her
opened me up to her house and to her
opened me up to her house and to her family her three amazing kids and her
family her three amazing kids and her
family her three amazing kids and her phenomenal husband she also has a very
phenomenal husband she also has a very
phenomenal husband she also has a very well stocked kitchen and so Deb like
well stocked kitchen and so Deb like
well stocked kitchen and so Deb like momma Dee was and couldn’t see problems
momma Dee was and couldn’t see problems
momma Dee was and couldn’t see problems because not because they weren’t there
because not because they weren’t there
because not because they weren’t there and she was oblivious to them just
and she was oblivious to them just
and she was oblivious to them just because when you live those realities of
because when you live those realities of
because when you live those realities of adverse circumstances you don’t have
adverse circumstances you don’t have
adverse circumstances you don’t have time to see the world in terms of
time to see the world in terms of
time to see the world in terms of deficiencies you see the world in terms
deficiencies you see the world in terms
deficiencies you see the world in terms of assets and because my mom worked so
of assets and because my mom worked so
of assets and because my mom worked so hard I have to remind myself of this and
hard I have to remind myself of this and
hard I have to remind myself of this and one way that I do this this is a
one way that I do this this is a
one way that I do this this is a painting by Saul Steinberg is I reject
painting by Saul Steinberg is I reject
painting by Saul Steinberg is I reject the word but all I ask of you is over
the word but all I ask of you is over
the word but all I ask of you is over the next week all you do is acknowledge
the next week all you do is acknowledge
the next week all you do is acknowledge when anybody says but you just make a
when anybody says but you just make a
when anybody says but you just make a note of it because what I think you’re
note of it because what I think you’re
note of it because what I think you’re going to find is it’s the socially
going to find is it’s the socially
going to find is it’s the socially acceptable way we have figured out to
acceptable way we have figured out to
acceptable way we have figured out to say screw you you say yes which is an
say screw you you say yes which is an
say screw you you say yes which is an honorable appeasement it’s like yeah I
honorable appeasement it’s like yeah I
honorable appeasement it’s like yeah I agree with you and then everything that
agree with you and then everything that
agree with you and then everything that follows but everything latter is no I
follows but everything latter is no I
follows but everything latter is no I don’t agree with you and I was just
don’t agree with you and I was just
don’t agree with you and I was just trying to be nice and I the reason that
trying to be nice and I the reason that
trying to be nice and I the reason that I reject this yesBut paradigm is because
I reject this yesBut paradigm is because
I reject this yesBut paradigm is because that’s what it does it lulls you into a
that’s what it does it lulls you into a
that’s what it does it lulls you into a false sense of complacency and thinking
false sense of complacency and thinking
false sense of complacency and thinking either you are this or you are not this
either you are this or you are not this
either you are this or you are not this when that’s not a real thing
when that’s not a real thing
when that’s not a real thing it takes me and it puts my expectations
it takes me and it puts my expectations
it takes me and it puts my expectations in front of my appreciation and if I
in front of my appreciation and if I
in front of my appreciation and if I ever want to have a breakthrough moment
ever want to have a breakthrough moment
ever want to have a breakthrough moment I’m never going to get there doing that
I’m never going to get there doing that
I’m never going to get there doing that and if I were to allow that to happen
and if I were to allow that to happen
and if I were to allow that to happen and not been appreciate Ori then I would
and not been appreciate Ori then I would
and not been appreciate Ori then I would have taken the sense of entitlement that
have taken the sense of entitlement that
have taken the sense of entitlement that sadly some students can get at a place
sadly some students can get at a place
sadly some students can get at a place like Illinois was
like Illinois was
like Illinois was and I would have missed out on the value
and I would have missed out on the value
and I would have missed out on the value that we could have done in rural Uganda
that we could have done in rural Uganda
that we could have done in rural Uganda when we were doing microfinance luckily
when we were doing microfinance luckily
when we were doing microfinance luckily we did not miss that value we led with
we did not miss that value we led with
we did not miss that value we led with appreciation rather than expectation in
appreciation rather than expectation in
appreciation rather than expectation in the village is the one that came up with
the village is the one that came up with
the village is the one that came up with it and we just took all the credit
it and we just took all the credit
it and we just took all the credit you can laugh there we actually didn’t
you can laugh there we actually didn’t
you can laugh there we actually didn’t take all the credit we were very nice I
take all the credit we were very nice I
take all the credit we were very nice I didn’t fight these kids either it’s when
didn’t fight these kids either it’s when
didn’t fight these kids either it’s when you will lead with appreciation rather
you will lead with appreciation rather
you will lead with appreciation rather than expectation that we’re allowed to
than expectation that we’re allowed to
than expectation that we’re allowed to take their idea and their idea still
take their idea and their idea still
take their idea and their idea still stands today so that they take they came
stands today so that they take they came
stands today so that they take they came together as a tillage a–‘s and they
together as a tillage a–‘s and they
together as a tillage a–‘s and they take a little bit of that capital they
take a little bit of that capital they
take a little bit of that capital they raise after every fall when they sell
raise after every fall when they sell
raise after every fall when they sell their crops and they pull together into
their crops and they pull together into
their crops and they pull together into a credit cooperative and it’s with that
a credit cooperative and it’s with that
a credit cooperative and it’s with that credit cooperative that they fund two
credit cooperative that they fund two
credit cooperative that they fund two new ventures with in all these other
new ventures with in all these other
new ventures with in all these other villages we if we got in our own way
villages we if we got in our own way
villages we if we got in our own way would have missed this and we would have
would have missed this and we would have
would have missed this and we would have told them rather than them telling us
told them rather than them telling us
told them rather than them telling us and I think that’s what happens when you
and I think that’s what happens when you
and I think that’s what happens when you prime yourself to be open and
prime yourself to be open and
prime yourself to be open and appreciative and be more interested
appreciative and be more interested
appreciative and be more interested rather than interesting which is hard
rather than interesting which is hard
rather than interesting which is hard for a person like me with a huge ego
for a person like me with a huge ego
for a person like me with a huge ego that wants to tell you all these facts
that wants to tell you all these facts
that wants to tell you all these facts that I know and these quotes that I
that I know and these quotes that I
that I know and these quotes that I memorize then I think you open yourself
memorize then I think you open yourself
memorize then I think you open yourself up to possibilities to these
up to possibilities to these
up to possibilities to these breakthrough moments ones like this
breakthrough moments ones like this
breakthrough moments ones like this where a kid from a non-religious
where a kid from a non-religious
where a kid from a non-religious background who associates himself as
background who associates himself as
background who associates himself as agnostic can go with some of his best
agnostic can go with some of his best
agnostic can go with some of his best friends who are evangelical on a mission
friends who are evangelical on a mission
friends who are evangelical on a mission trip down to Kingston Jamaica and he can
trip down to Kingston Jamaica and he can
trip down to Kingston Jamaica and he can meet this beautiful woman at the
meet this beautiful woman at the
meet this beautiful woman at the Salvation Army and she had just suffered
Salvation Army and she had just suffered
Salvation Army and she had just suffered a stroke so she had just gone blind and
a stroke so she had just gone blind and
a stroke so she had just gone blind and the right side of her body was paralyzed
the right side of her body was paralyzed
the right side of her body was paralyzed and so I sitting next to her and if I
and so I sitting next to her and if I
and so I sitting next to her and if I would have been it expecting rather than
would have been it expecting rather than
would have been it expecting rather than appreciative or I try to be more
appreciative or I try to be more
appreciative or I try to be more interesting to her rather than
interesting to her rather than
interesting to her rather than interested I would have gotten in my own
interested I would have gotten in my own
interested I would have gotten in my own way because all she wanted to do because
way because all she wanted to do because
way because all she wanted to do because how she was seeing the world now was
how she was seeing the world now was
how she was seeing the world now was through everything that was otto and she
through everything that was otto and she
through everything that was otto and she just wanted a clap she just wanted to
just wanted a clap she just wanted to
just wanted a clap she just wanted to appreciate and so because I didn’t get
appreciate and so because I didn’t get
appreciate and so because I didn’t get in my own way in this one instance I got
in my own way in this one instance I got
in my own way in this one instance I got to be a part of this moment and so what
to be a part of this moment and so what
to be a part of this moment and so what I think this this shows us is that if we
I think this this shows us is that if we
I think this this shows us is that if we can get out of our own way and then we
can get out of our own way and then we
can get out of our own way and then we can have this particular mindset then we
can have this particular mindset then we
can have this particular mindset then we can get past the monotony of small
can get past the monotony of small
can get past the monotony of small mindedness and foolish consistency and
mindedness and foolish consistency and
mindedness and foolish consistency and that’s hard because there’s always going
that’s hard because there’s always going
that’s hard because there’s always going to be a least restrictive path that has
to be a least restrictive path that has
to be a least restrictive path that has more immediate gratification and so
more immediate gratification and so
more immediate gratification and so that’s where choice comes in
that’s where choice comes in
that’s where choice comes in Viktor Frankl wrote man search a meaning
Viktor Frankl wrote man search a meaning
Viktor Frankl wrote man search a meaning and it’s what he made of his time in a
and it’s what he made of his time in a
and it’s what he made of his time in a Nazi concentration camp and when I read
Nazi concentration camp and when I read
Nazi concentration camp and when I read this again I did not have the emotional
this again I did not have the emotional
this again I did not have the emotional maturity because I think I had the
maturity because I think I had the
maturity because I think I had the traditional response I it was tragic and
traditional response I it was tragic and
traditional response I it was tragic and I was shocked that we could do this to
I was shocked that we could do this to
I was shocked that we could do this to other people I was amazed of the
other people I was amazed of the
other people I was amazed of the resiliency of the human spirit and what
resiliency of the human spirit and what
resiliency of the human spirit and what it could do in a particular context all
it could do in a particular context all
it could do in a particular context all the while though I kept a comfortable
the while though I kept a comfortable
the while though I kept a comfortable arm’s length distance because he’s
arm’s length distance because he’s
arm’s length distance because he’s putting forth a knowable hard truth here
putting forth a knowable hard truth here
putting forth a knowable hard truth here that we always have a choice and we
that we always have a choice and we
that we always have a choice and we don’t want to face up to that it took my
don’t want to face up to that it took my
don’t want to face up to that it took my best friend Andrew wish her to teach me
best friend Andrew wish her to teach me
best friend Andrew wish her to teach me that so in the spring of my freshman
that so in the spring of my freshman
that so in the spring of my freshman year he was the one in 250,000 of his
year he was the one in 250,000 of his
year he was the one in 250,000 of his age group to contract colon cancer he
age group to contract colon cancer he
age group to contract colon cancer he was always an overachiever that was that
was always an overachiever that was that
was always an overachiever that was that was worth more than the laughs that it
was worth more than the laughs that it
was worth more than the laughs that it got and so Andrew beat it into remission
got and so Andrew beat it into remission
got and so Andrew beat it into remission it came back and he fought it again and
it came back and he fought it again and
it came back and he fought it again and he said the single most badass comment
he said the single most badass comment
he said the single most badass comment I’ve ever heard a human being say in
I’ve ever heard a human being say in
I’ve ever heard a human being say in real life he told a hospice nurse I’m
real life he told a hospice nurse I’m
real life he told a hospice nurse I’m not done fighting the fall of my senior
not done fighting the fall of my senior
not done fighting the fall of my senior year he passed away and his existence
year he passed away and his existence
year he passed away and his existence exemplifies to me that in life it’s the
exemplifies to me that in life it’s the
exemplifies to me that in life it’s the competition not the score cuz death gets
competition not the score cuz death gets
competition not the score cuz death gets us all that’s going to define the
us all that’s going to define the
us all that’s going to define the meaning and so his brother Danny decided
meaning and so his brother Danny decided
meaning and so his brother Danny decided hey I have a choice I’m gonna pass on
hey I have a choice I’m gonna pass on
hey I have a choice I’m gonna pass on the goodwill that was afforded to Andrew
the goodwill that was afforded to Andrew
the goodwill that was afforded to Andrew through his four year about and so this
through his four year about and so this
through his four year about and so this coming April it’s gonna be the five year
coming April it’s gonna be the five year
coming April it’s gonna be the five year anniversary of the Andrew wisher
anniversary of the Andrew wisher
anniversary of the Andrew wisher Foundation’s founding to date it has
Foundation’s founding to date it has
Foundation’s founding to date it has helped 106 families battling cancer on
helped 106 families battling cancer on
helped 106 families battling cancer on the southside of Chicago and in the
the southside of Chicago and in the
the southside of Chicago and in the South Chicagoland area it has gifted
South Chicagoland area it has gifted
South Chicagoland area it has gifted over six hundred and ten thousand
over six hundred and ten thousand
over six hundred and ten thousand dollars and it throws the most badass
dollars and it throws the most badass
dollars and it throws the most badass goodwill party on the southside of
goodwill party on the southside of
goodwill party on the southside of Chicago called wish fest that’s a choice
Chicago called wish fest that’s a choice
Chicago called wish fest that’s a choice and we always have one of those so if we
and we always have one of those so if we
and we always have one of those so if we can get out of our own way and we can
can get out of our own way and we can
can get out of our own way and we can make that choice then something
make that choice then something
make that choice then something beautiful like this can happen
beautiful like this can happen
beautiful like this can happen the difficulty is none of this matters
the difficulty is none of this matters
the difficulty is none of this matters if we don’t do something with it so we
if we don’t do something with it so we
if we don’t do something with it so we have to get into action and I think this
have to get into action and I think this
have to get into action and I think this is what most TED Talks gloss over is the
is what most TED Talks gloss over is the
is what most TED Talks gloss over is the work because it just requires work as
work because it just requires work as
work because it just requires work as Chuck Close says inspiration is for
Chuck Close says inspiration is for
Chuck Close says inspiration is for amateurs the rest of
amateurs the rest of
amateurs the rest of just show up and work and I think it’s
just show up and work and I think it’s
just show up and work and I think it’s the same for breakthroughs because
the same for breakthroughs because
the same for breakthroughs because following Ron Swanson’s whole ass advice
following Ron Swanson’s whole ass advice
following Ron Swanson’s whole ass advice is you have to show up and work because
is you have to show up and work because
is you have to show up and work because if you go chasing applause and acclaim
if you go chasing applause and acclaim
if you go chasing applause and acclaim that way lies madness it’s the same if
that way lies madness it’s the same if
that way lies madness it’s the same if you go chasing a breakthrough so you
you go chasing a breakthrough so you
you go chasing a breakthrough so you have to define your commitments and you
have to define your commitments and you
have to define your commitments and you have to make them so specific and so
have to make them so specific and so
have to make them so specific and so clear that you make it effortless for
clear that you make it effortless for
clear that you make it effortless for other people to help you and then you’ve
other people to help you and then you’ve
other people to help you and then you’ve got to work and then you’ve got to fail
got to work and then you’ve got to fail
got to work and then you’ve got to fail and you have to fail beautifully and
and you have to fail beautifully and
and you have to fail beautifully and then got to redefine failure is learning
then got to redefine failure is learning
then got to redefine failure is learning because then all you’re doing is doing
because then all you’re doing is doing
because then all you’re doing is doing and learning and I think what you’re
and learning and I think what you’re
and learning and I think what you’re going to find is the relativity of it
going to find is the relativity of it
going to find is the relativity of it all sets in because there is no such
all sets in because there is no such
all sets in because there is no such thing as a breakthrough you’re going to
thing as a breakthrough you’re going to
thing as a breakthrough you’re going to reach a plateau and you’ll be like this
reach a plateau and you’ll be like this
reach a plateau and you’ll be like this is it and then you’re gonna be unhappy
is it and then you’re gonna be unhappy
is it and then you’re gonna be unhappy because it’s all relative until you can
because it’s all relative until you can
because it’s all relative until you can just start appreciating because there is
just start appreciating because there is
just start appreciating because there is no one thing as just a breakthrough the
no one thing as just a breakthrough the
no one thing as just a breakthrough the breakthrough there’s just you this is a
breakthrough there’s just you this is a
breakthrough there’s just you this is a terrible color choice mom I have no idea
terrible color choice mom I have no idea
terrible color choice mom I have no idea why you decided that there’s just you
why you decided that there’s just you
why you decided that there’s just you and what you’re open to I drop to none
and what you’re open to I drop to none
and what you’re open to I drop to none of these children there’s just you and
of these children there’s just you and
of these children there’s just you and what you’re open to and what you’re
what you’re open to and what you’re
what you’re open to and what you’re willing to chase I also did not catch
willing to chase I also did not catch
willing to chase I also did not catch these and I watched later how they fight
these and I watched later how they fight
these and I watched later how they fight and I’m very happy I did not catch them
and I’m very happy I did not catch them
and I’m very happy I did not catch them so there’s you there’s what you’re open
so there’s you there’s what you’re open
so there’s you there’s what you’re open to what you’re willing to chase and then
to what you’re willing to chase and then
to what you’re willing to chase and then how you’re willing to lead when others
how you’re willing to lead when others
how you’re willing to lead when others need you definitely got them lost so
need you definitely got them lost so
need you definitely got them lost so there’s you what you’re open to what
there’s you what you’re open to what
there’s you what you’re open to what you’re willing to chase how you’re
you’re willing to chase how you’re
you’re willing to chase how you’re willing to lead when others need you to
willing to lead when others need you to
willing to lead when others need you to and then why you do it if you can’t tell
and then why you do it if you can’t tell
and then why you do it if you can’t tell I have a predilection to lifting out
I have a predilection to lifting out
I have a predilection to lifting out people and throwing them so when it
people and throwing them so when it
people and throwing them so when it comes down to it that’s all there is for
comes down to it that’s all there is for
comes down to it that’s all there is for me and I think there’s more worthwhile
me and I think there’s more worthwhile
me and I think there’s more worthwhile things and unnecessary grudges in life
things and unnecessary grudges in life
things and unnecessary grudges in life so I don’t want to fabricate Forks in
so I don’t want to fabricate Forks in
so I don’t want to fabricate Forks in the road because there’s things that I
the road because there’s things that I
the road because there’s things that I know I know there’s things that I know I
know I know there’s things that I know I
know I know there’s things that I know I don’t know and then there’s a vastness
don’t know and then there’s a vastness
don’t know and then there’s a vastness out there that I don’t know I don’t know
out there that I don’t know I don’t know
out there that I don’t know I don’t know and I think that’s where if there is a
and I think that’s where if there is a
and I think that’s where if there is a breakthrough that’s where it is
breakthrough that’s where it is
breakthrough that’s where it is because I have my assumptions that I try
because I have my assumptions that I try
because I have my assumptions that I try to get out of my own way with I have a
to get out of my own way with I have a
to get out of my own way with I have a particular mindset that I’m so thankful
particular mindset that I’m so thankful
particular mindset that I’m so thankful for these people here and in my hometown
for these people here and in my hometown
for these people here and in my hometown taught me so much as well as around the
taught me so much as well as around the
taught me so much as well as around the world and then we have our choice and
world and then we have our choice and
world and then we have our choice and what we do with all that matters because
what we do with all that matters because
what we do with all that matters because that’s all that matters is what we do
that’s all that matters is what we do
that’s all that matters is what we do with it
with it
with it and at the very least maybe it’ll avoid
and at the very least maybe it’ll avoid
and at the very least maybe it’ll avoid you getting pistol-whipped thank you
you getting pistol-whipped thank you
you getting pistol-whipped thank you very much
”
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