Not Going to Throw Away My Shot
Running Thoughts #83
Hi, I'm Scott, and this is my sometimes weekly newsletter about life, learning, and, occasionally, running.
I'm playing around with the title and format to make this newsletter a little more personal and punctual, but I'm thankful for letting me join you this Thanksgiving week.
What to Expect:
Question of the Week
Running Thought
A Few Things I'm Grateful For
Fun Shares -- Hamilton Songs
Photo of the Week
Question of the Week:
What am I taking for granted?
Running Thought:
I've struggled to write the last several months. Last week, it was time to get back to it. I had time and I was in the right head space to join the twice-weekly writing group that I'd missed or been shamefully avoiding the last few months.
I looked at the clock. It was time. I checked my inbox and…
There was no email. No Zoom link. No bad joke from Cam.
Checking my inbox again — there was nothing!
Life priorities have whittled down our group's numbers this year, but a motley few continued on. Until today.
I'd taken it for granted. I'd taken them for granted.
In the words of Hamilton, I threw away my shot.
Devastated and stunned, I returned to doom-scrolling the internet.
As fortune would have it, Nate sent out a Zoom Link five minutes late that I saw in my inbox several minutes later. When I clicked it, he was there alone, but he was there.
Ironically, we spent the entire time discussing things other than what we were actually writing.
It felt amazing to receive a warm welcome after a too-long absence and connect with someone that inspires me to continue experimenting and showing up.
Grateful for the conversation, the emotional rollercoaster of the morning was a powerful reminder of the things I take for granted.
If I want to progress as a writer or simply demonstrate relationships are important to me, I need to get back to step one:
Show up.
A Few Things I'm Grateful For:
The effort Tiffany and I have put into strengthening our relationship this year. Marriage is hard, even more with a child.
Waking Cadence to get ready for daycare last week, I awkwardly found her in the crib with a shirt and no bottom. Shocked, I'd never been so grateful to be greeted with a wet and ONLY wet baby.
Maintaining my best physical condition since 2018, including remaining nearly 20 pounds lighter since the beginning of February. This is in spite of four months of daycare and unending sickness (daycare is no joke!).
Seeing the Broadway Across America troop performing Hamilton and running into a friend I hadn’t seen in a decade. He and his wife were recently married and expecting their first child. Ironically, I liked a Facebook photo earlier that day (the first time I'd seen one of his posts in ages) and he mentioned it. Just show up. They were big Hamilton fans -- he even did a Hamilton proposal.
My family and friends that continue to be there for me despite my absences this year. That includes all of you reading. I hope to do a better job staying in touch.
What are a few things you're grateful for?
Just for Fun, my favorite Hamilton songs:
Photo of the Week:
Happy Thanksgiving,
Scott
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