The Point You Want to Say Uncle...
Is when the real party gets underway. Stick around.
A question for your day.
Are you living your personal legend?
What’s with the greeting? No pleasantries? No, hope your summer is going well?
Nope.
Today I thought it’d be fun to start things off with a somewhat serious question…about your life.
I always say… personal legend talk pairs well with coffee, so if you’re reading this in the morning ~ buenos días, time to reflect on your life.
And, if you’re my people, you recognize personal legend from the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
For those unfamiliar with the book, I’ve asked my staff at Perplexity to explain:
In The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a Personal Legend is defined as the unique mission or purpose that each person is born to fulfill—the thing they most deeply desire and that brings them true happiness and fulfillment.
Another key fact:
Ultimately, the pursuit of one’s Personal Legend is what gives life meaning and satisfaction, and to ignore it is to risk regret and a lack of fulfillment.
So, you can see that one’s Personal Legend is indeed serious business.
In The Alchemist, the main character is a young shepherd named Santiago who first sets out to find a treasure buried at the pyramids in Egypt. Plot twist, early in the book, Santiago meets a man named Melchizedek, who says he’s the King of Salem and tells him about the concept of a personal legend.
Santiago, being a savvy shepherd, recognizes that when a man with a name like Melchizedek talks, you should listen. So, he goes on a journey in pursuit of his personal legend.
However, no journey is complete without hiccups.
There’s a catch, of course, which The Alchemist explains to Santiago:
“What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way.
It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream.
That's the point at which most people give up.
It's the point at which, as we say in the language of the desert, one dies of thirst just when the palm trees have appeared on the horizon.'
Every search begins with beginner’s luck.
And every search ends with the victor being severely tested.”
When many of us get to that testing point, we think, “Pfft. This is way too hard. Surely it’s not meant for me. I’m out.”
And then we give up.
If you watched the U.S. Open this past weekend, perhaps this story sounds familiar.
The winner, J.J. Spaun, wowed crowds with his amazing finish ~ he started the round with five bogeys and came back after a rain delay to shoot a series of birdies and get his momentum back.
Then, with an epic 64-foot putt, J.J. went on to win it all.
The bigger story is that just last year, J.J. almost walked away from his golf career.
J.J. was not playing well, had some health issues, and was worried he might lose his PGA Tour card.
He thought to himself, “It’s not the end of the world if this is how this ends for me.”
But then he watched the movie Wimbledon and got inspired to make his own comeback story.
So, J.J. shifted his mindset.
And things began to change.
And wouldn’t you know it, The Alchemist and J.J. Spaun’s perseverance, lead nicely to What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week:
We’ve all got dreams that light us up and make us feel alive.
Those dreams make us unique.
They are the things that we know we’re meant to do.
And we can think about those dreams.
Talk about those dreams.
Or we can pursue those dreams.
Relentlessly.
Even if we face obstacle after obstacle.
Even if easier ways out are presented to us.
Even if it feels like your brother has you in a headlock and you just want to say it…
(that magic word)
UNCLE….
Do. Not. Say. It.
Because I’ll tell you what.
That dream might be just around the corner.
Just a putt away.
But you’ll never know if you leave the party early.
Big or small, it’s time to pursue the things you know you’re meant to do.
Go get’em.
But first, I’ve got a lineup of links & tips for a happy, healthy week ahead.
A timeline for your mission on earth! (That one’s towards the end.)
Medical proof that coffee is okay (and in fact good for you)
Summer travel trends
A new ad campaign that my 80s pals will love
And… (say it with me) So Much More.
Enjoy!
This kale salad is not only delicious, it’s good for our skin. The same goes for this anti-aging flax smoothie and this probiotic-rich chia pudding.
You can also eat one of these 12 foods for great summer skin, drink this green drink for glowing skin, find out what Pick Up Limes says about healthy skin, and, not to be a downer, but here are the 8 worst foods for skin.
If you’re like me and are rethinking your boozy ways in favor of healthier options, consider functional bevs like Shrooms, Bero, and Protein Java ~ oh, my. Zero Proof is real, and they’re popping up everywhere. Here are 18 options to sip on.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m never giving up my coffee. Science supports my habit as more and more studies confirm that coffee is good for you. Like, really good. Find out the details in this article by Kelle Walsh for Super Age, or see the excerpt below with the best time to drink your java:
When To Drink Coffee for Longevity
According to Dr. Michael Roizen, Founding Chief Wellness Officer of the Cleveland Clinic and Super Age advisor, “Up to four cups of black coffee a day keeps the doctor away much longer than an apple.”
Drink your coffee in the morning: The best time to drink coffee for health benefits is in the morning, specifically between 4:00 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.
Men & Women: 2 to 4 cups of filtered black coffee daily
Drink it black, without added sugar or creamers
Brew through a paper filter (or a Keurig pod) to avoid LDL-raising oils~Taken from “Is Coffee A Longevity Beverage?” by Kelle Wash in Super Age
Speaking of protecting your skin, please don’t forget to use a clean SPF such as Sky and Sol Co (“so clean you could eat it”) or one of the many clean options I found on an Amazon search. (I recently bought and love COOLA.)
Also, what about UPF clothing and headwear? The lowdown on what to buy in UPF clothing and hats, plus a personal headwear endorsement for my golfing pals. Check out Wallaroo Hat Company, and specifically, their Carkella line. You guys - these hats are amazing - they offer 50+ UPF protection, plus (and this is the coolest part) they come with a magnetic strip where you can attach your ball marker. Genius!
Not sure if you've noticed, but getting good medical care these days is like finding a parking spot at Macy’s on Christmas Eve. (Es imposible.) So when you do finally find yourself face-to-face with a doctor, it’s important to ask the right questions and be your own advocate. (Because chances are you’ve got like six seconds of airtime.)
Want to live a good, long life? Then follow this doc’s advice.
What are the business trends no one is talking about? Here are five to know.
Mindset shifts that can help in business and life - thanks, Mel Robbins.
And, manifesting isn’t just a bunch of hoo-ha, and here’s a neuroscientist to tell us why.
Summer travel trends according to the Today Show.
Going on a golf trip? If you need a golf travel bag, here are three of the best.
Random, but fun. Check out these unique restrooms found around the world.
My friend Courtney of Real Food Traveler clued me in on Aly Smalls’ travel info. Check this out if you want to stay on the good side of TSA next time you fly.
Feeling nostalgic and thinking about my trip to San Sebastián and Pamplona, Spain last summer. Great spots if you’re headed to Spain.
And, after volunteering for the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, I’m now thinking ahead to the Solheim Cup next year in the Netherlands - looking into being a volunteer there. In the meantime, if you’ve traveled to the Netherlands, do you have any travel tips?
If you’re looking for a way to see the world and not spend a lot of money, conside