Full Tilt

Riotous Excursions of the Human Spirit

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely…but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and proclaiming, “Wow, what a ride!” –Hunter Thompson

A year ago, while enjoying the beauty of Maui in October, my wife encouraged me to start writing again. To take a simple step. It was the nudge I needed.

I began writing. No expectations. No end goal. No overthinking. Just putting words in sentences to convey feelings, tell stories and make an honest account of experience. In doing so, I hoped I could offer something useful to others.

Five days after my wife’s encouragement, I took a deep breath, hit publish and sent my first newsletter into the ether. Fittingly, I published my first post at 30,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. The journey, quite literally, had begun.

Twelve months later, it is still going. My newsletter has become a productive obsession, an act of joy. (Bigger takeaway: My wife, as usual, was right.) When I write, I am a child again filled with wonder, crayons scattered in front of me, blank canvas beckoning.

This will be my last missive of ’25. In a few days, I’ll power down the laptop as my wife and I travel to the rugged wilds of Patagonia. For a week, we will leave behind the digital world for a fully analog one.

No laptops. No internet. Just hiking poles, a sense of wonder and packs on our backs. Mountains, glaciers, trees and trails. Before I venture into the wild, a few thoughts and heartfelt wishes.

Find Exuberance, Find Adventure

In July, I stood exhilarated, slightly out of breath and filled with joy at 10,000 feet. Around me were the sights and sounds of Camp Muir, a legendary base camp for climbers summitting Mt. Rainier. I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude.

My wife and I, and friends, were guiding a group of women who had survived cancer to the camp, after training together all summer.

That moment in July was a Venn diagram of happiness for me, my brightest moment in a year of bright moments. Adventure, challenge and purpose on a beautiful, rugged mountain. That’s my nirvana.

I can’t ascend Camp Muir every day but, amid the mundanities and friction of life, I try to find exuberance in activities large and small.

The first cup of coffee at 5 a.m. Saying good morning to my wife, the first person I see every day, knowing we have another day together. The sound of a screaming electric guitar played loudly. Reading a well-turned sentence. Spending time with family. Traveling to new places.

I also find exuberance in purpose, in serving others, like the amazing women of Team Survivor and the good work of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. that service is our highest calling.

My wish for all of you as we close one year and start another is to find your Venn diagram, to find exuberance and joy in whatever you do. And to serve others.

Find Good Mischief

Good mischief is laughter, being silly, finding humor in the little things. I can be as serious as anyone, but laughter and silliness are oxygen for me.

My wife and daughter are my house comedians, endlessly making me laugh. I am the court jester, a role I was made to play. Without trying, I supply endless comic material. I am wired to be unintentionally funny.

Good mischief is putting things in perspective and not taking ourselves too seriously. It is making sure to laugh at our own ridiculousness.

Like the night recently when I walked to the local mini mart to buy something for dinner and forgot my wallet. Or the day recently when I left my car lights on at the gym and had to call Triple A. There is humor even in these inconveniences.

I also think of good mischief as stirring things up, with positive intent. The good mischief of rattling the cages of convention. Progress depends on this.

I think of the great civil rights leader John Lewis and his concept of good trouble. Good trouble means courageously driving change for the greater good, upsetting convention when convention does not serve all. It means being ok being misunderstood.

I wish for all of you the joy of good mischief and the good trouble of rattling cages from time to time. Always in service of others.

Coda

“The people I admire stay full speed ahead into the unknown, relentless in their pursuit of life.” –Laird Hamilton

I end ’25 the way I started. Full speed ahead, en route to a rugged wild place. Ready for adventure, eager for good mischief, curious about what I will learn. I’m 70 newsletters into a wondrous journey with all of you, for which I am grateful.

So, thank you, amazing readers, for spending precious time around the campfire with me in ’25. Your interest and engagement are a privilege. I look forward to more moments together in ’26.

My wish for all of you in the new year:

Find exuberance. Find joy in the small things. Find the adventure of your choice. Find purpose in serving others. Find good mischief in rattling cages. Laugh, a lot. Find those riotous excursions of the human spirit. Dare to fail. Dare to tell the story in your soul.

Off to Patagonia. Full speed ahead.