Mile Nerd

To The Gym

Let’s be honest.

As we get older, our brains get stagnant. To varying degrees. But if we put all bullshit aside…within seconds, you and I could share examples of how I’ve gotten set in my ways and you’ve gotten set in yours. Right? It’s ok to admit it. We aren’t 100% set in stone with everything. But, naturally, we are very comfortable in many of our perspectives. Thinking habits develop over years. And then decades. You and I have both gotten used to thinking in certain ways.

So, today I’d like to do something a little different…

Typically, the goal here (post-retirement) is the same. I try to write words that will:
(A) Entertain you
or
(B) Emotionally move you in some way

(Hopefully)

I try to bounce between those two from month to month. But not today. The plan is to take our thinking to the gym for a workout. Why? Well, shit. Look around. Have you noticed a society that is losing the ability to disagree? One that is forgetting how to consider different ideas? Essentially, our ability to think is decaying.

Here’s what happens so often now…

1. We hear (or read) a perspective we don’t like.
2. It causes a rigid feeling inside and we tense up.  
3. A wall gets formed before we can even consider the perspective. It never gets in. Fully blocked.

(All of that happens instinctively in a microsecond)

So, today, I’d like to take one specific example that almost everyone is talking about this week. And I want to dissect it from multiple angles. Not because of the specific incident itself. But as an exercise for our brains. I’ll pick a “safe” and “minor” current topic. It’s one that you will probably have an existing opinion/emotion about.

(Note: By “safe” and “minor,” I mean I’ll choose something that has nothing to do with war, politics, etc)

My goal today is to get our mental juices flowing together. Please keep an open mind the best you can and let’s see where we land at the end. We live in a Twitter-speed world now. Bombarded by headlines and hot takes. The problem with lightning speed is that we lose nuance. Which is not a great thing to lose.

Keep in mind, I’m taking this exercise very seriously. I’ll be writing this one much like a newspaper article.

• I spoke to my friends and family to hear their multiple perspectives.
• I spent almost every minute of my free time this week devouring every article I could find.
• I really, really, really dug through social media.
• I binged the most useful book relating to the subject.
• I spoke to people who know the parties involved.
• I heard from someone who was in the room.

Remember, with nuance, more than one thing can be true. It’s not necessary to choose black or white. A or B. I’m going to cover so many angles that there’s a pretty good chance 100% of you will disagree with something below. That’s fine. But consciously notice your wall going up and at least allow your brain to consider everything. Really let things in. Remember, the entire point of this is something beyond the specific incident. We’re trying to use it as a thinking exercise.

Ok, here we go…

A (Very) Deep Dive Breakdown Of The World’s Most Famous Slap

The Obvious
Smacking a man on the very same stage the world is about to celebrate you…is not ideal. Certainly not a great look. Will Smith knows it. That should have been one of the best nights of his life. He muddled it up in a big way. And if he could take the moment back, you can bet the house that he would. Easily the most glaring lowlight of an inspirational career. No real positives about that moment.

The Joke
Yes, the job of a comedian is to push past comfortable day-to-day boundaries. Absolutely. But I spent time trying to imagine any other situation in life where I could get away with publicly mocking a man’s wife about a medical condition that has likely caused her significant heartache. I couldn’t think of one. Try for a minute to think of any other example where you can do that without worrying that there might be a reaction. Again, that’s not saying we should go around slapping each other. It’s a simple question. This is a thought exercise, so how does it hurt to actually think about it? And, no, it’s not reasonable to compare male hair loss to female hair loss. Those are very different things. I tried. I just can’t think of any examples. In literally every situation of my life, if I mock a man’s wife about her medical condition, I am fully aware of cause and effect. That there might be a response.

The Slap
I found many references to a “punch.” Not that one is better or worse, but they are different. There’s no point in this exercise if we’re not specific and clear. That was a slap. I imagine those who consider it a punch haven’t watched many fights. There is a very significant difference. Smith is a trained boxer who could have hospitalized Rock. Likely with ease. Slapping a man in that way (I’ll refrain from using the slang term) is one of the most disrespectful things one male can do to another. Which was the point. Clearly, his intent was to send a message. Not to cause serious injury. And, obviously, there were countless better ways to send that message.

The Show Itself
When exactly did the Oscars move from light-hearted jabs into a roast show? It’s an odd transition. Safe to say that show is not currently a well-oiled machine. I found many references to Ricky Gervais as a host (who, personally, I found hilarious). I understand the point that he was able to “darkly eviscerate” people without getting slapped. It’s not a particularly smart comparison. While Gervais stuck his knife in about hypocritical behavior, dishonesty, and the like…he didn’t mock women over medical conditions. Like it or not, there is a significant difference. I’ve visited many edgy comedy clubs in New York and LA. Spending dozens of nights enjoying absurdly dark material. I have never once seen a woman in the audience mocked over a medical condition. Typically, even with run-of-the-mill physical appearance jokes…men are the ones targeted in the crowd. Rock’s response that he didn’t know about her condition may or may not be true. But it was an unusual joke whether he knew or not.

“It’s Just A Comedian Telling Jokes”
I am all for comedians going out there and smashing our comfortable societal norms to pieces. Comedy is comedy. It is their job. To me, with very few exceptions, funny trumps all. If it gets me laughing, I’m in. Just last month, I was at the infamous Comedy Cellar in New York City and sat in the front row. As expected, I was hazed throughout the evening. One comic went on about Indian food, at one point saying:
“Your food, man. That stuff is like Celine Dion going in and like DMX coming out!”

I laughed as loudly as anyone in the room. Of course.

As far as I’m concerned, if you can find funny things about my face, my race, my body, my intelligence, my clothes, or any of that stuff….it’s fair game. All good in a comedy club. That said, if I’m sitting there with a mentally handicapped person and a man on stage says, “Hey, look at this retard” then there’s probably a good chance I’m getting in his face and exchanging words. Totally different situation? Sure. But, the point is, it’s so easy to overgeneralize. Simply saying “It’s a comedian telling jokes” doesn’t mean literally everything is all in good fun. Was Smith’s physical response over the top? Of course. But does a comedian have the freedom to say literally anything without consequences? I don’t think so. Ask Michael Richards about that one.

“You Can’t Hit People”
I keep reading that sentence. It’s factually untrue. Just saying, “Hey, you can’t do that” is meaningless. Obviously, you can do that. You CAN hit people. But then you’ll have to deal with the response. There will be a long list of potential consequences. We CAN do anything we want. And then we have to live with cause and effect. Mock a man’s wife for a medical condition…you risk a response. Slap someone for speaking those words…you risk having charges filed or worse. It’s not that you can’t do it. What people are trying to articulate is that you shouldn’t hit people. Uh, yeah. Ok. No, you shouldn’t slap a man on stage at the Oscars. And? That’s like trying to spend time explaining that water is wet.

Remember, this is a thought exercise. One of the goals is to get away from black and white thinking for a few minutes. So, even if you say something as seemingly bland as, “Violence is never justified” (as millions of people expressed this week) – are you 100% sure about that? Clearly, it wasn’t the best response in this situation. But does that same generalization fit every example? What if you walked in on a woman being raped or a child being molested…do you kindly ask him to stop? Do you walk away if he doesn’t? Extreme examples, for sure. But those real situations do happen every day. It’s probably not a great habit to speak in generalizations. When we start speaking generally, our brains tend to follow suit. And we start thinking generally.

A Glitch
I saw some mentions about how this is an example of how we all got more screwed up by the last couple of years than we realize. That all of us are dealing with a collective sense of weirdness right now. But a few people (some in very funny ways) referred to it as a glitch in the simulation. It goes without saying that I’m not smart enough to know whether we’re living in a simulation. Or to fully understand the concept. But I do know this was a surreal visual. Much like some of the other truly bizarre things we’ve processed over the last couple of years. We’re talking about Will Smith?? The same Will Smith who has been labeled soft and popcorn for much of his life?? I’d say a pretty decent comp in this situation would have been seeing Tom Hanks do the same thing. It was legitimately (and understandably) upsetting to many people to see that image. I get it. Other than those who feel entertained by strange chaos, it was a “brain melt” type of moment to witness.

All Attention Is Good Attention
Incorrect. Smith took away from his own moment but also grabbed the spotlight from other deserving people that night. There were people in that room who’d worked their entire lives to earn that moment in the sun. Presenters and hosts who dedicated hours trying to put on a good show. It’s unfortunate all around. Clearly, that wasn’t Smith’s goal driving there that evening. Have you ever experienced what feels like good intentions…before later realizing you just plain had it wrong? That you hurt rather than helped? Well, I certainly have. And this is a glaring example of…wait, what’s that sound? Oh, there it is. I can hear the instant pushback now…

”Well, I never hit anyone.”

That’s great. But the point of this exercise is to give our thinking a workout. Obviously, the slap was a very poor way to send a message. Smith himself knows that. But I imagine all of us have hurt people with words at some point along the way. And, if we’re being very honest, we probably caused more pain with those words than what that slap did to Chris Rock. Do we still deserve understanding? Forgiveness? Respect? Again, those are just questions to consider.

Assumptions
Think of dramatic incidents…or literally any interaction between people…in the same way that you visualize icebergs. What you’re watching is a tiny piece. Our entire lives lead up to every moment we have. And one of the most jarring things in reading through the endless reactions was seeing just how quickly and easily people assume. As if they know these people. As if there’s nothing beyond what they just witnessed…no histories, no relationships, no complexity at all. Maybe it’s a timesaver. A way to dumb life down in an easy-to-digest way. But people so often just assume they KNOW. Well beyond this one incident. It’s such a common mental habit. And it’s not a good one. I couldn’t begin to count the massive number of responses I read about this situation. I didn’t see a single person say something like, “Obviously, I’m anti-violence but I’m interested in learning more about how this all went down. Considering I don’t know these guys at all.” Nothing like that. Just reactions. And countless assumptions.

The reality is that I don’t live in the Smith house. I wasn’t the one watching my wife cry on more than one occasion about her hair loss. I didn’t live through any of that. And, clearly, I don’t even know if it happened. Because, again, I was never there. I have no idea what the personal history is between these two men. But I’m pretty sure it’s more complex than a 3-paragraph summary of award show interactions between them listed in an online article. Again, to make it clear for the mentally stubborn, this doesn’t “excuse” anything. That isn’t the point of this exercise. We’ve established that Smith didn’t handle it well. And that he’ll have to deal with the consequences. Beyond that, it’s still incredible how automatically we start assuming in situations. Do you ever look at yourself and find that incredible? How in situations big and small…our brains unconsciously start making assumptions? Well, I find it fascinating.

Our Entire Life Builds Up To This Moment
As mentioned, I binged a book this week. It was Smith’s autobiography (part of my obsessive research to write this deep dive). The book is very good, by the way. The closest comparison I can think of is Andre Agassi’s “Open.” Both of these autobiographies are highly unusual. They aren’t the typical toot-my-own-horn fluff. Rather than talking about how amazing the person in the mirror is, both men spend the majority of their time explaining, “This is what a mess I am.” Both books are vulnerable pieces of writing. Simply not the way someone writes when trying to make themselves sound great. I’m pretty familiar with that style of expression. Those books are written to lay shit out there. As you can imagine, I like reading that kind of thing.

Smith’s book was very revealing. He spoke openly about how his father hit his mother and how he…a young child…felt like a complete failure for not protecting her. How, deep down, he felt like a coward for this. And how he desperately wanted to earn her love. His entire life purpose became about trying to make up for his cowardice. We’re all wired certain ways by our childhoods. His self-worth was tied into impressing and protecting his mother…and later his significant others. That became his identity. Fame and money were fancy costumes. But the cowardice was something he couldn’t escape. Years later, even after achieving worldwide fame… as his father was dying and sitting in a wheelchair…Smith visualized pushing that chair down the stairs. Finally doing what he should have done all those years ago.

Again, all of us are thousands of pages into our lives. All of our previous chapters leading up to this current page. For Smith, what a perfect storm of events. All rising up at the worst possible moment. I imagine he came to that celebration giddy to make his wife proud and happy…before sitting through what he saw as a public mocking. About a medical condition she is privately mortified about. In an instant, he sees the pain on her face and springs into action. Maybe a 2 on the Richter Scale, but one that registered as a 10 in his brain. Snapping into protector mode, Smith makes a very impulsive bad decision. One that helps exactly zero people. At the worst possible time.

Is that how it went down? I don’t know. But it’s certainly possible. The point of this isn’t to defend anything. He knows it was inexcusable. I’m simply painting a possible picture of how we got there. An educated guess. Frankly, as human dramas go, this one is far more interesting than any made-for-Netflix movies I’ve seen recently.

Hero Worship
What a strange thing. The way we humans idolize others within our human race. It’s wonderful that we can find inspiration in each other. Life would be an incredibly dark place without that. But to expect perfection is wildly unrealistic. And it seems that many of us do. We are all very much a work in progress. It was a good note to end the apology with because those words are just so accurate.

I saw numerous instant reactions where people wrote, “I lost all respect for Will Smith.” I found that to be a peculiar response. To recap…

That “respect” you had for a person you never met was taken away by a moment you weren’t around for…while also not being there for anything that led to or followed it, not hearing that person speak, and not seeing if there was an apology and what that might look like. All of that “respect” given and taken away without ever meeting any of the parties involved – or being in on literally any of their histories – other than what you watched on television.

So, just how thin is your “respect”? Again, it’s just a question.  

Social Media Bullying
I only saw a handful of mentions about this. It may or may not be a factor here. But it’s something that we, as a society, seem to underestimate the impact of. So many of us now ingest an incredible amount of negativity on social media. One day, maybe a far smarter person will be able to figure out the full extent of this damage. Is Will Smith rich and famous? Of course. But does that somehow exempt him from being human? Absolutely not. I think it’s reasonable to wonder if his being an active social media user…and having his relationship aggressively hammered day after day…combined with his childhood experience…all led up to this perfect storm of a moment. One where he decided he’d had enough. Something that even his mom was shocked to see out of him.

There’s no way to know for sure. But there are still masses of people who find it “weak” to admit to being hurt by social media hate and negativity…who might be legitimately unaware of the toll it’s taking on them. But I do wonder if this was a factor leading up to that moment for Smith. If you’re not at least a little curious about that, let me leave you with another question…

Being honest, do you tend to have more interest in judging people or in understanding them?

Opening The Door
Is it possible that Smith’s slap will open the door for others, in comedy clubs, to follow his lead? Of course. He might have unintentionally given permission to others to do the exact same thing. Or worse. Unbalanced individuals could very well follow this example to a crazier level. It might end up being the most unfortunate part of this. Smith has opened so many doors in positive ways over the last 35 years. He has spread joy to more people than probably 99.9% of us have in that time. The man built a well-respected professional reputation over 3 decades. Everyone I’ve ever met who worked with the guy was treated with exceptional kindness. One had his salary raised directly because of his Smith’s care. So it’s a genuine bummer that, in a split second one night, he might have opened a very different kind of door. A significant number of my standup comedian friends and acquaintances seem legitimately nervous about what might be coming. Overnight, their job feels less safe to them.

In an alternate universe, maybe Smith walked up to Rock and whispered in his ear:
“Look man, this is a devastating medical condition that embarrasses my wife more than you know. We have a history here. I know her face. I just saw you break her heart so if you say another word about her hair loss, we’re going to settle this backstage. You crossed a line.”

Or in another alternate universe, maybe Smith’s name is called out post-slap as the Best Actor winner. And he says:
“Listen guys, I made this night messy for all of you. I realize that. It wasn’t what I wanted to do here. I came here hoping to help spread joy and love. And I didn’t do that tonight. I embarrassed myself in a big way. I thought a joke crossed a line but then I crossed an even bigger line. So, I genuinely apologize to all of you. And I just can’t accept this award. I shouldn’t be honored here tonight. I’m going to leave now and wish you all a much more pleasant evening. I’m so sorry.”

But that’s not what happened.

Reality and what “should have” happened are two different things. Sometimes, there’s a delay for us to understand exactly what we’ve done. Smith will need to deal with the consequences of that moment. Whatever that ends up meaning. And, unfortunately, he might have even opened the door to someone coming after him physically. A certain “Hey tough guy – let’s see how tough you really are” type of response. As always, there are so many potential domino effects to our bad choices. Cause and effect.

Think Of The Children Types
There’s a surprising number of people whose go-to response tends to be crying out about kids watching. No matter the scale of the situation. It reminds me of the character in The Simpsons who always screams from every crowd, “THINK OF THE CHILDREN!”

I read through many, many paragraphs full of that type of reaction. Eventually, I imagined saying this in response:

There’s a world you seem to think we live in. It’s not the real one. In our actual world, people (even the decent ones) do make mistakes. We all screw up and we all handle situations poorly. Hopefully, we apologize. We often pay a price for our wrongs – in some way. Hopefully we grow from it. There are no examples for kids who are above that. You will never find someone who is mistake-free. It’s the reality of our journey as human beings. Obviously, there are degrees to things. This was certainly a meltdown. But Will Smith will not be spending life in prison for this slap. To believe your child will be forever scarred by seeing this moment is irrational. Kids can get upset. It’s ok. They can learn life lessons. Not all of them will be pleasant. But just so you know…

On this planet, your children are far more impacted by you ignoring their desire to play because you’re busy on your phone…and by your cold tone in impatient moments…than they will ever be by seeing a slap on TV. Get a grip.  

Privilege
So many people despise the word. But, man, there is a massive amount of privilege just overflowing all over the place here:

• Two millionaires gathering in a fancy room with other millionaires who are all there to pat each other on the back = privilege.
• A man slapping someone in a crowded room, having no security or cops say a word to him, and then getting a trophy with a standing ovation a few minutes later = privilege.
• Having a life so peaceful that you truly believe your children will be irrevocably damaged by seeing a dude on TV slap another dude on TV = privilege.
• Having enough free time that you can spend chunks of it reading about an argument at the Oscars (or writing a deep dive about it) = privilege.

You Embarrassed Black People Types
Look, there’s no beating around the bush on this last one. Because I saw a lot of this. If you aren’t black and your instant response was:
(A) Will Smith embarrassed the black community.
BUT
(B) You have never in your life expressed anything positive about anyone honoring that same community…

I have an important piece of advice for you.

Let me word this just right…how do I put it…oh yeah, strongly consider shutting the fuck up.

Relax. I typed it that way for effect. But really try to realize what you’re doing. I’m not going to use a word that gets thrown around far too loosely these days but actually think about this. If the only time you talk about black people as a whole is when you’re pointing out how they’re embarrassing themselves…please look in the mirror. Very, very closely.

Ok, that takes us to our conclusion…

(I told you it was a deep dive)

Conclusion
I couldn’t look away. Leaping from one corner of the internet to the next. Absorbing everything I could find. You name it. Words from various generations, multiple races, liberals, conservatives, the ignorant, the smart, the rich, the broke, and everything in between.

It’s clear that Smith will face ramifications. For many, the damage is done. And they are done with him. There’s a sad irony in how surreal the image was – winning such a prestigious award…but managing to lose in a much bigger way on the exact same night. On that exact same stage. And he will undoubtedly lose things. Will he still live a movie star life? Most likely. But there will be personal and professional impacts from this. As well as a glaring stain on his reputation. Smith spent decades on this planet being showered in affection to a degree that few of us will ever know. And, suddenly, there’s a very long line of people who see him differently. As Jimmy Kimmel wondered that evening, “Was there anyone who didn’t like Will Smith an hour ago in the world?”

But here’s something else that will happen…

Every day for the rest of his life…Smith will be hammered online. About any big flaw that can be found. Every big weakness. And, certainly, this major misstep. The daily reminders won’t arrive just from one segment of the internet. Anything embarrassing that can be dug up from his past will be posted. And then re-posted. Over and over again. From who his wife has slept with to incessant edits of the worst 5 seconds of his professional life. In 2022, we are an army of self-appointed lawyers on our couches. And we will relentlessly provide evidence to the court that Will Smith is not a perfect person. I mean, just look at what he is. Just look!

Are you thinking he signed up for that? Fine.

Are you thinking he deserves it? Fine.

But remember, this is one example. One man. We do this now, as a society, as if it’s our national obsession. We relentlessly hammer away. A new person behaved badly or childishly this week? Oh, it’s go time. A million machine guns of mental and verbal childishness will be fired back. That’ll show him. And if one of us gets tired, ten more are always ready to carry the torch. Our mission is to proudly share any flaw we can find in people…any weakness…and “get them.” Maybe it makes us feel superior. Or at least less inferior. But something as messy as this juicy incident? We are practically tripping over ourselves. Hey, look at this video of Jada talking about her beautiful, bald head. Ha, we got you! Oh, look at these videos of a young Will Smith doing a promo against violence…and this one of him teasing a bald man. Ha, we got you again!

Chalk up another “win” for us.

This is our routine. And we do it each and every time like clockwork.

There’s just one pesky, minor detail…

We’ve basically weaponized the internet as a tool to tear ourselves apart.

Dramatic? Yes.
Overdramatic? You better hope so.

See, we do this dance so well that we don’t even notice we’re doing it. And it’s not just reserved for celebrities who act crazy. All of the rapidly increasing tension and hostility over the years? All of that contentiousness you’ve felt growing around you? It doesn’t just exist online and stay there. We absorb every bit of it and carry it into our lives. Into us. It’s changing the way we think and behave.

Yes, there was an incredible amount of ego involved in that moment from Smith. It was a jarringly ugly visual. No excuses. Whatever price he pays will be because of his own actions. But more than one thing can be true. None of it changes the fact that under that 9-figure bank account and movie star smile lives an insecure man who doesn’t know he’s enough. One who, in the core of his being, believes he let down a helpless woman long ago. As a coward. And, quite obviously, he still hasn’t figured out how to let go of that pain. Now creating more of it. No need to assume. Anyone interested can read those details. Underneath everything, that slap came out of a person’s insecurity.

So, I guess we do have something in common with Will Smith after all. Because the passion with which we pick apart people’s weaknesses, flaws, and mistakes…the scale to which we hammer away when they slip…is not the behavior of a secure human being.

You and I are living in an insecurity epidemic. Maybe we should recognize that. Maybe we should pay more attention to how we think. Would it be so terrible for us to consciously try and find nuance in situations? And isn’t it about time to figure out what to do in our own minds when:

(A) Someone’s behavior deeply upsets us.
BUT
(B) We’re not talking about a serial monster who needs to be locked up forever.

Do we mock, attack, and pick people apart indefinitely? Is that good for us…or anyone? Because if our goal is to break each other, I think we’re on a pretty good path to do that.

I noticed so many comments were essentially people just writing some version of, “Violence is bad.” Ok. But I think the internet has that point covered pretty well. So, maybe it’s also time for us to rediscover restraint. More self-awareness when we don’t really have much to contribute to a conversation. Because typing words that essentially amount to “I’m upset” is much like using our keyboards in the same way a baby uses a pacifier.

Look, I’ve never struck a person in my adult life. Obviously, I don’t think we should go around assaulting each other all day. But do you know who else would agree with that statement? Will Smith. No, I don’t know the guy. And, yeah, maybe he’s losing it. Or lost it. It’s possible he’s even a danger to harm himself. But I don’t think it would hurt us to start giving a little more thought to situations on a case-by-case basis. Considering a little more before we race to share our responses. Would that be the worst thing in the world to try?

Again, it’s just a question.

A Glimpse

What if you skipped ahead now to your final day?

With nothing left on the list, not a single x-ray.

Settled in one last time on your pillow and bed…

Just a handful of breaths until living meets dead.

Vivid memories from life…all the pictures flood by…

Tornado of feelings but no strength to cry.

The years of money and objects you had to obtain?

Completely forgotten.

That never did heal your pain.

Seems there’s only two options for your final thoughts…

No difference at all between haves and have nots…

You’ll either leave this world thinking of who filled your heart.

Or the one other option before you depart:

A staggering punch into your final sunset…

Reality hits:  

“I have so much regret.”

The depth of that pain? Just no way to amend.

Life should have been more…

But you’ve arrived at the end.

Now, let’s jump back to today where there’s still time on the clock.

After viewing the future, how could you sleepwalk?

You’ll want to build a new road to avoid the same path.

Or, emotionally speaking, it will be a bloodbath.

But what can you do with the rest of these days?

If fulfillment you want, not just hollow self-praise.

You can see with more nuance (past the old black and white).

Learn existence is empty when just trying to be right.

You can stay much more present, making room for romance.

Maybe break out in song…

Finding moments to dance.

You can write loving letters to open your soul.

Treat every new birthday…

Like a game-winning field goal.

You can find strangers in need and extend a big hand…

Healing friendships once broken…

Because, now…

You’ll understand.

Fast-forwarding showed the potential forecast…

You have seen it’s all precious and will be over so fast.

So…

Will you choose the new road? Or does it all stay the same?

There is so much available for you to claim.

But history tells us that change is too hard.  

We are creatures of habit…

Because we are scarred.

Sure, you may be an exception, there are always a few…

Someone’s inside…

A best version of you.

But did you learn anything from the long jump ahead?

From glimpsing what felt like such inner bloodshed?

Hard to answer today, that will come down the line…

But there’s one thing for sure…

It’s yours to define.

Tips For ‘22

1. Keep it light
At some point this year, you will make your spouse angry. Such is life. But don’t forget that you have a secret weapon at your disposal. That’s right. You have mastered the art of comedy. The world never recognized your gift? Irrelevant. Because you’ve been blessed with an ability to improvise. In your toolbelt is a wide variety of hilarious material that can diffuse any tense situation. All you need to do is let it out.

Next time you see rage in your spouse’s eyes…and hear ferocity in their voice…trust your instincts. The floor is yours. Place your finger on their lips to stop the yelling, grab your nearest banana, and announce, “Houston, we have a problem” right into it. Crisis averted. Fight ended. Your high level of comedic craftsmanship saves yet another day. As always, deflecting with humor is the key to any healthy relationship. It’s why standup comedians are such happy, well-adjusted people.

2. Use hot new slang
Not many people have the “it” factor. But you do. Humans are drawn to your words. They love to hear you speak. So, always search for new ways to sound more interesting. Like studying up on the latest trends in language. For example…

After finishing a great meal, say:
“This just hits different.”

Express the same sentiment while watching a sunset. Also, during a good workout. And so on. In 2022, everything should hit you differently. Now, at work meetings, your go-to phrase should be, “Let’s circle back.” Everyone loves hearing that. It’s one of those rare phrases that never gets old. Who knows why. Maybe it just reminds people of circles. Who among us doesn’t love a good shape, right? So, say it often.

Finally, look for opportunities to use words like “bae” and “fam.” Just don’t be surprised if people start lining up to hear you speak. When it happens, simply say, “That’s lit.”

(If there’s anyone alive who can resist that phrase, I have yet to meet them)

3. Keep things fresh in bed
Is sex important? Absolutely! And a big key to sexual success is not wasting anyone’s time. Think of it as a race to the finish line. Now, while speed is important, you also need to consider your partner’s feelings. We all value positive feedback. So, share a few words after the deed is done. Maybe look at your naked, vulnerable partner and say, “Well, that was interesting.”

Taking your intimacy to the next level means remembering your secret weapon…comedy. This is an advanced level technique. It requires perfect timing. But waiting for the exact moment of climax to ask, “You have herpes too, right?” will create a classic moment your partner will remember for years.

4. Set reasonable expectations
Do you aspire to be a disappointment? Is it fun to let people down? Of course not. So, be very careful where you set the bar in new relationships…

If you’re a man, remember to always leave the toilet seat up. Don’t forget this. Otherwise, she’ll expect you to put that thing down for the rest of your life. Very unrealistic. Who has an extra 5 seconds each day to waste? Over a lifetime, that almost adds up to an entire episode of Seinfeld.

Now, if you’re a woman, remember to spend 3 hours getting ready for that entire first year. This is critical. Beyond just destroying his spirit (very beneficial in relationships), it also sets up a more peaceful future for you. He will spend all of his subsequent years thinking, “Wow, she’s so much faster than she used to be.”

5. Never apologize
Are any of us right 100% of the time? Of course not. But that’s where the phrase “fake it ‘til you make it” comes in. Or “act as if.” You never want to concede that you’re wrong. Instead, master the art of quickly turning defensive whenever you feel cornered. Otherwise, you’ll be plagued with self-doubt. You might as well just carry a sign that reads, “I am weak.”

But accidents happen. If a “sorry” does slip out of your mouth, remember that your tone should be as sarcastic as possible. This will improve with practice.

Over time, hopefully you can build up enough defensive walls that no new information will get through again. You already know everything that you’ll ever need to know. So, it’s important to tune out the noise. Arriving at a place where you can stop listening to everyone other than people you already agree with. Give it time. You’ll get there. Just remember that if you never let anything in, you’ll never be wrong. And you’ll never get hurt. The ultimate goal for us all.

6. Multitask
Recent studies show that Americans spend more hours using devices than ever before. It’s how we stay connected to our fast-paced world. Want to get left behind? Because, in 2022, you can no longer afford to focus on just one thing at a time.

“Downtime” is a relic of the past. If you’re in a movie theater, remember to periodically check in on how your stock portfolio is doing. Maybe clean up your inbox. When driving down the freeway, take a quick glance down to see which Kardashian is trending on social media. Otherwise, you’ll be out of the loop. Even when relaxing at home, always have at least 2 screens between your eyes and the television.

These simple productivity hacks will keep you at the front of the line. Just do your best. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you get through an entire day without making eye contact with another living person.

7. Don’t be easy to read
People are so binary these days, right? They get locked into one perspective.  Either A or B. Well, you don’t need to fit yourself into anyone’s little box. You can be a true individual. With logic that isn’t as predictable as everyone else’s. For example…

Let’s say you hate “tipping culture” – all those endless tips for service workers. Well, most people would say just raise the minimum wage instead. Makes sense, right? But what if you can both hate tipping AND protest against higher wages? Nobody will see that one coming. In fact, they won’t be able to make any sense of you at all.

Let’s say you hate vaccines because you’re unsure about what’s in them. Better safe than sorry. But what if you also enjoy questionable food truck tacos? And visit discount all-you-can-eat seafood buffets without a care in the world? People will never be able to figure you out. No tiny little box for your logic. You win again.  

8. Engage with the community
Remember when we used to know our neighbors? Those days of yore when we really took the time to care about one another? Well, it all starts with communication. Kind words don’t cost a cent. So…

Next time you’re at the gym, speak to more people. Connect. Why not compliment a random man on his body? If he’s listening to music, just give him a little tap. And then say something like, “I couldn’t help but notice your physique. It really is quite impressive.”

Such an easy community-building gesture.

Even when running errands, pay more attention to the people around you. Let’s say you spot a crying woman. Don’t just ignore her pain. It might be scary, but show a little humanity. Walk up to her and say, “I couldn’t help but notice your tears. Is it because of your haircut?”

That is how friendships take root. It all starts with a person who cares. A giver. It might even be nice to keep a bag of lollipops in your car. That way, you can call out to children and ask if they’d like some candy. Will the community take notice?

You bet.

Newfangled Resolutions

Did you grow up with dreams of being just like everyone else?

Was there a fire in your belly screaming out, “I hope to be unoriginal!”

Of course not. But, every January…we all recite the same, predictable, dusty list of New Year’s resolutions. Why not at least consider something unique?

Or, hey, another way to go is to keep hitting replay on the old playlist…

• Obviously, you want to eat better and exercise more.
• No shit, you want to be happy, organized, and successful.  
• Of course, you want to spend more time with your loved ones and live life to the fullest.

(Editor’s Note: We all want these things. That will forever be a given. It’s like declaring, “I hope to breathe oxygen this year”)

So, here’s what I propose…

Let’s at least try to be a bit more original, shall we?

Something we all understand is that it’s hard to break habits. That’s what a typical New Year’s resolution comes out of, right? Our desire to replace bad habits with good ones. Eating well, working out more often, striving for better things, etc. But there’s one GIANT bad habit we always overlook…

The way we think.

(It ain’t sexy. But, other than health, does anything impact us more than our mental habits?)

So, what do you say…should we try to shake up our resolution repertoire? For 2022, maybe we can start exercising a muscle that the masses don’t even consider. First, a little backstory…

Clearly, I’m not a genius. I also have limited skills in the kitchen and am even worse as a handyman. There’s a good chance you could fill every stadium in America with people who have more money than me. But there are 2 things I take a ton of pride in:

1. I’m an extremely honest person.
2. I know how to care deeply.

We all have our 2 or 3 things. The stuff we define ourselves by. Let’s call these our “home traits.” The main shit right at the bullseye of who we are.

For some, it’s how steady and rational they are. Others define themselves as kind. Some look in the mirror and the main thing they see is a great work ethic. And so on. But there’s something so interesting I keep observing. It’s a common struggle we all have with our thinking…

We have a hard time remembering moments that contradict our “home traits.”

Let me explain…

I could rattle off a dozen examples of the ways I’ve sucked in the kitchen. Or all the times my handywork has been a mess. It’s easy to remember. Because that shit doesn’t sting. It’s not what matters most to me. But what happens when I try to question my home traits…

Ask for 3 examples of me being dishonest last year and I will STRUGGLE MY ASS OFF to come up with an answer.

My brain will try to turn the key, but the memories won’t crank up.  

In short, I don’t want to go there. I define myself as honest. And I don’t like to see any exceptions.

That was a big discovery last year. I saw it over and over with people. We all seem to be wired this way. In spite of our millions of differences, we share this exact mental habit. A kind of protection of our home traits. These tiny little adjectives (like honesty for me) become who we are. So, is there anything wrong with that?

Well, the thing is…we’re human beings.

We’re not just 2 or 3 adjectives.

Your home traits…just like mine…start to make your vision of yourself too narrow.

It becomes too small of a box.

Let’s say your home trait is how “selfless” you are. That becomes the way you define yourself. What you see in the mirror. But the reality is, you’ll have moments of selfishness just like the rest of us. It might be as small as cutting someone off in traffic accidentally because you’re running late. But here’s what happens…

When I ask someone with the home trait of “selfless” to give 3 examples of their selfishness (big or small) from the last year…they will struggle like crazy with that question. Their brain doesn’t want to access to those memories. There’s a mental habit standing in their way. Just like all of us with our home traits.

Here’s a makeshift chart with some examples of how this works (a person’s defining home trait is on the left):

• “Hard worker” – will struggle to think of examples when they were lazy last year
• “Reliable” – will struggle to think of the times they were flaky last year
• “Strong” – will struggle to think of examples when they were weak last year
• “Impeccable integrity” – will struggle to think of times they let someone down last year
• “Nice” – will struggle to think of examples of how they were unkind last year
• “Easygoing” – will struggle to think of times they were rigid last year
• And so on.

Does this all make sense? I realize it’s complicated to express in writing. But the main idea is that, over time, we “become” the adjectives that define us. In our own minds. And we really don’t want to see the exceptions. Personally, I don’t care nearly as much about being rich and powerful or any of that stuff…as I do about being honest. That trait matters most to me. Which is exactly why I struggle to think of examples that contradict it.

So (if you’re interested) here’s a challenge for 2022:

1. Identify your home traits. I imagine you’re already pretty damn familiar with them. I mean, these are the main ways you define yourself. But actually write them down.

2.  Think of a few exceptions. Specific examples from last year when you weren’t those adjectives. For me, that means specific times I wasn’t honest. The examples can be big or small. But, again, write them down.

Some of you are probably wondering…

What’s the point of this? To feel worse about myself?  

Nope. That’s the exact opposite of the point. We cling so tight to the traits we value most. We all do. And, over time, we start clinging on too tight. We do this to form our identity. We take the adjectives that matter most (like honesty for me) and define ourselves in very rigid ways. It gets very black and white. As time marches on, we lose more and more of the gray. The big box of just being a human becomes…the much smaller box of our home traits.

I know this was an earful. But if you’re interested in a unique New Year’s resolution, here it is. Consider spending time with those moments. The ones when you weren’t honest or selfless or reliable or whatever it is that you identify as. Start with this exercise. Then let it grow. This resolution is nothing more than letting yourself “just” be human. Seeing how your vision of yourself has been too small.

And, look, if you just can’t think of any examples of being selfish (or whatever it may be)…

That doesn’t make you a superhero. It means you have plenty of room to be more self-aware.

Too many New Year’s resolutions are about achieving. As if you need to be more than what you are. Like you need to earn or prove something. This resolution is very different than most…

Just challenge your thinking.

I’m sure you’ve noticed how our society can look at things in such polarized ways. All that simplistic, black-and-white thinking can get old, right? Well, we do the same damn thing in our minds with who we are.

This post won’t be for everyone.

I get it.

Totally understandable.

But I think it will resonate with some of you. I hope you’ll define yourself a little less in the ways that feel most familiar. And, once your vision expands past that small box, it will do that for the people you care about too. If we see ourselves in limited ways, we can’t help but see other people like that as well.

Anyway, I think that’s a pretty cool resolution for 2022.  
(along with eating well and working out and all that other shit)

Happy new year, my friends!

Look At The Pictures

I know a guy…

With the ability to be the life of a party.

Not in some Jim Carrey, relentlessly in-your-face way. More like a switch he can flip. Whenever ice needs to be broken, he gets people laughing. If conversations at a group dinner turn stale…he knows how to get the table grooving again. Nothing fake. He’s just kind of built for those moments. With an outgoing personality and a seemingly endless collection of stories…it flows out of him easily. And he certainly never minded a spotlight.  

But most of us change with age.

Over the years, his need for attention decreased. He could still get the good times rolling in group settings…but started to step back once the festivities were in full swing.

He seemed to observe the room more.  

With softer eyes.

And then, one year, he saw something new…

Sure, he was still the court jester whenever groups came together. Doing his familiar song-and-dance at the start. But he noticed that socializing (the very thing that gave so much joy) was actually a stressful experience for some. He started seeing it clearly. At every medium-sized to large gathering…there was one person who appeared almost invisible. Sometimes young. Sometimes old. But always kind of hiding in plain sight.  He realized that by being so wrapped up in the fun…he’d always looked right past that person with the sad eyes.

It bothered him. And now he couldn’t stop seeing it. No matter the occasion, there always seemed to be a person sitting alone to the side. He found himself gravitating to that person whenever groups came together. He certainly didn’t want to be a nuisance. But he couldn’t help but observe the loneliness in those eyes. And he was blessed with the gift of gab, after all. Maybe he could just say hello in case of any interest in a conversation.

He started to make a habit of that.

You never know what might brighten someone’s day, he learned.

People don’t always need a song and dance.

Sometimes they just need to be seen.   

—–

I know a guy…

Who finally learned how to unplug.

This whole world of technology caught him by surprise. He’d grown up playing in the streets. As a kid from another era…he spent his formative years riding bikes, examining insects, and shooting hoops. Technology? Please. He didn’t even wear a watch. The only way he realized it was time to go home was by seeing the sun disappear.

But the world moves fast.

As an adult, he grew more and more dependent on devices. Like everyone. Now, his iPhone was lighting up 20 times each hour. And, much like a trained seal, he’d reach for it without thinking. Was every alert really that urgent? Couldn’t he occasionally ignore the buzzing?

It was getting ridiculous. Ok, he asked himself…who’s in control here?
(A) Man
or
(B) Machine

(Hint: the correct answer was not A)

Society moved full steam ahead. Everyone was fully plugged in now. So was he. Netflix and streaming apps for entertainment (because TV alone wasn’t enough)…podcasts when his eyes left a screen…and a phone always within inches of his grasp. By now, he was even checking his calendar app a dozen times per day. But why? Had anything changed since his last glance 10 minutes ago?

He started wondering:
Is this advancement or obsession?

How many times did he need to check out the price of Bitcoin?
How many opinions did he need to read about every world event?
How much information did he need to absorb from these devices?

…how much was enough?

Being plugged in wasn’t necessarily a recipe for happiness. He found himself more annoyed in general. By the endless news updates. By all the ongoing commentary online from countless strangers. He even got bothered by the way people typed “LOL” randomly into sentences. He didn’t even know them. Why was he so easily irritated?

He started to question himself. Maybe there was a such thing as being too plugged in. Was it really necessary to stay engaged with “the world” each day? It was a thought that had been marinating for years.

He ignored it.

And then, one year, he finally learned how to unplug.

Sure, he still needed to spend big chunks of time with technology. There was no way around it. But he started disconnecting more often. He went for walks alone. Leaving his phone at home felt strange at first. No screens, no music, and nothing to entertain him. Not a single post to read. Just him and his thoughts.

He remembered how to turn down the noise.

And it was a breath of fresh air.

—–

I know a guy…

Who tried on a new pair of shoes.

Since childhood, the truth was clear. He was afraid. The ever-present anxiety sat there like a boulder in the pit of his stomach. All the thoughts played on a loop. Would things work out? Was he enough? Was he worthy of love?

He disguised his self-doubt well.

People looked in his direction and saw a brave, confident dude.

But, despite what the world saw, he spent his life in fear. It was his most comfortable pair of shoes, so to speak. Only the tiniest piece of his soul wanted to yell, “I’M TIRED OF THESE DAMN SHOES!” But all that ever came out was a faint whisper. And it was quickly drowned out by the much louder fears.

He noticed that there were plenty of people who were able to leap without a net. Carefree humans in every direction. Didn’t they know they were supposed to worry? How on earth could they live in such a way?

But, secretly, he wanted to experience that kind of freedom too.

He just couldn’t abandon his most comfortable shoes.

Year after year, it frustrated him.

And then, one year…finally…he took a chance.

He was tired of being scared.

So he tried on a new pair of shoes.

And they carried him to new and wonderful adventures.

—–

You probably figured it out by now, but “the guy I know” in the stories above is me.

“And then one year” comes from my imagination of how 2022 might look.

We humans see things in pictures, right? Our oldest memories live as home videos in our heads. So, as we reach the end of this year, maybe it’s good for us to look at some of those pictures. Of where we’ve been. As well as the images of where we might like to go.

I hope you had a safe and healthy 2021. Obviously, this has been a challenging couple of years for us all. I genuinely wish you the very best in 2022. You deserve it. Hell, I think we all do.

See you in January.

MileNerd out.