Level UP

I’m about to share a deep secret.  I’ve tucked this thing away for a long time and have worked hard to keep it hidden. I haven’t talked about it and when anything related to this pops up, I’ll beat it back down like I’m playing Whac-A-Mole .  I don’t enter into conversations on the topic and have gone to great lengths to protect this thing. So much so, I’ve even turned away good opportunities because of this. I’ve chosen to give up fun, camaraderie, and friendship. When hearing the numerous stories that others tell, I put my sense of adventure on hold long enough so that I can escape having to venture into this thing. While I genuinely believe that it might be worth it, I just can’t seem to bring myself to jump in.  All because I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I won’t be good enough. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to contribute. I’m afraid that it will take too long to figure it out. I’m afraid that I’ll embarrass myself. And, I’m afraid that I’ll drag others down. Those are ...

What If…?  … is a question that is most likely asked by someone who is curious, imaginative, and open to possibilities, often seeking to explore alternative scenarios and potential outcomes. In 2021, Disney+ and Marvel Comics asked that exact question. Over and over in fact, creating the “ What If…? ” TV series.  What If...? explores various alternate timelines across the multiverse in which major moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films occur differently. (If that just went over your head, it’s ok. Just keep reading. It will all make sense, I promise.) If you’re a parent in today’s world, there’s a good chance you’ve had this thought at some point: “My kid is always playing video games. I can’t get them to do anything else!” Maybe you’ve even uttered the classic, “Get off that game and do something productive!” If you have, feel no shame. You are not alone. I thought the same thing and it nearly destroyed my relationship with our son.  Just as Disney ...

  America Runs on Dunkin’ . A simple slogan that suggests that Dunkin’ Donut’s coffee, donuts, and snacks provide the fuel that keeps busy Americans going. If you’re running on empty, tired, or drained, no worries. Dunkin’s got you. Grab a large Vanilla Creme Cold Brew and a Cotton Candy donut and the 103 grams of sugar will make it feel like you’re in a race car running on NOS . 🏎️ In other words: Americans, get your caffeine fix and sugar high at Dunkin’. And people do. In 2024, Dunkin’s revenue was $13.8 billion . Billion. With a “B”.  We’re tired but we just need to push through. Life feels like a never ending grind, we’re running on fumes, and even the things we want to do can feel exhausting. And our players feel it, too. We rush them from school to practice to youth group to social activities and then back home again to get all of their homework done. Whew.  Just like us, they’re drained, too.  And we feel stuck. So we run to places like Dunkin’ to get unstu...

On occasion, my wife is out of the house over dinner time. The usual culprit for this ripple in our routine is that she has a hair appointment. Knowing that events like this are very important to her, I swallow hard and put on my big boy pants. If I’m going to get any amount of meaningful sustenance, I need to make dinner. For myself. But where do I start? Often, I’ll open the refrigerator and stare inside as if I’m at the Rijs Museum taking in the immense majesty of The Night Watch . I’m desperately hoping to experience something like the dining scene from Beauty and the Beast, watching in amazement as the contents of my entire kitchen and dining room magically create something as amazing as a rack of lamb, lobster mac and cheese, and warm caramel apple pie from Three Oak Steakhouse . Nothing happens. ☹️ I’ve got to make something, I tell myself as my arms dangle motionless from my shoulders. The growling from my stomach does little to move them. I feel frozen. My brain is like, Com...