Maestro Musings

Read time: 2 min 45 sec

In last week’s email we chatted about taking advantage of the things you already have and the things that already exist.

No need to reinvent the wheel, right?

Today I want to riff about taking care of the things we have and that already exist.

Now, as I type that last sentence I also feel the need to point out that it is ABSOLUTELY worth taking a moment to look around and see what is ACTUALLY worth fighting for and keeping, but what I’m really trying to get at with today’s email is applying that whole “the journey is the destination” phrase to our lives.

I spend a decent amount of my time these days trying to learn about and understand how we (speaking largely about the US here) got where we are today.

I do this with the hopes of identifying action items that are both possible, and significant, on the individual level.

I get that everything happening right now feels big and out of reach and impossible to overcome. That’s honestly the point, but, it’s not the truth.

What is true, is that just as our day-to-day actions have contributed to making things worse, our day-to-day actions can contribute to making things better. Yes, I said it, we all have contributed in some way, shape, or form. This doesn’t make us bad people. Let’s own it and move forward. Radical responsibility can help expedite outcomes.

I discussed the concept of contribution in yesterday’s podcast episode, more specifically on the consequences of outsourcing, so if you’d like to hear me riff a bit more and go down that rabbit hole a bit deeper, you can click here to check out that episode.

If you’re still reading this and I didn’t run you off with my communal accusation, allow me to cut to the chase: Time spent taking care of the things you have is time spent being where your feet are.

Wtf does that even mean?!

Well, in my humble opinion, when you’re taking care of the things you have, you’re present, you’re aware, you’re reflective, and quite often, you’re grateful.

Once a month Lex and I do a deep clean of this behemoth of a house we rent. While I don’t love the task enough to do it more than once a month, it really does make me so grateful for all we have, and so aware of just how fortunate we are.

Some of my most favorite days at home are the ones when I can do handyMaestro odd jobs around the house. This past Sunday I waxed our outdoor gym equipment, sanded down the shitty old wooden door on our gate, and changed the teeny lightbulbs that we pretend do something in our backyard.

Yes, there is a pride associated with completing the tasks, but there is also just such gratitude and appreciation for what is, for what I have, for what I’m able to do, for the time that I have to do it.

These moments underpin my enough. These thoughts bring me contentment. These actions remind me what matter. These feelings inspire me to help others achieve and experience their own versions.

So, if any of you reading this have been feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, my suggestion is to start with what you already have, and simply start by taking care of it.

Maestro out.