Rockin' the virtual workout and 2 new quotes from Kyle - Stay Whole Peeps!

Mom said: You look just like Chris! Tall, bald, and handsome!

Two great quotes from Kyle above. Ready to go on my Vision Board! And that's my Austin Golf Club ball mark from Hop. The back says, GPS 59, as it was a birthday present when I turned 59 - a great golf number!

Make it a Great Monday

Lucy,

Kyle made your mom a special pancake in the shape of a heart on her birthday yesterday. 

That made me think of when I used to get creative with your breakfast.

MIAGM,

Dad

Happy 60th Birthday Cathy / Mama!

Page:

1. The proof-of-the-pudding is in how amazing are her daughters. I see bits and bits and bits of Cathy in Sally, Emily and Lucy. Here’s what I mean from A to Z:

Abundantly happy
Beautiful on the outside and the inside
Courageous and brave
Diligence in all they do
Equal parts smart and humble
Fun!
Gracious
Hilarious at times
Incredible common-sense
Just and fair to others
Kind (see just and fair)
Little (not fat)
Magic is real
Not afraid
Omnipotent (def: having unlimited power; able to do anything)
Polite and polished
Queen of England is coming to dinner
Reassuring of others
Sassy!
Totally willing to 'give it a go'
Universal in thought and action (world-view)
Vivacious (def: attractively lively and animated)
Wow! factor
Xtra energy, fortitude, and stick-to-it-ness
Ya’ll come on over for dinner (all ya’ll!)
Zippity doo dah!

2. It is one thing to have these 26 characteristics and entirely another to teach three daughters the same. This is the great gift Cathy has given us all and I am eternally blessed to have witnessed it happen. Happy 60th to the love of my life. Let’s keep it going!

Sally:

1. I love how Mom always encourages me to be the best I can be. She listens intensively and gives the best advice for each situation we confront in life. She doesn’t judge or respond too critically but takes time to understand and offer genuine feedback. She knows when things are deserving of time and energy, and when they are not worth worrying about. I look to her for everything from the simplest things like how to cook a chicken breast, to the harder things like how to be a good wife. I am so lucky to have a mom that takes the time and effort to guide me and To be my role model even when I’m 27.
2. I love how mom has contagious energy and is so fun to be around. She loves to laugh and brings joy to every gathering Or occasion. I know this quarantine hasn’t been the birthday we had all hoped for but she still has a positive attitude and is willing to make the best out of any situation. I hope one day I can provide the same positive example and selflessness to my family.

Lucy:

1. I love how mom is a doer! She accomplishes everything she sets her mind to. Whether working 2 or 3 jobs, making her daughters’ lives full of surprises/fun, planning trips, or just cooking dinner she always goes above and beyond to do her tasks well and provide for the people around her.

2. I love mom’s fun, never ending energy! She knows how to have a good time and throw a great party! Taught each of us about good hospitality and how to genuinely enjoy life. She doesn’t take anything too seriously and is the life of every party! Mom, I love you and hope to be a strong, fun, serving, loving woman like you!

Emily:

1. It’s an honor to be nick-named “little Cathy”… Not only because of Mom’s good looks and smokin' hot bod. But also, because Mom is extremely loved by so many people and she is always the life of the party! I am proud to be her daughter and happy she is my best friend!

2. I love that Mom is determined and hard working. She has shown us all how to “get shit done” our whole lives! When Mom sets her mind to something, she gives it her all and more.

Taylor:

1. Cathy manages to always make time for others, especially her family. I don’t know how she manages so many women in her life and makes time for them all. She is amazing at helping and enjoying their lives.

2. I love that Cathy keeps things in perspective. She enjoys the small things and can take flak with a laugh. I especially like to see her and Kyle go at it 😂

Kyle (special first-time affirmations!):

1. I appreciate how Cathy always makes me feel at home and like I have a mom in Austin when I’m so far from my own mom and gone. 

2. I love that Cathy always keeps me on my toes and is calling me out for what she thinks. She always says what’s on her mind and I’m the exact same way. I respect that.

Susan:

1. Loves the way she excels in mass chaos....taught me there is no such thing as too much multitasking. 

2. Admire the way she makes friends and keeps them forever!

Dana:

1. I love my favorite shopping for antiques for days buddy! 

2. The way she always finds the bright side of everything!

Cindy:

1. Your exercise endurance and persistence amazes us!

2. Your strength in raising three awesome girls, all different in their own way, yet all extremely family connected to you(and Page)!

Caroline:

1. I love the way you have always been able to give me the "stinky eye". I know I better shape up or ship out. You've always been able to keep me in line. What a job you had!

2. I love the fact, that you are one of the most beautiful, most intelligent, most caring women I know. I cherish you as a member of my family and one of my Best Friends. 

Happy 60th Sister. You are one of a kind!

Chip:

In addition to the essential traits, we appreciate in family and demand in friends, such as a certain degree of honesty, morality, loyalty, etc. Two of Cathy's traits worth mentioning are competency, which I hold in high regard, and her complete inability to relate a story w/o embellishment, which is actually a manifestation of her healthy outlook on life and congenital desire to please others.

Happy 60th, sister.

PS: you don't look it

FAAFF - Rory McIlroy

The Golf Channel recently profiled Ryan Holiday in a piece about Rory McIlroy and how he used 'The Obstacle Is The Way' to help clear his mind. Give it a watch when you can and make it a Fit as a Fiddle Friday!

WPW - Talented daughter Sally

Hey Lu,

It's Woman Power Wednesday, and I'm celebrating my standup desk, designed by your talented big sister Sally B. Here's a post on LinkedIn that took my Nugget in this direction today. 

Thank you, Sally, for designing such a great work area! We are proud of you and your fantastic success at Betty Burgess Design.

I'm staying positive and productive while putting my desk to good use in these times of no travel.

Stand tall,

Dad

Alive Time Challenge - Ryan Holiday

Hey family,

Anyone want to join me on a Ryan Holiday 14 day Alive Time Challenge: Resilience, Productivity and Service in the Time of Coronavirus? 

Here's the summary from the link:

• There are two types of time: alive time and dead time. 
• Given excess time, most people elect to ‘kill it’ by watching Netflix, mindlessly scrolling on their phone or complaining about being bored. That’s dead time.
• Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way. We can also use excess time to learn and improve. To invest in ourselves. Learn new skills. This is alive time. 
• Making the best out of every spare moment of time instead of wasting it or killing it. 
• This is a choice we face regularly…but it is even more pressing to us today. 
• COVID-19 is here and right now you, and most of the world, are on lockdown. We do not have control over that fact. We may not be able to control many of our circumstances as you read this, but we can always seize the moment. How we decide to react to this event, how we decide to use this time, determines who we are as people. It determines what this tragic outbreak will mean for us. 

It starts Monday, March 30th. Cost is $25 with $5 dollars donated to Feeding America. 

Why not?

Stay whole,

Dad

Bill Gates nailed it - Let's do our best to MIAGM

Good morning Lucy,

Sally and Taylor shared the above TED Talk, 'The next outbreak? We’re not ready | Bill Gates' (~9 minutes). Gates certainly tried to tell us this current situation was coming. This was released back in 2015!

Some key points:

• Today, the greatest risk of global catastrophe is not nuclear war, but rather an influenza virus.
• If anything kills over 10 million people in the next decade, it is most likely to be a highly infectious virus, rather than a war.
• Part of the reason for this is we have invested a huge amount to deter nuclear war, but very little to stop an epidemic.
• We are not ready for the next epidemic.
• A look at Ebola, and how close we came to something similar to what we have today. Three reasons why Ebola did not spread more.
• Our global failure of not being prepared for what is happening today.
• Explains how we could / can build a really good response system using today's advances in science and technology.
• Key pieces of a successful response: (1) Strong health systems in poor countries; (2) Create a Medical Reserve Corp; (3) Pair Medical Reserve with the Military (Pop would love this!); (4) Simulations - Germ games, not war games (Autodesk can help here); and (5) Step up Research and Development in areas of vaccines and diagnostics (Autodesk again see Computational Medicine).

I hope you can find a few minutes to check out the video. In closing, I'm offering a couple of wallet-worthy quotes:

"Don't let the force of an impression when it first hits you knock you off your feet. Just say to it: Hold on a minute; let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test!" - Epicitus

"In the meantime, cling tooth and nail to the following rule: not to give in to adversity, not to trust prosperity, and always take full note of fortune's habit of behaving just as she pleases." - Seneca

These are challenging times LuLu, but let's do our best to Make it a Great Monday.

Much love,

Dad

Fit as a Fiddle - Corona style

Lucy,

Who needs a gym? (Actually, your mom and I really miss our gym!) 

But in the meantime, we have our stretchy bands, some kettlebells, and a few free weights. Plus some foam rollers, my juggling balls, my Orange Whip, and the SuperSpeed Golf training system. And see that TRX RIP Trainer in the middle of the photo with the bungee cord attached? That thing, when properly used, will break any man, woman or child! 

Combine this equipment with the Train 4 The Game videos on their website and you are good to go. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the most recent videos added by our favorite trainers specifically for this time of social distancing.

Want to know more about why T4TG is the world's best gym? Take some time to learn about the owner Todd Wright and his mentor Gary Gray, founder Gray Institute - The Leader in Functional Movement.

Stay well and stay fit,

Dad 

Trials and Tribulations: Never been a better Tuesday to Stay Whole

Lu-boo,

I like this share from my friend Ben Davis over on LinkedIn . . .

"I’m a market realist and unbridled optimist, fairly described as energetic but with a sense of calm. Even I would get anxious if I listened to the non-stop sensationalism on TV right now. Yes, stay up to date & take precautions, but then step away from the TV, Twitter, & other anxiety sources. Read a book, start a company, get outside for fresh air, organize your life. Support small businesses in your city, they need it. Maybe read James 1:2-4 and think, deeply, about the difference between pure joy and circumstantial happiness, and how the former leads to a fulfilling life, the latter, anxiety. These are exactly the times when the difference matters. Take a day (or a week) and don’t even mention politics to others. Try it. We’ll all be better off." #mindset #purejoy #gratitude #opportunity #flipthescript #entrepreneurship

Be safe driving home today from College Station. Your temporary college dorm room awaits. We are excited to see you. And when you get here, we can have some fun with these virtual workouts from Train 4 The Game!

Love,

Daddio

A Monday to make as good as we all can - Mark and Marcus

Mark Roberts, Executive Director, Max De Pree Center and Marcus Aurelius, Stoic Philosopher

Lucy,

As we try to come to grips with this new normal, at least for the foreseeable future, I share guidance from Mark Roberts, Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership and Stoic Philosopher, Marcus Aurelius. 

Starting with Marcus:

"When jarred, unavoidably, by circumstances revert at once to yourself and don't lose the rhythm more than you can help. You'll have a better grasp of harmony if you keep going back to it." 

                                                   - Marcus Aurelius

Read the chapter titled 'Channel Your Energy' (page 114) in Ryan Holiday's, The Obstacle is the Way, one of two Holiday books I gave you for Christmas. There has never been a better time to read the entire book! 

And from Mark Roberts, a longtime favorite going back to his days as Senior Director of Laity Lodge: Leading in a Crisis: The Difference God Makes.

It does not seem quite right to say 'Make it a Great Monday', but make it as productive as possible, considering the circumstances and . . .

Wash your hands,

Dad

Sunday Nugget - lily pads, exponential growth and other stuff to keep you informed

Lucy et al,

Read this Washington Post article: When a danger is growing exponentially, everything looks fine until it doesn’t and learn about this little brainteaser:

Then take time to listen to Peter Attia's latest podcasts with Dr. Peter Hotez and review the show notes. You will then be well informed about this situation.

#97 – Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.: COVID-19: transmissibility, vaccines, risk reduction, and treatment

#98 – Peter Attia, M.D. and Paul Grewal, M.D.: Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQ

Lastly, for some cautious optimism, here's another good read from The Washington Post.

Stay smart and stay well,

Dad

Saturday Nugget - I like this take on Covid-19; plus common sense Spring Break advice

Lucy,

Your mom shared this with me yesterday, and I think it is worth the read. Dr. Jill Grimes, Is It Time to Panic Over COVID19? 

Her short point/counterpoint approach discusses many of the things we have all been wondering about as it relates to the virus. Also, click through to Beyond CORONA…Spring Break Advice. I am grateful you and your friends are grounded and in-line with this common-sense approach to alcohol. But it does not hurt to read and re-read these things!

Love you Lu - Dad

Happy Birthday: 2 for Lu and welcome to your 20s!

March 13, 2000 - Miracle Baby!

Taylor:

I am thankful for Lucy’s recent visit to Atlanta. Lucy came to see us (even if coincidentally) and we were blessed to have some time with her. At the same time, we are jealous of the many fun trips she gets to take!

Lucy is confident in all she does. She knows what she believes in and has spent a lot of time and dedication to develop that self-assurance. And she is encouraging of others to do the same by the example she shows us all!

Mom:

I admire Lucy’s sense of adventure and her ability to organize and follow through on trips and experiences to follow her dreams. Lucy, you are brave, strong, smart and capable and I love that about you. 

Lucy is devout in her faith. You impress me how you study the Bible and truly live God’s Word each day. You are a mentor to your young life students, your friends, and your family. Thank you for being such a great role model.

Sally:

I love how genuine Lucy is about everything she does. She has a contagious smile and a passionate spirit that encourages everyone around her to engage. She is smart and creative and a true servant-leader. I am so proud that she is my little sister.

I love how open-minded and diverse Lucy is. She has an incredible mix of friends - from college, STN, high school, Young Life, etc. She understands the importance of having dynamic friendships and is always willing to try new things and have adventures with new people. This will take her so far in life and her world will be BIG. We all have so much to learn from our LuLu lemon!

Emily:

I LOVE all the times I’ve had with Lucy but especially this past Christmas break when it felt as though, together we could do anything, even a brutal cleanse! I am so lucky to have two sisters who inspire me and that we all push each other to be our best. But, back to Lu . . . I loved experiencing some downtime with her and being able to truly see her drive and passion in everything she does! When she sets her mind to something, she does it. And that is why I love her.

Lucy is wise. I love that she has found an amazing group of friends at college. She has always been someone whom people want in their life. I think she has done a wonderful job of reflecting and understanding who she is and who she wants to be around! Lucy once told me “you don’t have to say yes to everything or everyone and it’s okay to do what makes you happy” - proving that Lu is wise beyond her years (and maybe wiser than me) once again! I’m very proud of her.

Dad:

Twenty years ago today we were blessed with a healthy, amazing third daughter - Lucy May Singletary. I can not imagine our family without Lucy. She has always been wise beyond her years with this sense of awareness and confidence that shines so bright. You make me very happy and proud Lucy! Keep it going.

I can't wait to see what Lucy does in her professional life and her goal of serving others. Her passion for leadership and for giving back is such a gift and it is going to be fun to see where God leads her next! She understands that the path is not always straight and smooth. She has the coping skills for the bumps and the desire to always learn and grow. Press on my daughter and stay whole.

Good silver lining LinkedIn post from my colleague Sigrid Bayer

Hey LuLu,

Please be safe on your journey back to Texas today.

Here's a good LinkedIn post from a favorite colleague, Sigrid Bayer, out of Germany:

"Is there something positive about the #coronavirus? Not sure how everybody is feeling, but watching news, reading articles and newspapers gets depressing, however at #LinkedIn it feels like there is still tons of good news and great things to watch. Who are the winners? The earth, sustainability, less emissions, re-think travel, families and friends who really talk to each other (schools are closed, working from home), shopping at the local farmer, cooking vegetables (sorry the local shops run out of pasta), start producing basic things in your own country again, pay for value? What are your positive thoughts currently?"

My comment: "Great post Sigrid. I'm looking for the lemonade out of lemons right along with you. While concerned for the elderly and the sick, who stand to suffer the most, my greatest hope is that we all rise to the challenge and find ways to turn this situation into a positive. I recently read (Austin's own) Ryan Holiday's 'The Obstacle is the Way' - a great book for times like this. Subtitle: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph. Check it out if not familiar; plus Holiday's latest: 'Stillness is the Key' which carries many of the same themes through on the importance of learning to be 'still' in this busy world. We got this!"

And lastly, this in from Kyle on Hoot Hoot:

Peace,

Dad

SWT: Do good, make money, triumph as a generalist

Hey Lu. I've got two podcasts going this week. The first is above: How to Do the Right Thing . . . and Make Money. "This week on Morning Brew’s Business Casual, Bombas CEO Dave Heath explains why missions to “do good” can coexist with those to “do profit.” I thought you might enjoy it as well.

And also spending some time with this one:

David Epstein wrote a great book called The Sports Gene, that explains the science behind athletic performance. His new book is called Range - Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. 

Peter Attia's conversation here with Epstein is good stuff.

Check these both out when you can and stay whole!

Lucy and friends safely in Breck! - MIAGM

Hey LuLu,

Great to see this picture of you and friends in the mountains. Ann and Clay Slack are sweet friends to let you gals have run of the mill in Breckenridge. 

Stay safe, well, and happy . . .

Dad

P.S. Here's Wehman's second LinkedIn article on his transition from professional golf to business - From Golf to Business: The Importance of Problem Solving. Everybody read, enjoy and post a comment. Wehman is my rockstar LinkedIn disciple. Come on girls!

Below pic is Wehman and Jim competing in Austin Golf Club member-guest this weekend. They finished T2 and no doubt had some great father-son bonding!

Saturday nugget regarding Covid-19 - #patiencenotpanic

Lucy,

Your mom (who I remind you is an experienced medical professional) and I agree with this guy. Here's a letter from Dr. Sharkway that JoJo shared on Facebook:

I'm a doctor and an Infectious Diseases Specialist. I've been at this for more than 20 years seeing sick patients on a daily basis. I have worked in inner city hospitals and in the poorest slums of Africa. HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis,TB, SARS, Measles, Shingles, Whooping cough, Diphtheria...there is little I haven't been exposed to in my profession. And with notable exception of SARS, very little has left me feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed or downright scared. 

I am not scared of Covid-19. I am concerned about the implications of a novel infectious agent that has spread the world over and continues to find new footholds in different soil. I am rightly concerned for the welfare of those who are elderly, in frail health or disenfranchised who stand to suffer mostly, and disproportionately, at the hands of this new scourge. But I am not scared of Covid-19. 

What I am scared about is the loss of reason and wave of fear that has induced the masses of society into a spellbinding spiral of panic, stockpiling obscene quantities of anything that could fill a bomb shelter adequately in a post-apocalyptic world. I am scared of the N95 masks that are stolen from hospitals and urgent care clinics where they are actually needed for front line healthcare providers and instead are being donned in airports, malls, and coffee lounges, perpetuating even more fear and suspicion of others. I am scared that our hospitals will be overwhelmed with anyone who thinks they " probably don't have it but may as well get checked out no matter what because you just never know..." and those with heart failure, emphysema, pneumonia and strokes will pay the price for overfilled ER waiting rooms with only so many doctors and nurses to assess. 

I am scared that travel restrictions will become so far reaching that weddings will be canceled, graduations missed and family reunions will not materialize. And well, even that big party called the Olympic Games...that could be kyboshed too. Can you even imagine? 

I'm scared those same epidemic fears will limit trade, harm partnerships in multiple sectors, business and otherwise and ultimately culminate in a global recession. 

But mostly, I'm scared about what message we are telling our kids when faced with a threat. Instead of reason, rationality, openmindedness and altruism, we are telling them to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested. 

Covid-19 is nowhere near over. It will be coming to a city, a hospital, a friend, even a family member near you at some point. Expect it. Stop waiting to be surprised further. The fact is the virus itself will not likely do much harm when it arrives. But our own behaviors and "fight for yourself above all else" attitude could prove disastrous. I implore you all. Temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. We have an opportunity to learn a great deal about health hygiene and limiting the spread of innumerable transmissible diseases in our society. Let's meet this challenge together in the best spirit of compassion for others, patience, and above all, an unfailing effort to seek truth, facts and knowledge as opposed to conjecture, speculation and catastrophizing. 

Facts not fear. Clean hands. Open hearts. Our children will thank us for it.

#washurhands #geturflushot #respect #patiencenotpanic

A little quiz on Fit as a Fiddle Friday

Lucy,

I've become a fan of a daily news email by name of The Morning Brew. Our neighbor Strat turned me on to it. "Written in a witty and conversational tone, it makes reading the news actually enjoyable." The above is a little Friday quiz from today's Brew. How many can you get right without looking at the answers below? Try out the newsletter here.

Love ya and stay fit,

Dad

Answers: 1. The Geneva International Motor Show 2. Beige Book 3. Eiswein and ice wine are both acceptable answers 4. Usain Bolt’s record speed is 27.8 mph while a Bolt Scooter can go 30 mph 5) Air pollution or nitrogen dioxide, specifically

MIAGM - Everybody Writes

Lucy,

Great to hear about your weekend at Laity Lodge and the 'big person' job for the summer! You are prepared and God has a plan.

I started a new book, Everybody Writes, this morning. At first glance, it seems quite good. I learned about the book from a colleague whom I recently connected with from our Montreal office, Marc Sauro. Marc has moved from a technical sales role to a product marketing role. Marc's LinkedIn profile is well done and I especially like his personal about.me/markbsauro website.

Notice how he uses social media to promote his work and some thought-leadership, with links from the about.me site to other sites like Instagram, Medium, and Twitter. Plus a site called 'Pocket' that looks cool for curating content.  I also like the branding of his name 'marcbsauro'. Very cool and something I would like to do with my gPageSingletary brand!

Take a look and continue to think about how you best create your professional and personal brand online. And check out Everybody Writes when you need a new book.

Make it a Great Monday,

Dad