Reclaim the Moment

Setting the Stage: Lying to Yourself Is Dangerous

“You can’t fight what gives you life. That’s treason.”¹

– Naked Raygun, “Treason”

WRITING THIS BOOK almost killed me.

That's not a statement about my work ethic, which wavers between laser-focused and distracted by everything. It's a literal statement about me, in the early process of figuring out how to write this book, almost becoming actually dead. Good times.

I seem to have a habit of getting hit by cars. I wouldn't recommend it. There are countless other hobbies you might like better, from coin collecting to baking. But for a while I was seemingly really good at being in the exactly wrong place at the exactly wrong time.

To be clear, not getting hit by a car is actually very easy. I could draw you a diagram, but instead I will just describe it simply: When a car is coming at you, gently step approximately 3 feet to your left or your right of the car. Your choice. You can't go wrong either way. The idea is to let the car pass without directly impacting your body and causing you to be seriously wounded or dead. It is simple in theory. At least it is for most people.

It was my fault really, looking back. Strange things happen when we aren't honest with ourselves. Have you ever gotten off track because of a lack of focus, and then only later realized just how far you'd strayed? This is happening more and more, everywhere I look. I can definitely relate, because a few years ago I was so off track that I decided I wanted to ...