Happy New Year!!
Last week, I told you I was going to be changing the name of this email to "Recalculating". This followed a period of many months where I was struggling with the question of whether I was finished writing about mortality. I settled on "Recalculating" because I really like the metaphor that life is a road-trip, filled with detours and unexpected side-trips - therefore we need to embrace the idea of "Recalculating" (said in the computerized voice of your GPS). The metaphor is simple, easy to understand and not particularly threatening.
So... I set out to change the name of the email. I created a new logo and header. (I found a nice, simple compass icon.) I wrote an introductory message explaining the transition. Once I had all the pieces in place, I logged in to Substack to make the changes and schedule the message to be sent this morning.
Only then did I discover that someone else was already using that name on Substack!
Of course.
For a minute, I thought to myself, "No problem. This is just one of those unexpected "road closed" signs that you occasionally come across. I simply need to recalculate! Find another name."
But that perspective left me feeling flat.
And that's when the deeper truth hit me.
While I've been struggling with the notion of shifting my focus away from mortality, I was simply slipping into the world of the Immortals, turning my back on mortality and trying to pretend that it doesn't exist, simply because it's challenging and makes people uncomfortable. (And yes, it also makes ME uncomfortable from time to time.)
But this is who I am. I'm Mortal.
I’ve been this way since I was born and I’ve known about it every day of my life since I was 18.
And this is why I'm here. This is what I do.
Of course 'Recalculating' was taken. Because it's a concept that can be discussed by anyone at all. I owe it to myself to discuss the topic that I was literally born with.
And I owe it to YOU to speak directly from my heart (literally and figuratively!)
As I was reflecting on all of this, I was reminded of the wonderful and poetic review that author Mike Dooley gave me for my book. (It's on the back cover)
A new perspective on the greatest gift of all. Let Patrick walk you to the edge and back again, so that you might begin using your wings before you have to.
That’s what I do.
And that’s what I’m going to keep doing!
-Patrick
Well, here we are again.
Personally, I'm glad you're keeping the name. I felt let down when I read that last week. The concept of mortality is what drew me to you years ago. I've been living like I'm mortal ever since. It was always meant to be that way.