Focus On Today First

I did, but it didn't go that well

Woke up to this warning: “Hey ya'll. If you don't already know, there's a Wind Advisory out for all of the mid-south today. Gusts of 40 to 55 mph are very likely. Don't get caught looking ahead to the snow potential. Gusts like this will drop trees and cause power outages. Focus on today, first.”

I’ve heard this sort of thing before: “First things first.” Or, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Even the old recovery maxim,“One day at a time.”

Yep.

I tried my best on this day and my best wasn’t good enough. Good enough for the old me, that is. That dude did not give up no matter how much pain he was in. Until he was bedridden.

So I will have a tomorrow to enjoy or worry about, I’m gonna get to the dang point, put a cold cap on my head, and then watch some fishing shows on my iPad.

Today is January 12th, the start of the pre-release campaign for our upcoming book, Why Everything That Doesn’t Matter, Matters So Much. If you’re the pre-ordering type and wanna lock in that price, come on! Do it here. Make a splash at that digital cash register, and all the other retailers get in line. But what about the amazing brick & mortar bookstores under constant threat by this Goliath? We’re working with them too. And as my vinyl records store friend told me, commenting on the popularity of Taylor Swift vinyl, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” I know, it’s not a perfect illustration, but you get the point.

And then the gift . . . this is where I really hope you’re still reading. Here’s the first chapter for you to sample courtesy of the good people at HarperCollins W imprint.

You’re good people, too. I’m grateful to know you and have your support. Hope you’re getting a three day weekend. Join us in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, and then catch the new Music & Meaning podcast on Tuesday, when “St. Augustine Tunes in to the Top 40.” Special guests include Kevin Max in the role of Augustine and the remarkable voice of Ruby Amanfu singing Tracy Chapman’s classic, “Fast Car,” with my son, and her husband, Samuel Brinsley Ashworth on acoustic guitar.