Pre Game 31
May 26th, 2006 Sarano Kelley
I have been gone for a long time…not just at my journal…in mind. It has been a kind of whirlwind and it all ended with my speaking in Palm Beach Florida and then going straight to Hawaii only to come straight back home. We got home just in time for Brooke to get a root canal. How she was able to work and travel with me while being in intense pain is beyond me. I am fatigued just from the travel alone.
I feel ready to begin my new game. I have had a lot of good and “bad” things happen to me over the last couple of days. On one hand I met a lot of great people, spent time with a CEO I really admire, Vince and then made acquaintance with another CEO who was about as great a man as you get to meet in this world Osworth. I saw old friends like Jason and new friends like my partner Jon and his wife Robin…God it was good to see him…I could of cried but I was busy acting “manly”…Robin is a gift from God, her strength reminds you of some of the great women out of the Bible.
It has taken me a long time to digest my last game…in a very real sense it wasn’t over…I started The Game with the kids and Jon in his battle for cancer and I never really stopped playing…never really “turned” it off mentally. The kids program is now demanding even more time and I have to get it done powerfully while still running a business.
Georgia called me…at first she felt guilty for not calling me for so long…I should be the one apologizing not her…at the same time I hate missing people and then spending my time giving them a hard time for not calling me…it was just good to connect. I think she has made a decision for herself about what she wants her life and her schooling to look like and I admire her courage. Life was simple for me play by the rules or die on the street or worst yet not play by the rules and have my father “kill” me. She has had to think…a painful process and one so few people chose…I struggle myself with “thinking” as oppossed to “obeying”, reacting or living into “other” people’s expectations of how my life should be.
I can’t believe that she called me while driving…my little girl is driving a car…I think I’m still in shock!!! Cars don’t have training wheels!!!
What I am present to from my last game has given me a clear focus in this game. I can see now that I always try to avoid lows and am addicted to highs. I can see now how much I create the drama in my life by the choices I make and the ones I am avoiding. I keep putting off getting married until “this gets done” or “that is where it should be”….I have fallen prey to the mythology of the future and mortgaged my life to it. I have been avoiding stillness…I have been too busy for peace…I have been too concerned with helping to heal…I see that I now face for me the biggest challenge of all…it is continues to come into focus and on Memorial Day it starts.
Game 31 My Last Game
Entry Filed under: Game 31
13 Comments Add your own
1. Patrick | May 26th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Great to hear from you again Sarano. Reading your blog is a great “check in” spot for me and I’m sure many other fellow travellers. So consider this a word (actually several words) of support and encouragement.
Respect, P
2. Tony | May 26th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Sarano—-through all your teachings you continue to struggle with some of the first concepts I ever heard you express. It is blazingly self-familiar territory and something that I continue to work on too. Here is something I told JB some time ago.
” That trap has no bottom. I have been there my friend. When you are in it it feels like there are no choices but to work harder. That little “I” on your shoulder is a persistent one isn’t he?
Stop.
Next week (next month, next year) is there—but
there is no there.
Detach “you” from the tasks–even while performing them.”
Added to that is the question—”how can you learn to love the plateau”?
I think it is a “must” thing to do. Our lives are like seasons. Plateaus, lulls, set-backs are all chances for renewal. They are not failures, they are not lows—they are simply part of the process. When you can get excited about the work—without worrying about the “high” of accomplishment—-well that my friend is truly fulfilling.
So—an assignment for you to keep you on track. Please list (even if only for yourself) in writing 3 things you do during a day that adds value to your life or another’s. I would suggest that you do this everyday for 21 days.
Can you dig it? I know that you can.
GeekBoy
3. JB | May 31st, 2006 at 3:11 am
Welcome back Sarano.
We look forward to your continuing example.
Having had a daughter that graduated from high school last week I understand the feelings you expressed about Georgia. I can tell you that the only thing so far that has felt more strangely sweet than hearing your daughter call you from her own car while driving is seeing her in a cap and gown knowing that her entire “adult” life is now before her and seeing that not only occur to her but see her assume a new stage in her journey.
Then reality hits you and you realize how quickly it all just “happened.” This unconsciousness stuff is for the birds.
Be blessed my friend,
J
4. Ngoki | June 9th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Sarano,
My name is Ngoki (na-KEE). I’m a 50-yr old African (American) man, *happily* living “homeless” in Santa Barbara, California. I am time-free and financially free. The last two years, I’ve made my living playing an African Djembe drum on the street in the heart of downtown. This is my game at this time.
When your book first came out years ago, I briefly looked through it, but didn’t actually read it. A few days ago, thinking about the many ways I’ve heard the word “game” used, I suddenly remembered your book and your name. I found your website, and have been researching and reading everything I can find online about The Game.
I’m finally beginning to understand what The Game is and the real value in playing and winning it. Thank you, for your empowering example!
Peace, Ngoki
ngoki@yahoo.com
888 321-7080
5. JB | June 18th, 2006 at 11:17 am
Happy father’s day Sarano. Best wishes on your new game.
6. Dennis J. Stanek Jr. | July 13th, 2006 at 2:50 am
Sarano,
We met several years ago in Boston at a Tucker Anthony program. I remember your presentation was outstanding. I picked up your book 100 X since then but never comitted to reading it… until this morning. I wrote in my journal tha this is the day I started reading The Game.
One question. I remembered you told us of a friend/colleague/ who had a slogan on the gates of the exit of his driveway. “how many lives will you change today?” or something like that. Would you refresh my mind? The first of 90 days begins now! God Bless
dennis
7. JB | July 18th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Hey coach,
I’ve taken a poll. We miss hearing about your game, learning from your insights and participating in the cause.
How are you doing?
J
8. Frank Andrews Shimkus | August 24th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Sarano;
My name is Frank Andrews Shimkus. I will be starting my “game” on 9/21. Luciano has allowed me the privelege of listening into calls on Monday afternoon af 5 (EDT). It has been an overwhelming blessing.
I have been a TV anchor man for the past 30 years. I am also a part time pastor and recently decided to make a major career switch and run for office. I won a nasty 7 candidate primary for general assembly in Pennsylvania. I still must win in November to go to Harrisburg.
I am writing because I am also very exciting about your NY state school project.
I have been searching my mind for possible funding sources. I will continue to e mail any ideas I have.
You may already know this, but for what its worth, financing will come from positive publicity. Do you have a PR staff? Are you making the rounds on New York state local TV? Radio? New York newspapers? The more buzz you generate, the more people become aware of your project and may want to get in.
My gifts and talents include years of experience in TV at the local network affiliate level. If at any time I can be of any help, please let me know. I am now part of your “family.”
Gratefully
Frank
9. George Nemeth | December 11th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Hope to see more postings here soon. Was on a call today with Tim cheering him on and enjoyed the gift you shared.
10. Jesse Webb | December 24th, 2006 at 10:35 am
Sarano,
Long time no talk. I hope you are doing well. I was thinking about you as I get ready to start a new year and try to get focused on improving my overall life. I went to your website and listened to your keynote. It is amazIng how listening to you during your keynote helps give me extra energy to get focused on my game for the new year. Business has been great since you last coached me! My business is almost three fold from a couple of years ago. Take care and have a wonderful Holiday Season!
Jesse
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13. Chris J Snook | June 25th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I just want you to know that I am thinking of you with fondness, respect, and sending you love. I just used your “Fall Still” wma file on my computer, because I (like you) can and do get caught up in the (path towards future and more), forgeting the sweet smell of the cool inhalation in the “now”. Thanks for the gift, and I will continue to use it daily. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego when you make the rounds.
:)
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