My Mike Gundy Birthday

#43

Friend,

Yesterday, I had my “Mike Gundy" Birthday. My son Micah drew this picture of me as Mike Gundy with an anime flair.

For my birthday, I took a little time to write down 40 Things I've learned by 40.

1. Be curious. People are fascinating and wildly different.

2. Be hopeful. It's more powerful than you think.

3. Humility is the most Christ-like way of being in the world.

4. Wake up and write. It's helpful to get your thoughts out of your head.

5. You can't fake joy, so look for it and share it with others.

6. Jesus is enough. You can trust him. He's good.

7. Stretch. Trust me.

8. Drink more water and log your food. You can't always eat like you're 15.

9. Journey > Destination.

10. Allow sports to make you happier, but not sadder.

11. Seriously, your team is statistically unlikely to win the championship.

12. Perspective is powerful. How you see something determines what you see.

13. Fear is real. Name it to help tame it.

14. There are many things you can't control and that's ok.

15. Acknowledging powerlessness is a blessing.

16. Surrender is not giving up. It is giving over.

17. Have a few people that you are ruthlessly honest with.

18. Practice silence especially if you hate it.

19. The Bible is often weird and regularly wonderful.

20. Be around people that make you think differently.

21. What most people call love is actually desire.

22. What is actually love is so much more.

23. Children laughing is the best sound in the world.

24. Breakfast is the best meal.

25. Read a book more than once to truly get it.

26. Politics is about winning power.

27. Christianity is about loving others.

28. That's why they don't play well together.

29. Grace is more than you can imagine.

30. Forgive yourself. Let yourself off the hook.

31. Seriously, you probably did the best you could back then.

32. Be honest with people and yourself.

33. What seems obvious to you is rarely as obvious to other people.

34. Tell stories. People love stories more than a list.

35. I don't know your story, but I know that you have one.

36. Everyone should go to counseling.

37. Ask great questions.

38. A little kindness goes a long way.

39. Take a walk. It's great for your body and your brain.

40. Resurrection ensures there is always hope.

Love,

Aaron