Fruit of Our Labor ⛏️
And minding your own business
“Is there a particular author whose book you’re excited for?”
I’ve gotten that question a few times since launching our publishing company, Streamline, over the past few years. We’re happy to help all of our authors. But yes, every once in a while…there is a book I’m particularly drawn to on a personal level.
You don’t know the name John Richie. But he lives in Atlanta. And he’s dying.
Yes, I know we’re all dying—but John has terminal cancer, and although he’s undergoing a unique kind of treatment, his numbered days are what led him to commit to our process to bring his book to life.
The front matter of John’s book has stuck with me thus far—though his manuscript is wonderful and different than any other book we’ve helped with. The “Advance Praise” section (just a few quotes above) from ordinary business owners in Atlanta showcases what John Richie, a man you’ve never heard of, means to them.
The beauty is that John isn’t concerned about what the world thinks of him—he has been focused on the work placed before him, which is to coach and spend time with leaders in and around Atlanta over the past 20 years.
John doesn’t have social media, a personal website, or a mass following.
He has simply minded his own business and served those to the best of his ability—truly living according to *eulogy virtues* we should all aspire to. I’m placing a link to the rest of the front matter below. His book will release later this fall.
Over the past few months, we have had a business coach leading us through GiantOS. The graphics Giant uses are simple yet direct, and very good not just in business but in life and our relationships.
Each year I get older, I’m more convinced of “going to the source” in good things, yes, but especially in conflict. It’s a wonder what can be accomplished through humility and forgiveness, but that can’t happen when you’re talking to anyone except the source.
Lauren and I watched It Ain’t Over about Yogi Berra. (10/10 doc). The riff between Yogi and George Steinbrenner kept Yogi from visiting Yankee Stadium for 14 years…until someone encouraged the two of them to go to the source.
If you haven’t already, watch that documentary. And if you haven’t already, go to the source.
Every few months, I think about the Amazon rainforest—and what it would be like to go there and just…walk around. Lauren is quick to remind me of how terrifying that would be, and the other night we watched a video that confirmed her suspicions.
Don’t worry about the last 37 minutes of this video. But the first 10 will make you feel something.
Lauren has done a great job finding art for our new home. She found this artist, and reached out about the painting—Coco responded with the following:
Hello Lauren! The of Our Labour was inspired by 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12: “…and to make it your ambition to lead a quet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Music: New Tobe and Penny & Sparrow. Also found William Augusto who has some great work/background instrumentals (like a 3-hour track on Spotify) that has been nice.
Food: Lauren and I started Whole30 this week for the first time in ~5 years. We feel…due for a *change* I guess. Gladly taking any recommendations, or I’ll just keep sucking on frozen grapes. Also excited to dive into this (Whole30 approved) variety pack of Pur gum.
Podcasts: I mentioned the Pause App a few weeks ago, and I’m going through their (free) 30-day program on Resilience.