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HOW MINIMALISM COULD SAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS THANK GOD FOR DELETED EMAILS!
This summer, a huge chunk of the emails in my inbox disappeared. One moment they were there, and the next — BAM! They were gone, and there was nothing the tech guys could do to get them back. At first, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. To say I was bummed would be a total understatement, and I actually went home from the office to try and get a handle on myself. While I was home, I happened to turn on “10xTalk,” this podcast I listen to by Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan. Joe was talking about a big pile of seminar notes that he had sitting somewhere in his house. He told Dan that one day, he’d use the notes to write a book, and Dan said, “No, you won’t.” Joe actually ended up agreeing with him. Then, Dan went a step further and asked, “Joe, if your notes were struck by lightning and burnt up tomorrow, how would you feel?” I’ll never forget Joe’s response. After a second, he said, “I’d feel relieved!” Man, that hit home for me. I realized that the hundreds of emails in my inbox had been hanging over me just like those notes were hanging over Joe. I wasn’t really upset that they were gone — I was liberated! What did I need a 2-year-old email for, anyway? If one of those people really needed to get ahold of me, they’d probably pick up the phone. That moment was a wakeup call. I realized I was surrounded by so much unnecessary, brain-clogging stuff. It seemed like everywhere I turned, there was more of it. Why did I have so many “favorite” tabs on my address bar? What was the point of keeping all of those papers on my desk? I realized that when something popped up, I needed to take care of it, get rid of it, and move on. Here’s the truth: The closer you get to minimalism, the more baggage you leave behind — literally and metaphorically. I’m seeing that myself as I slowly clear the mountain of papers off my desk. Is it hypocritical to publish an article about minimalism the month after I wrote about having 37 pairs of cargo shorts? Maybe. The truth is, I’m not a minimalist yet, but minimalism is the next-best thing you can do for your
brain after getting organized. I think one of the reasons I struggle with it (and why a lot of other people do, too) is that I grew up poor. When you’re one of the first generation in your family to make money, you start buying stuff with it because stuff equals security. Then, you don’t want to get rid of your stuff because you remember what it was like not to have anything. You’re always chasing the carrot and running away from the whip. When you look at where it came from, that mindset makes total sense. But it’s toxic. Running can get you pretty far in life — I lived that way until I was 50 — but it can’t get you happiness or security. The only way to get that is by looking around and saying, “Okay, I have enough.” If you’ve been working yourself like a dog all year in the pursuit of getting more stuff, I hope you take a deep breath and slow down this Christmas. Don’t kick yourself for relaxing for once. Then, break out those donation boxes come New Year’s. You’ve earned a little piece of mind after surviving 2020. –Jeff Saxby
“Running can get you pretty far in life — I lived that way until I was 50 — but it can’t get you happiness or security. The only way to get that is by looking around and saying, ‘Okay, I have enough.’”
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MAKINGWINTER SPORTSHISTORY
than 20 years, the snurfer became a huge hit. After Poppen licensed his invention to the Brunswick Corporation, over 750,000 units were sold.
SNOWBOARDING COMPANY WINTERSTICK In 1972, Dimitrije Milovich started the first snowboarding company: Winterstick. Wayne Stoveken first introduced snowboarding to Milovich in 1970, and from there, Milovich was hooked. Together, they opened Winterstick. After being featured in SKI and Newsweek magazines, the duo started getting more orders for their unique product. Unfortunately, the sport didn’t take off quickly enough, and Milovich shut down the business in the 1980s. Winterstick was later resurrected by another company and is now a successful snowboarding company. NATIONAL SNOW SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS Champion snurfer Paul Graves organized the first known National Snow Surfing Championship in 1982. Despite its simple setup, 125 contestants showed up to participate in the contest. According to Smithsonian magazine, the event “helped put snowboarding on the map.” Jake Burton, snowboarder and founder of the popular brand that bears his name, took over the event the following year. He renamed it the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championship, which now draws riders from all over the world to participate, as well as thousands of spectators and fans. Since these three momentous occasions, the snowboarding industry has boomed. Now, the sport is enjoyed by people across the world, and it’s even become an event in the Winter Olympics.
Nothing beats breaking out the board and hitting the slopes when the mountains are covered in fresh powder. Snowboarding has become a beloved outdoor winter activity, and there were a few key moments that led to its current popularity. Here are three such moments. THE INVENTION OF SNURFING Although the origin story of snowboarding is still debated today, no one can deny that Sherman Poppen was an important individual in the creation of the board. On Christmas Day in 1965, Poppen decided to bind two skis together and let his children zip down the snow-covered hill near his backyard. Thus, “snurfing” — surfing on the snow — was born! Later, Poppen tweaked the design of his invention, swapping the two skis for one board and attaching a rope in the front to smooth out steering. In less
A HEARTWARMING STORY OF RECOVERY CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: HOW CAMERON SHAW OVERCAME ADDICTION — AND WHY HE NOW SELLS LYNNPRO T-SHIRTS
Is there anything more inspiring than someone turning their life around? We don’t think so! That’s why as soon as we heard our client Cameron Shaw’s story, we knew we had to share it. Cameron is the outreach coordinator for Wings of Life Recovery, a faith- based rehabilitation center for men, women, and married couples in Mobile, Alabama. Wings of Life helps people struggling with addiction get back on their feet with a 90-day recovery program and minister training. Cameron is passionate about its ability to spread hope — and he speaks from personal experience. “I myself came through the program four years ago,” he says. “I was a homeless addict and this place took me in with no money. I was here for four years, and I went and became a minister, then got my associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. I’m currently getting my master’s because of this program, this facility, this ministry, and by the grace of God.” It’s incredible that in 2016, Cameron was homeless and jobless, and now he’s a decorated graduate helping others achieve their dreams! Along the way, his pastor suggested that our T-shirts could help fund the mission of Wings of Life.
“The idea was to start selling shirts to help raise money for the ministry,” Cameron explains. “Now we sell shirts every weekend. I’ve been with Lynnpro for almost two years now, and Liz Holland is the sales rep I deal with. The company does great work and has great customer service.”
That personal attention really hit home for Cameron after a hurricane swept through Mobile.
“Recently, we had a hurricane, and Liz called and sent an email to check up on me and Wings of Life. I really appreciate that. Lynnpro will send thank-yous or appreciate cards, just to say that they appreciate you being a customer. Those things right there have a place in my heart,” he says, adding, “I’ve referred two other ministries to Lynnpro because of Lynnpro’s customer service and the quality of work. They’re very efficient.” It’s been a privilege to work with Cameron. His story is inspiring and so is the work he does at Wings of Life. We’re looking forward to helping with fundraisers for years to come!
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call 251-333-4800 to find out more about Wings of Life.
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THE RIDE MUSTGOON! HOW SPRING CITY CYCLING CLUB SAFELY HOSTED ITS CENTURY RIDE DESPITE COVID-19 2020 was a tough year for Alabama’s cycling clubs. Starting in March, ride after ride was canceled across the state because of COVID-19 concerns. Jamie Miernik, a 30-year member of the Spring City Cycling Club, says that out of the dozens of century rides that crisscross the state, only two went ahead this year. One of them was SCCC’s All You Can Eat Century. Jamie is the ride director, and the 128-year-old club bent over backward to make sure the ride was as safe as possible. “We were able to convince the board that we had things under consideration for all of the ways we could minimize contact. Basically, riding a bike out in the rural countryside is the safest thing you can possibly do,” she says. The setting for the All You Can Eat Century is a perk, even in a normal year. The different courses offered (a 38-mile loop, a 55-mile half-century, a 72- mile super metric, and a 90–101-mile century) all meander through rural Alabama and Tennessee. “The crossroads where the Old Delina Country Store [the ride’s unofficial mascot, built in 1892] has the most buildings you see in one place, and I think it’s three or four,” Jamie says.
The club took this social distancing to the next level by holding pre- registration online, giving riders a window to start the race, limiting rest stops and only offering food in prepacked lunch boxes or individually-wrapped single servings (instead of the ride’s namesake buffets). Staff was limited, and everything took place outdoors. On Sept. 19, 400 people showed up to ride! The ride was smaller than in years past, but it still raised money to benefit organizations like Serving Hope Inc., the Alabama Bicycle Coalition, and NICA high school mountain bike teams who manned the rest stops. Each year, the SCCC AYCE Century has funded many community grants for things such as bike fix-it stations, racks, and safety signs. We’re proud that Lynnpro got to be a part of this resilient ride. In 2019, we printed custom race bibs and wristbands for the riders, and this year, we contributed bibs and logoed T-shirts.
“Becca [a Lynnpro sales consultant] is really nice, and I got the T-shirts very quickly, even when we ordered them kind of late,” Jamie says.
We can’t wait to see more rides follow SCCC’s stellar example next year.
Festive Apple Cider
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If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves
• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks
DIRECTIONS
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.
CAROL CHEER COCOA FAMILY
GIFT HOLIDAY
SHOVEL SLEDDING SNOW TURQUOISE
HOLLY PEACE
3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
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inside this issue
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The Day Jeff Lost Hundreds of Emails — And Why He Didn’t Care The Rise of Snowboarding’s Popularity The Heartwarming Story You Need This Holiday Season How One Cycling Club Safely Hosted a Pandemic Ride Festive Apple Cider 3 Fool-Proof Ways to Pay for the Holidays Without Going Broke
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Ah, the holidays. It’s a time of sweet treats, family, and giving back — and sometimes giving a little too much. When it comes to the perfect holiday gift, many people spend too much money. The average American spends nearly $1,000 on gifts during the December holidays alone!
best gifts don’t even come wrapped under the tree. Instead, look to your own talents as a clue to what you should give. If you’re a great crafter, create something unique for the people on your list. If you can offer the gift of time, provide a free night of babysitting for your friends with kids or an experience at the local theater. These gifts have a bonus factor: Recipients love the gift when they open it, and they love it when they get to use it! SET A BUDGET — AND STICK TO IT. Setting a holiday budget ensures you only spend what you can afford. It also narrows down your search. If you choose to buy your neighbor something, but they aren’t your top priority, set their budget at a lower level, like $25–$50. If you have a sibling who has had a rough year and you’d like to make their holidays a little brighter, bump their budget up. This narrows the focus of what you’re looking for so you don’t stumble into something you can’t afford. Ultimately, it’s the spirit of giving during the holidays that makes them so rewarding. With a little ingenuity, you can be generous and avoid the stress of excess debt come January.
It’s possible to cut back and make it to January without major debt. Here’s how.
3GIFT- GIVING TIPS
CHECK YOUR LIST — TWICE! The list is going to be your secret weapon to tackling the holidays with your savings still intact. Start by writing down the name of every person you’d like to get a gift for. Now, with the exception of your immediate family members, narrow the names down to your top five — top 10 if you’re really popular. Now, place the names of the people who didn’t make the cut into a second list. If you still feel the need to do something for them, send homemade cookies or a handwritten note instead of purchasing something. This limits how much you actually have to spend! THINK BEYOND STORE-BOUGHT OR EXPENSIVE ITEMS. Sure, everyone wants this holiday season’s “it” item, but sometimes the
THAT WON’T KILL YOUR SAVINGS
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