We get to do this
A reminder from Kat Jackson / Issue 1,199
Oh, hi friends!
We get to do this.
I’m cautiously entering the week — feeling behind on book stuff and life maintenance, slacking on my culture vitamins aka reading, writing, seeing — and while I searched for some words of wisdom or at least an amusing animal photo* to share with you, all I could think of was:
We get to do this.
The hard stuff to manage, the problems to work out, the connections we make…
We get to do this.
I interviewed Kat Jackson, who’s the senior director of Audible Studios, for my podcast this week, and she mentioned this belief a few times.
It’s the way she picks herself up while competing in an eight-hour Tough Mudder obstacle course.
It’s the way she moves through her work, where she gets to help people tell their stories in inventive, exciting, intimate ways.
Remembering that you get to do something means leaning into the pleasure, satisfaction, and privilege that you have a choice—and this is what you’re choosing.
That sounds like a solid way to enter Monday.
With eyes open.
With some gratitude.
With the reminder: We get to do this.
My 20-minute chat with Kat is out today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, my website, or your favorite podcast platform. I really loved this conversation. Hope you might be equally as inspired!
And shoutout to Carrie Seim, who I interviewed on the podcast back in December, for connecting us. Another lesson: Great people know great people.
*Animal photo, as promised, I’m not a monster:
We live in a world where hedgehogs exist. 💜
I feel this today! I have 5.5 more days until I get on an airplane for a huge move. I am excited, but they emptying of closets then tossing, donating and packing what is extracted from said closets, is tiring. Especially during a tropical storm! The reality of leaving coupled with the sadness of leaving can cloud the excitement and joy of "I get to do this!" So thank you for the reminder.
Also, I burst into tears at Trader Joe's yesterday. I saw my favorite TJs worker, Miguel, and suddenly realized this could be my final visit after going to that exact store for 25 years!! He always brought my daughter lollipops and always had a smile and laugh and a quick chat. We hugged!
And I get to do this!