From Sole to Somm

What’s Your Copper Wire?

Chapter 1

Finding My Grounding Wire. You know how copper wire connects and stabilizes electrical systems? Well, I got to thinking – we all need something like that in our lives. Something to keep us steady when the world goes a bit crazy. So, I decided to sit down and really ponder this big question: What grounds me?

It’s funny, isn’t it? We spend so much time running around, chasing after goals and dreams, that we sometimes forget to check in with ourselves. To figure out what keeps us anchored when life starts throwing curveballs.

I thought this was such an important topic that I wanted to kick off with it, even before diving into my family history. Because let’s face it – to write with clarity, you need a clear mind. And to have a clear mind, you need to be grounded.

Now, I’ll be honest. I wish I’d thought about this earlier in my life. But hey, better late than never, right? Here we are, ready to explore what keeps us centered and balanced.

So, I’m throwing this question out there: What keeps you anchored when life gets overwhelming? Is it family? A hobby? Maybe it’s as simple as a daily walk in nature or a cup of coffee in your favorite mug.

For me, well… that’s what we’re about to dive into. Because understanding what grounds us isn’t just about feeling good – it’s about building a foundation that can weather any storm.

Stay tuned, folks. We’re about to get real about finding our own personal grounding wires in this wild electrical system we call life.

The Importance of Grounding

You know, grounding isn’t just for electrical circuits. It’s essential for our well-being too—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s that feeling of being connected to something bigger than ourselves. Just like a circuit needs a copper wire to function properly, we need our own grounding elements to navigate life’s twists and turns. It’s also something (or someone) you can turn to when you start going down that proverbial rabbit hole.

I’ll be honest, I found myself tumbling down that rabbit hole quite a bit in the last few years. Losing a career I held dear for 19 years? That hit me hard. I couldn’t seem to come to terms with it. But through therapy, I learned to shift my focus. Instead of dwelling on what “they” did to me, I started to appreciate what that career did for me. It’s amazing how a change in perspective can lift you out of that hole.

Learning something new turned out to be a great grounding technique for me. I dove into a 6-month wine course to snag that elusive Sommelier Pin. Was it tough? You bet. But man, was it rewarding. Now I can chat about wine and food pairings with confidence. It even helped boost my writing confidence a bit.

Re-connecting with friends and family? That was another big one for me. I’ll admit, I wasn’t the best at keeping in touch when I was caught up in the corporate world’s deadlines. But now? I’ve grown closer to my friends and family than ever before.

So, here’s the thing: finding what grounds you isn’t just about feeling good in the moment. It’s about building a foundation that can weather any storm life throws your way. Whether it’s learning a new skill, strengthening relationships, or finding a new passion, your grounding wire is out there. You just have to plug into it.

What Grounds You?

Take a moment. Think about what brings you back to your center. Is it the laughter of friends? The quiet of nature? Maybe it’s diving into a creative project that lights you up inside. Whatever it is, these moments are your lifelines. My problem is, I have several grounding elements, which one do I choose first. Well, there are grounding elements for each situation, so it’s good to have a few in your toolbox.

Finding Your Copper Wire

Alright, let’s dive into finding our own “copper wire” and get grounded. Let’s break it down and explore each point.

Journaling or Meditation: The Power of the Pen

For me, journaling is like having a heart-to-heart with myself. It’s my go-to for clearing my head and getting centered. I’ve got different topics I write about too – from my family history to mentoring others (which was my passion in my previous career) to my love affair with pairing wine and food. It’s like having different channels for different moods, you know?

Activities That Fill the Tank

Now, here’s the simple truth: if it makes you happy and fills you with joy, do more of that. Period. For me, it’s a whole buffet of things:

• Traveling to new places
• Goofing around with my pup, Teddy
• Visiting my daughter and son-in-law to see my grandson Michael
• Catching up with my son James and seeing his art progress
• Puttering around in my yard
• Hiking in the mountains or fishing in a lake
• Attending a football game with friends
• Writing (of course!)

But you know what tops the list? Every moment I spend with my amazing wife, Linda. Whether we’re doing any of the above together or just having a quiet evening with great food and amazing wine, those are the moments I cherish most.

The Support Squad

Besides family, it’s those friends who make me smile. Here’s a little nugget of wisdom: the world’s got enough political nonsense, so when I’m with friends, I like to focus on our friendship. Sure, if you’ve got similar beliefs, it’s nice to bounce ideas off each other. But don’t let that stuff hijack your precious time together.

Finding Your Peace Place

For me, it’s easy. I’m lucky enough to live with an incredible Interior Designer (thanks, Linda!), so she’s created a space that just oozes tranquility. Our backyard is like a little slice of paradise:

• Palm trees surrounding the property for that “resort” feel
• Waterfalls cascading into our pool, creating a Zen-like vibe
• My BBQ Island (a passion of mine)
• And that golf course view? Cherry on top!

Starting the day with a nice cup of coffee, my doggy, and sometimes Linda joining us – that’s my happy place right there.

Staying Grounded: The Daily Practice

Look, you can’t be grounded 24/7. But my daily practice? It’s about diving into a project or task, and if things get too stressful, taking a moment to ground myself. It’s all about putting a little perspective back into your day.

Sometimes, I’ll even switch between grounding activities. Maybe I’ll start with one, take a break with another, and then circle back to finish the first. There’s no rulebook here – do what works for you.

Once you’ve pinpointed these grounding elements, try weaving them into your daily routine. Pay attention to how they shift your perspective and impact your overall well-being. It’s like finding your own personal reset button.

Remember, this journey of self-discovery and grounding is all about you. So explore, experiment, and find what makes you feel centered and alive. Your “copper wire” is out there – you just need to plug into it.

The Role of Relationships

Don’t forget that grounding can come from all kinds of relationships—not just traditional family ties. Stepparents, mentors, friends, or even pets can offer that sense of stability we crave. For me, my stepmother is a great example. I check in with her every now and then, and it helps me feel closer to my dad, who passed away in 2015.

Sometimes friends go above and beyond too. I’ve always been close to my friend Pam and her husband Jerry, but without the fog of work clouding our conversations, we have amazing chats. It’s refreshing to connect without “work” being part of the equation.

Then there’s my friend Kristin, who used to work for me. You never really know who will stick around after a job ends. Kristin left Zappos before I did, and she’s been fantastic at sharing updates about her life with her adorable son Ford and husband Joey. I appreciate them more than they know. There are plenty of other examples too, but these two really stand out for me—they were there for me when times were tough.

My long-time mentor Rob is another key figure in my life. He’s both a mentor and a friend. Living in the Eastern time zone has its perks; I can call him in the morning, and it feels just like old times when we used to see each other more frequently. He hasn’t changed a bit—always knows how to make me laugh.

Reflecting on these connections really highlights how they contribute to my grounding experience. They remind me that stability can come from various sources, not just the conventional ones. Whether it’s family or friends, having those solid relationships makes all the difference in navigating life’s ups and downs.

Conclusion

Alright, let’s wrap this up and put a bow on it. After diving into this chapter, I want you to take a moment and really think about what grounds you. What’s your copper wire in life’s electrical storm?

For me, writing is like a soothing balm. It calms me down and gets the gears in my head turning. I’m setting off on this new adventure, putting my life story and lessons learned down on paper. Why? Well, partly for future generations – so they can get a sense of where it all began. But also, because I think there’s some wisdom worth sharing from my journey.

Identifying your grounding elements isn’t just a feel-good exercise. It’s about building a rock-solid foundation that’ll keep you steady when life throws you curveballs. And trust me, it will.

Maybe your grounding wire is family, or a hobby, or your pet. Maybe it’s a mix of things. Whatever it is, once you’ve figured it out, you can lean on it when things get tough.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. What grounds me might not work for you, and that’s okay. The important thing is to find what works for you and make it a part of your daily life.

So, take some time to reflect. What helps you feel secure when everything else seems chaotic? What brings you back to center when you’re feeling off-kilter? Those are your copper wires, your grounding elements.

With that bit of wisdom shared, let’s get this show on the road. We’ve got a whole journey ahead of us, filled with stories, lessons, and maybe a few laughs along the way. So buckle up, folks. We’re just getting started.