“The Tau of Steves: What You Don’t Know Could Fill a Book”
Spring
May 2019
This life of crime is rubbing off on me in more ways than one. Seven months ago the love of my life, Emma the Baroness, and I celebrated our anniversary in Italy. We loved Tuscany. Who wouldn’t, right?
In my Kindle notes I’ve been collecting phrases from authors like Dan Brown — “The Inferno” and his “Lost Symbol”.
Welcome to “Day 42 of My 1-Year Experiment”on May 31st. Today’s writing tutorial example, comes from “The Broker: A Novel” by John Grisham set in Tuscany.
“Listen to the sounds, the rapid chatter of friends, the laughter, the guy over there whispering into a cell phone, the pretty waitress calling into the kitchen. Take in the smells—the cigarette smoke, the rich coffee, the fresh pastries, the warmth of an ancient little room where locals had been meeting for centuries.”
This Holiday Tau for Zahn, Winkler, Emma the Baroness and me reminds me that you can’t buy happiness, unless you shell out the big bucks for three weeks in Italy. Happiness is a byproduct of cherished memories and paying it forward moments.
“3” Steve Zahn, 51: “Purposefulness makes you happy, but happiness doesn’t make you purposeful. That’s why happiness is a famously terrible aim.” Scorpio
Random ones that make me want change my sign.
Researchers note: Sometimes when the strength of the Holiday Tau is weak, I tend to collect a half a dozen or more to make up for it. I already noticed that occasionally I can thread together a string of Tau Bits swiped from Steves for a collective group wisdom greater that the sum of its parts. Today is not one of those days.
“3” Steve McQueen (1930 – 1980): “Different spiritual elevations fit different times of life. Don’t strive, push, or believe you should be anywhere but where you are.” Aries
“2” Steve Smith, 30: “When it comes to your own motivations, you’ll be brutally honest, rooting out fear, resistance and anything standing in the way of your desired result.” Gemini
We’ve already established that more frequently than not I show up as an introvert. Introverts recharge their batteries not by plunging into social activities and large groups of people like extroverts do.
The irony of my work life is for a profession I taught, facilitated and spoke in front of audiences. Each time by the end of the session I felt feverish, light-headed and barely able to put two sentences together. I needed a long moment of solitude to regroup my energy.
“5” Steve Howey, 42: “The notion that personal space is sacred is a learned concept. You’ll need more space today. Claim it, and then protect your claim.” Cancer
Maybe, maybe not.
“2” Steve Greene, 34; Steve Guttenberg, 61: “You can see success in your mind’s eye and position yourself to head right into it. Once you’ve established this, any other direction you go is a function of fear.” Virgo
Wait. If you combine G&G’s Holiday Tau with Aoki’s then the TauBit threads weave a better story. Fear, check. Missed opportunities, check. Being foolish, check and check.
“4” Steve Aoki, 41: “If you don’t take the opportunities that come, you’ll regret it. If you do take them, and they wind up being foolish, that’s still better than having no story to tell.” Sagittarius
Initially I vacillated about including Harvey’s Holiday Tau. Now, I know why.
“2” Steve Harvey, 62: “The impulse to share is telling. You’ll learn what moves you. You’ll also learn who you really care about.” Capricorn
Which leave’s me with one of my innovative heroes who lived a non-heroic life, especially how he treated his daughter. But, I’m a big picture kind of guy who is always on the look out for filling the details.
“4” Steve Jobs, (1955 – 2011): “While it would be cool to get the insider scoop, without a solid understanding of the big picture, the details won’t matter.” Pisces
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Inspired by: Holiday Mathis – Creators Syndicate