Good morning! It’s Wednesday, May 7th, and let’s get this blog off to the races. DJ play that music. It seems like a good morning for some Rush.
Alcohol. Update
In early January, I began what was meant to be a typical Dry January alongside everyone else, but I decided to extend it beyond the month. I enjoyed how it made me feel, which aligned perfectly with my weight loss and fitness goals at the time. My gut health improved, and I appreciated the sense of calm and clarity it brought.
On my wife’s birthday, I stuck to Guinness Zero and have since discovered a variety of enjoyable non-alcoholic drinks, including some creative “mocktails.” Recently, we had pizza with friends at their home, and I brought along two cans of Blue Moon Non-Alcoholic, each just 50 calories. I felt content with my choice. On rare occasions when my wife and I go out for a Friday evening or a special occasion, I’ll venture and have a drink or two. Moderation. Here’s the thing. The very next day, I wonder why I bothered at all with it.
Are we, as a culture, so wanting to run away from our lives that we need alcohol as an escape?
I’m a fan of Chris Williamson and his ‘Modern Wisdom’ podcast. He had a good listen with Andrew Huberman on alcohol.
I mean, sure, it might loosen people up, but at what cost? The temporary buzz often leads to regret, misunderstandings, or worse. Isn’t it better to have meaningful interactions when everyone’s fully present and aware? Genuine connections don’t need a drink to thrive—they need honesty, respect, and real engagement.
I had started this journey of fitness and weight loss and had seen great progress. Then, a close friend of mine suffered a heart attack, which truly put things into perspective. It became clear that I needed to commit to these changes and make them more permanent. At the very least, as Huberman suggests, limit it to two drinks a week. But even then, I find myself questioning the purpose of it all. Is it just about living longer, or is it about living better? Perhaps it’s both, and maybe this journey is about finding the balance between health and enjoyment—creating a lifestyle that feels sustainable and fulfilling.
Not long ago, I was present in the room when a cardiologist was speaking to my friend who had recently suffered a heart attack. His advice centered on moderation. When asked about Diet Coke, he simply replied, “I have one with lunch.” He doesn’t go home and down a twelve-pack. Steak? Occasionally, yes—but not three times a week. That said, I know plenty of full-blooded Irish lads who thrive on steak-and-potato diets and have lived remarkably long lives.
It made me think about how much of life is about balance. We often get caught up in extremes—cutting out entire food groups, overindulging, or obsessing over the latest health trends. But maybe the key lies in simplicity and moderation, as the cardiologist suggested. Enjoy the things you love, but don’t let them consume you. Life isn’t about deprivation or excess; it’s about finding that middle ground where you can be happy and healthy.
That reminds me of an old Irish joke. What’s an Irishman’s 7-course meal? A six pack of beer and baked potato.
Moving on….
It feels like there’s an expectation for leaders to have all the answers, but isn’t it more human to admit when you don’t know? There’s strength in humility, in saying, “I’ll find out,” rather than pretending to be an expert in every field. It builds trust and shows authenticity—qualities we could use more of in leadership today.
The Pakistan-India development is troubling, and who knows where this will end up? It could get very deadly with lots of casualties.
Anyway – have a good Wednesday, everyone!