Bigger Things #61 - "Seal the Juices In" To Any Experience
How to turn the ordinary into memorable, extraordinary experiences
When searing a steak, there is an effect called the Maillard reaction that causes the golden brown colour on the outside of the steak and is responsible for “locking in” or “sealing in” the juices.
Over the past few days, many people have asked how the boys graduation week was and I couldn’t help but use the analogy that,
the boys’ school did an amazing job through grad week to “seal the juices in”; to memorialize, crystallize, commeroratize (probably not a word) and finalize their high school years and ensure life long relationships and connection with classmates and the school.
The way that the boys school made it so special is the same way we can make every ordinary experience special through:
Ceremony
Community
Commemoration
Thankfulness
Celebration
We constantly have opportunities in life to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Doing so is less complicated than we expect if we simply add a little thought and intention to our everyday lives and experiences.
Let me give you some examples.
Ceremony
When my boys were first selected to play Representative (Travel, Competitive) Hockey we had a “Signing Day” ceremony at our house. They each already knew that they had made the team but to give them their new jerseys, we had a “signing day” ceremony at home.
Similar to the NHL or NFL draft, there was a video presentation followed by “drafting” each of them to the Northumberland Nighthawks. They came forward and received their Nighthawks jersey and hat.
We gave ceremony to their hockey selection to give it greater value and importance.
What seemingly insignificant thing is coming up in your life that you could add some ceremony and additional meaning to?
Community
Much of the memory of any experience is defined by the people that were there with you. It is why I often use the expression - Adventure Together.
Experiences tend to be more valuable, more intense, more enjoyable when we do them with others.
As I’ve explained in the past, we spend a fair bit of time intentionally planning activities with our boys and their friends, with our friends.
What adventure or experience could you plan with others?
Commemoration
My boys LOVE pro sports and they and their friends planned a “Dads & Boys - Baseball Roadtrip”.
Three Dads and six boys drove around America debating the best stadiums and best hot dogs.
Every year the boys and Dads signed the baseballs and now they sit on our fireplace mantle to commemorate the trips to Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, Baltimore and Pittsburg.
Another great example to commemorate experiences is, a really good friend of mine, James, takes photos everywhere we go. It sounds simple but literally every run, ride, dinner, everything… he always takes a photo. That encouraged me and reminded me to take way more photos to commemorate dinners, travel, and experiences.
What simple ways could you commemorate an event or experience?
Thankfulness
A huge part of any event or adventure is the thankful anticipation and reflection. Thankfulness beforehand and anticipation and intention which heightens the experience. Thankfulness after is valuable to remain grateful and grounded. To celebrate the journey.
This is a large part of why saying a simple grace before meals is a powerful ritual and tradition in our family. When new friends of the boys come to our place for dinner for the first time, they often snicker at the grace on meal one but after a few meals with us, they are the ones telling my boys to stop eating and to wait for the grace. I love that.
What are you most thankful for - either in anticipation for things coming up in your life or things that have recently happened?
Celebration
When great things happen in our lives… it’s time to celebrate and have a party! Take the ordinary and make it extraordinary by adding celebration to it!
Have a really fun party, great music, good food and drinks, have a bonfire.
Be intentional about it, go into the event with an attitude that you are going to have the best time ever. Show up ready to play and party!
What’s coming up in your life that you could add celebration to?
I hope this gives you some ideas and examples of way to “sear the juices” into your life’s experiences. To make life more exciting and memorable.
To create and commemorate your Bigger Things.
Have an awesome week everyone, we are on an amazing adventure this week, can't wait to tell you about it next week!
It’s going to be epic!
To Your Bigger Things,
Brad 💕👊
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OMG, seriously, you are an amazing Dad. My kids are in their 30s, and I feel like slapping myself for missing some of the things you've done, which all seem to come so naturally to you. Incredible! These years with kids really do fly by. It feels like just yesterday they were taking their first steps, and now they’re grown up. This was a beautiful reminder to savour every moment, and don't forget some will be tough ones. Time moves quicker than we think!
Thanks Glenn! I thankful I happened to have some really great coaches and mentors along the way…
And it’s never too late w our kids and grandkids.