September Recap: Stranded and Lost, Hurricanes, Letting Go

Hey Guys,

September was full of ups and downs—emotionally and literally. Here’s how it all went down:

Getting Lost on the Bike Ride
My friends and I did the Virginia Creeper bike trail, and it was a blast All was going well until we got lost... My friend Levi and I had no signal, no maps, and no clue which way to go. When we finally got to my truck at the top of the trail (you park a truck at the top of the trail, and leave a car at the bottom), we were in the middle of nowhere with zero cell service. Then, out of nowhere, Levi's truck made a loud pop under the hood. We had no idea what had happened. On top of that, we were running low on gas, with no idea where the nearest station was.

So, I took the lead and tried to retrace our route, but we were just driving aimlessly down these twisting backwoods Virginia roads, hoping for a miracle. After what felt like forever, with both of us getting more and more tense, I finally managed to flag down a car. Luckily, they pointed us to a gas station (which, thank Goodness, had Wi-Fi). We made it back safely, but honestly, the most intense, and fun part was being lost out there, relying on gut instinct and a bit of luck to find our way.

Zane Leaving
My older brother Zane left for his 2-year mission trip to Brazil, and saying goodbye was way harder than I expected. I know I'll still get to FaceTime him every Monday, but it's not the same as our late-night talks. When it came time to hug him one last time, I couldn’t hold it in. I broke, and cried, realizing I wouldn't see him for at least 2 years, maybe even 4 if I’m on my own mission trip by then. The first night without him hit the hardest. I asked a question, got no answer, and that’s when it really sunk in—he wasn’t there. I cried again that night, but I know it’s good to feel these emotions. I miss him a lot, but I’m also excited for what he's going to do.

Hurricane and Chainsaws
Two days after Zane left, Hurricane Helene hit, the worst in our area in over a century. My dad and I had to chainsaw through our entire road just so we and our neighbors could get to the main road. It was like an apocalypse—broken bridges, fallen power lines, trees everywhere. Thankfully, everyone I know is safe, but let's keep those who were less fortunate in our prayers.

Gallon Jug Showers
With no power or running water, I’ve had to take rainwater showers using a gallon jug. Never thought I’d appreciate a cold shower so much, but it’s a blessing after days without one. Still no power as I write this, just running off a generator for the fridge and Wi-Fi. Hopefully, it posts 🤞

Rainwater Collector
We came up with an idea to attach a hose to the gutter to fill up a barrel with rainwater. I rigged it with some rope to keep the hose in place. It’s simple, but I’m pretty proud of how it worked out. Thanks to young me back when I was a little cub scout.

Entrepreneurial Meetup
Went to a startup business meet up with my Dad and got to hear from speakers like Noah Kagan, author of Million Dollar Weekend. Here are some takeaways I wrote down for you guys: (Last one is my favorite)

• Great people want to grow.

• If you don’t quit, you don’t lose.

• Start a business like it's a practice. What do you have to lose?

• Ask for feedback and take it.

• Don’t be afraid to just ask for what you need.

• Find happiness in what’s already happening.

• Every problem is a business opportunity.

• The world is pushing us to be average.

That's September for you—physically and mentally challenging, but full of lessons. Thanks for sticking around to read this month's wild recap.

Catch you next time,
Michael

michaeljamesshaw.com