Summary

The website content details the author's reflective journey through a series of 20 blog posts, spanning over 56,000 words, which explore personal and professional experiences over the past twenty years, emphasizing the themes of reflection, insight, and homage.

Abstract

The author has completed a comprehensive series of 20 articles, titled "#20For20," which serves as a retrospective analysis of their life experiences. This series, which took eighteen months instead of the initially planned six, delves into the author's past, highlighting key moments and the people involved. The articles are a testament to the author's life philosophy and the impact of gradual and sudden changes, as famously quoted from Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises." The process of writing these posts has been both challenging and enlightening, prompting the author to revisit and codify lessons learned, share personal insights, and pay tribute to those who have contributed to their journey. The series is an embodiment of the author's belief in the power of reflection, the uniqueness of individual life stories, and the importance of acknowledging the role of others in one's success.

Opinions

The author acknowledges the compounding effect of decisions and seasons in life, which become evident during significant life events.
Writing the series was more demanding than anticipated, requiring the author to organize thoughts, fact-check memories, and gather reference materials to ensure authenticity and depth.
The author values the act of reflection as a means to appreciate experiences fully, rather than moving on quickly from significant moments.
They believe in the importance of sharing personal insights, considering their life story as a unique blend of calling, environment, seasons, and consequences.
The series is seen as a platform for expressing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others to the author's achievements.
The author subscribes to a philosophy of focusing on actions rather than outcomes, drawing inspiration from the leadership principles of Nick Saban.
There is a strong emphasis on faith and the human will as driving forces for achieving one's vision and overcoming challenges.
The author leaves readers with an excerpt from a personal poem, reinforcing their commitment to perseverance and the strength of their will.

Gradually, Then Suddenly

A completed series of reflection, insight and homage

Post #20 of #20: I am reflecting on twenty years of personal and professional experiences in Birmingham and beyond.

There’s a passage in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises in which a character named Mike is asked how he went bankrupt. “Two ways,” he answers. “Gradually, then suddenly.”

Everyone has an origin story. That story evolves over time as a result of the decision of elders, yourself, and the providence of the season into which you are born. Those decisions and those seasons have a compounding effect that reveals itself most in our life’s inflection points. You know — the big moments that show up suddenly.

Gradually precedes suddenly — always.

This truth has been illuminated more than ever as I embarked on writing my #20For20 series. This series forced me to relive some experiences — some painful, some joyful — and find the throughlines and themes that were not evident while I was immersed in those seasons.

When I conceived this series in June 2020, I naively thought I could write a post every week and finish the series up by December 31, 2020. My goodness — what was I thinking?

I had no idea how much this series would challenge me. Not only was I challenged to write consistently, but every word written conjured memories that bore new relevance in the context of a themed 20-year series. To do it right I needed to organize my thoughts, fact-check selective memories, connect with loved ones and colleagues, and find old photos, news articles, and other referenceable materials.

I was forced to remember mistakes, big wins I previously took for granted and develop story arcs that were coherent, artful and honest.

I had three major goals:

Reflection. I am the kind of person that can power through big moments and then move on to the next one without much pause. Colloquially, we call this “running right by things.” This series was an intentional measure to reflect, codify lessons learned and gain a deeper appreciation for the experience. The very essence of Sankofa.

Insights. I am responsible for my testimony. Absolutely no one else in the world — before me or after me — has the combination of life calling, environments, seasons, and, ultimately, consequences of the aforementioned elements. This is real history. My history. My voice. My perspective. I needed to share these insights.

Homage. I have accomplished or experienced nothing of great significance without other people. They deserve acknowledgment, attribution, and appreciation. Making time to sit in gratitude for a year and a half has been good for my soul and, I hope, good for many others as well.

Here is the full list of twenty, including a number of mini-series for an actual total of 26 posts and 56,686 words!

The Next Twenty Years

Twenty years ago I could not have predicted I would be exactly where I am today. I won’t be so naive as to claim what the next twenty years will look like for me.

That would be as naive as thinking I could write in six (6) months what might actually require eighteen (18) months to do well. Instead, I subscribe to the Nick Saban school of leadership: “Don’t focus on outcomes, focus on the next action.”

That said, I do have a vision for my life. And, that vision is fueled by a rock solid faith in God, in the universe, in providence. I believe that God’s greatest attribute to humankind is the human will.

The will to be, as one faith leader once said, “as low as dogs and as high as gods.” Ultimately, it is all about what I believe is possible!

I leave you with an excerpt of a poem I wrote nearly twenty years ago.

Will to Live (excerpt) Written January 6, 2002

My epitaph will be my will: “I will!!!”

Thank you for joining me on this journey. See you in the next twenty years.

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