Temple of Constraints

(The Yin Art of Yielding to Yes)

In ten days, near the end of 2020, I lost 4 people who were important to me. Tony Hsieh first gave me a platform for community work, founder of Zappos and Vegas luminary. The very next day, I had to make the call to pull my father from life support; he died of Covid that was brought to Vegas by nurses who thought partying in Mexico was what healthcare workers needed. They got their whole unit sick, including my mother. My father filled my head with beat generation ideas and Bob Dylan lullabies. Then Sean McCabe, who was the heart of the Bay Area immersive scene, was in the midst of making an album and about to strike it rich due to his crypto investments. He was far too young to die but a reckless poet nonetheless? Lastly, my Aunt went into surgery and died of complications at home. There were days I didn’t know how I was standing, but what I did know was that my outlook on life had radically shifted. Luckily I have amazing friends.

As we wound down Sean’s life, we concluded that we should do something epic to mark the passing of a heart who loved so unconditionally. It was in Sean’s act of presence that many people found their voice. In his outrageous personality and commitment to the bit, many people found their permission to play. Sean’s faith in me transcended friendship and became the backbone of my self-acceptance.