Author: mnhandorf

How Firm Thy Friendship…

On By mnhandorfIn Stories, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’ll never tell someone where to go to college. Or, even if to go at all.

But, if you do go – my one recommendation is: pick a community. The place that feels like home, yet presents just enough uncomfort, and surrounds you with people that help shape you into the best version of yourself. 


For me, that place was Ohio State. A community grounded on tradition, built on excellence, and a respect for the fellow buckeye.


And, the best part? It’s a community that continues to give long after you leave. The tangible: career opportunities or life long friends. But, really the intangible: the moments with those fellow buckeyes that make it all worth it. 


Find that. Go bucks.

_

P.S…. This thought came to me while on a walk to McGees. The Ohio State tavern in Chicago. I wrote it down. And, the buckeyes went on to win by two touchdowns. Seemed like a good enough reason to post it. 1-0….

An introduction to the Stoics…

On By mnhandorfIn IdeasLeave a comment

An ancient concept, but recently introduced to me through the work of Ryan Holiday. I picked up his book, Ego is the Enemy, on a whim (or really like everything else in today’s world – a recommendation saw on Instagram) and then couldn’t put it down. Ryan’s ability to weave historic concepts with modern-day examples is not only approachable; but, creates a fresh sense of empowerment. The “yes, I too can be a stoic” type of feeling.

I’ve since ridden that feeling to learn more. Starting with reading Obstacle is the Way and, now Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Both foundational reads that expanded my perspective, though grounded me in the following:

  • Perception | Action | Will…. control those and you control your life.
  • Life is short and death is near…. don’t live in fear of the latter, instead use it as fuel to ignite the present.
  • Others cannot harm you…. only you can choose to be harmed.
  • Observation without opinion is freedom.
  • And finally, this too shall pass…

A simple subset of what is an endless, tangible framework.

I could go on and have much more to explore, yet above all – one lesson stands above the rest. Whether 2,000 years ago or present day, people face the same foundationational problems, challenges, and fears. I mean, even Marcus Aurelius, the Emperor of Rome, struggled to get out of bed somedays or stay focused on the task at hand (and he didn’t have a cell phone buzzing every 15 minutes). Maybe simple, but these clear examples are why these lessons are timeless.

More to come. NH.


P.S. (he’ll never see this, but thank you to Ryan Holiday)

My Favorite Secret…

On By mnhandorfIn AdventuresLeave a comment

It’s been sometime since my last post… summer showed up and life got “busy”. That was until this past week.

The annual week long trip up to Northern Michigan. A favorite spot to rest, recharge, and reconvene with family.

This year included the traditional stops; a Belaire Brown from Short’s Brewing, a glass of crisp white wine from Bluestone, multiple pretzel bread sandwiches from the Cheese Shanty, and afternoons spent on the lakeshore. All unique, all prime examples of what make Northern Michigan a best kept secret.

And, while each year there appears to be more cars pulling into Fishtown – it still feels like that, a secret. A special place that Kel shared with me many years ago – along with an unspoken responsibility to embrace its way of life and keep my mouth shut 🙂 

Wells (Leland, Michigan – 2021)

This week’s stops.

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A few stops from the week worth sharing:

  1. Le Fournette. Two large coffees. One with light cream. A Saturday morning staple here in Old Town. Hands-down the top coffee shop in Chicago.
  2. Green Street Meets. Rejoice – Chicago restaurants are open again! Where to go first? Easy. GSM for Chi’s best barbeque and a cold Shiner. Highly recommend.
  3. The Lakefront: Chicago was buried in double digit inches of snowfall over the weekend. Harnessing our inner child, Kel and I bundled up and took to the lakefront trail for an urban adventure. We couldn’t help but ask: Chicago or Antartica?

Cheers, Poppy Skip.

On By mnhandorfIn StoriesLeave a comment

Repost in honor of MDW. Written March of 2020 about my grandfather, Skip Handorf.

_____________________________________________________

How often do we experience things for the first time? Furthermore, how often is that “first time” the result of a different intention?

That happened to me recently at my Poppy Skip’s grave. A place I hadn’t visited since a chilly January morning in 2006. The day we laid him to rest.


My grandfather was a passionate man. He was a proud family man, a fierce Marine, and a remarkable storyteller. He loved his family, his business, and, the opportunity to live each day with an appreciation for life. 


He knew what he wanted and he took it. Mind you, this is the man who said “if I want almonds, I’ll eat an almond. If I want milk, I’ll drink milk. Why the hell would I drink almond milk?”

So while I set-out on a mission to thank him at his resting place, I selfishly left with a memory soon not forgot. My first Makers Mark with Poppy Skip…


Pop, cheers to the family name you built and the sacrifices you gave, including serving our country.


NH.

P.S. Poppy Skip taught me more than a few lessons… “I See Better Than I Hear”

Sign of respect.

On By mnhandorfIn IdeasLeave a comment

What is the outcome of your work? A product or service? Maybe, a recommendation? (shout out, consultants)

And, who is it for? A customer or client?

Regardless, we all create or deliver something for someone. We consider their needs, develop a product, and ultimately deliver the result. Will it work? Will they even like it? All fair questions.

But, how often do we stop to ask the simple question – does this result show respect to the recipient?

“What we take, how and what we make, what we waste, is in fact a question of ethics. We have unlimited responsibility for the total. A responsibility which we try to take, but do not always succeed in. One part of this responsibility is the quality of the products and how many years the product will maintain its durability.”

“… To make a high quality product is a way to pay respect and responsibility to the customer and the user of the product.”

– Gransfors Bruk AB (excerpt: Let My People Go Surfing)

“I See Better Than I Hear”

On By mnhandorfIn IdeasLeave a comment

The famous line of my Poppy Skip. A call to be about action over “lip-service” or his words, “bullshit.”

2020 was a hell of a ride. Now, as the calendar turned to 2021, we have all said things to do different or better in the coming year. Me especially.

Personally, professionally, physically, etc. etc. .. the list goes on. But, what does that all mean if not met with action?

“No one is remembered for what they planned to do”

– Bob Goff

Stop for one.

On By mnhandorfIn Adventures, Ideas, StoriesLeave a comment

I am doing this for me. Not to share or show, but to capture my life’s unrefined adventures, stories, and ideas one stop at a time.

What does Stop for One even mean?

  • An attempt to slow the pace of life. To take a moment to sit, detach and enjoy that setting.
  • A call to engage with people from different environments, in different environments, and of different opinions. To consider the alternative.
  • A mission to expand my horizons. To explore new places, food and other delicacies – all while enjoying the simplicity of a cold drink.

So with that, here is to experiencing life one stop at a time. Cheers.

Stop for one. Stay for two. — Mike Handorf