This is great, JP! I really like how you wove together memories of your dad, Star Trek, and your own journey. My mom loved Star Trek, and I remember watching the original series with her often as a child. I love how simple moments can stay with us for a lifetime.
Your piece hit home. The line about fixing the engines long enough to decide where to go is the real question, and you're right to sit with it. For me, it was Picard more than Kirk. The captain who knew when to step back from the console and steer the whole ship. Nothing against Kirk, just difference in age and technology. Amazing how 6yrs can make a difference.
What you're describing isn't just about your dad. It's about becoming the man who passes it on, and that shows in how you talk about your grandkids. You don't need the full answer tonight. Knowing it's the question is already the turn.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. I'm glad the thread about passing it on came through. And I really like your thought that knowing the question is already the turn.
This is excellent JP. I loved the tie in between Star Trek and how you saw you developed into Scotty. There's nothing wrong with being the one that can be counted on, except if you're being counted on in a scenario you aren't particularly passionate about.
I'm similar in that it was always hard for me to decide what I actually wanted to do and kept trying different things on for size because I always seemed to excel at most. So no direction became especially clear.
It was usually a layoff that would result in a pivot point that made me reassess. Sometimes it led me to something I really wanted to do, like when I decided to go into health and wellness coaching and eventually got into leadership there, and sometimes it became what can I piece together to get a decent job to get health insurance (like I am now) without necessarily being on board for the mission.
I know what I want to do "when I grow up," but for now it's got to be on the side. It won't always have to be though. You've given me food for thought too!
Thank you, Melanie. I think a lot of us become known for what we're good at long before we figure out what we really want. I'm glad it gave you something to think about. I hope you get to spend more and more time doing what you already know you want to do. Thanks for sharing your story.
I'm a lifelong Star Trek fan too. In my twenties I had a big crush on Picard, but now I'm more Team Spock. I appreciate his logic, his calm, and his clear affection for Kirk and others around him.
Love the story about your Dad. Five generations traveling the same route is wonderful! Never thought about the Star Trek crew this way before, but the Kirk and Scotty distinction is exactly right. Knowing the question is a step in the right direction. The answer rarely shows up while you're still down in the engine room, because there's too much noise to hear it over. Hope you get enough quiet to finally find your answer.
Great read JP, the self-awareness and insight you share is remarkable. Your storytelling in this piece is excellent and kept me reading to the very end. I like how you framed being the needed one, the dependable one has a cost, and along the way you can lose yourself it it.
This is such a thoughtful piece. I'm going to re-read it a few times, I think. Thank you for pulling on a thread that resonates for many of us - and doing it courageously.
Lovely…enjoyed reading this very much!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
This is great, JP! I really like how you wove together memories of your dad, Star Trek, and your own journey. My mom loved Star Trek, and I remember watching the original series with her often as a child. I love how simple moments can stay with us for a lifetime.
Thank you, TJ. I'm glad it brought back those memories of your mom. Those simple moments seem to stay with us the longest.
JP this is so well written and such a beautiful awareness and I know you will find exactly where your ship is going!!
Thank you, Kurt. I really appreciate that, and I hope you're right.
Star Wars over Star Trek, but all good considering the quality here.
Loved the family stories to give it depth beyond the workplace.
Sometimes, it’s better to be the “with” character in the film title design than the star.
Thanks Carl. Your point about the “with” character made me stop and think. I hadn’t heard it framed that way before.
Your piece hit home. The line about fixing the engines long enough to decide where to go is the real question, and you're right to sit with it. For me, it was Picard more than Kirk. The captain who knew when to step back from the console and steer the whole ship. Nothing against Kirk, just difference in age and technology. Amazing how 6yrs can make a difference.
What you're describing isn't just about your dad. It's about becoming the man who passes it on, and that shows in how you talk about your grandkids. You don't need the full answer tonight. Knowing it's the question is already the turn.
Thank you. I really appreciate that. I'm glad the thread about passing it on came through. And I really like your thought that knowing the question is already the turn.
You are welcome
This is excellent JP. I loved the tie in between Star Trek and how you saw you developed into Scotty. There's nothing wrong with being the one that can be counted on, except if you're being counted on in a scenario you aren't particularly passionate about.
I'm similar in that it was always hard for me to decide what I actually wanted to do and kept trying different things on for size because I always seemed to excel at most. So no direction became especially clear.
It was usually a layoff that would result in a pivot point that made me reassess. Sometimes it led me to something I really wanted to do, like when I decided to go into health and wellness coaching and eventually got into leadership there, and sometimes it became what can I piece together to get a decent job to get health insurance (like I am now) without necessarily being on board for the mission.
I know what I want to do "when I grow up," but for now it's got to be on the side. It won't always have to be though. You've given me food for thought too!
Thank you, Melanie. I think a lot of us become known for what we're good at long before we figure out what we really want. I'm glad it gave you something to think about. I hope you get to spend more and more time doing what you already know you want to do. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks so much JP!
I'm a lifelong Star Trek fan too. In my twenties I had a big crush on Picard, but now I'm more Team Spock. I appreciate his logic, his calm, and his clear affection for Kirk and others around him.
My dad would've agreed with you Shelli. He appreciated Spock for those same reasons. Live long and prosper.
Love the story about your Dad. Five generations traveling the same route is wonderful! Never thought about the Star Trek crew this way before, but the Kirk and Scotty distinction is exactly right. Knowing the question is a step in the right direction. The answer rarely shows up while you're still down in the engine room, because there's too much noise to hear it over. Hope you get enough quiet to finally find your answer.
Thank you. I really like your thought about the answer not showing up while you're still down in the engine room. There's a lot of truth in that.
I love how you connected all the dots on this, JP. Full circle. And then tied it back. Well done!✨
Thanks, Kendra. I really appreciate that. I'm glad it came together for you. 😊
Great story of the time with your Dad that connects you to the man you are.
I think when we understand the type of character we are in our own show it clarifies where we want to go.
Nothing is certain but direction builds momentum
Yeah, I think that’s right, Andrew. You may not know exactly where you’re going, but direction gets you moving.
Great read JP, the self-awareness and insight you share is remarkable. Your storytelling in this piece is excellent and kept me reading to the very end. I like how you framed being the needed one, the dependable one has a cost, and along the way you can lose yourself it it.
This is such a thoughtful piece. I'm going to re-read it a few times, I think. Thank you for pulling on a thread that resonates for many of us - and doing it courageously.
Thank you, Nadia. I really appreciate your kind words. Knowing it's a piece you'd come back to means a lot to me.