The story behind this campaign...
Personal fitness is one of my interests and I’ve found it helpful recently to get at least one big adventure on the calendar each year to assess myself, but more importantly give me a reason to do the physical work it takes to prepare! The most recent challenge was a multi-day backpacking trip in the mountains near Durango with some old friends. Along the way, between the trailheads, switchbacks, and catching our breath, we got to talk a bit about life in this second half that we’ve all entered. We came away from the trip agreeing that finishing well isn’t automatic, nor is it natural for us or the rest of mankind.
A Christian world view would argue that it’s only by a divine intervention and divine grace that we are able to do what is unnatural. The same view also reminds us that, ‘to whom much is given much is required’. (Luke 12) These red letters have been with me ever since I first heard them in Baylor’s chapel service as a freshman; continuing their effect, teaching, rebuking, correcting and training me in those moments when ease and comfort were the natural options. Add to that calling, our human condition—that we are not all-knowing, actually blind in many areas—you can start to see how even believers can struggle to run their races well. That was my situation turning 50 and getting punched in the face during the pandemic. Happy to share the details with you sometime, but sum it all to say I became very aware that I was running blind.
By God’s grace, over the last six years I haven’t been as much fearful as I’ve been curious. I began asking questions of elders in my community, interviewing more than 100 people in their late 60s, 70s and 80s and advisors across the country in each realm of wellness – physical, financial, spiritual, relational & mental / emotional. I found opportunities to get trained and certified professionally in the areas where I saw gaps in the marketplace and began working jointly with pros who were already doing great work. Along the way, through lots of prayer and support, I was encouraged to trademark and launch what we came to call the Second-Half HeroTM Campaign, an aspirational effort to recognize elders that inspire us, record their stories and encourage the next generation to become more curious about navigating their second half.
Among some of the fruit of the campaign so far is the creation of the only quick-reference guide or checklist that I know... available and designed to shine some light on navigating our second half, aligned with how research shows most people would like to finish.
Along one’s second-half journey, we hope and pray that our work will help more people discover that life is not about them or their glory. Although very natural, scripture and human history tells us that is not the way. The true stars that are shining among us, the heroes in our communities that inspire us with how to live and finish, are examples of consistently doing what is unnatural. Many of them know why and for whom they were born and everything else flows from this understanding. They aren’t perfect of course, but they stir us to run our races well.
If you’re not already curious or walking this journey with a small group in your own community, I invite you to join me and others as we ask more questions and do the good work of finishing well.
Best,
-Brett
What is a Second-Half Hero?
A Second-Half Hero is not someone seeking personal glory for running his or her race well. Rather, a Second-Half Hero lives for the glory of another and, by grace, discovers some or even much of the truly abundant life.
These everyday heroes are the true stars of our day, as described in Philippians 2:14–15.
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life."
INVITATION
Get curious if you’re not already.
Phase 1 - Review the Handbook and let me know if there’s an area or two where you’d like more information.
Lean in, and get honest.
Phase 2 - If you’re like most, you’re running at a pace that’s working for you, it's comfortable, you have some support, but chances are you have some blind spots where you could do life or run your race more efficiently. You may have a CPA, a primary doctor, a personal trainer, a financial advisor, and/or a counselor that you work with for advice. Uncommon, however, is if you’re fortunate to have a team that is working together, like a board of advisors, to optimize your situation comprehensively.
Inside the second-half campaign, you’ll uncover more clarity and live with more confidence to the degree you're curious and open to feedback. And, you can expect two outcomes as you engage with the process we've developed. Either you'll get confirmation that you're on the right track or you'll discover one or two things that you haven't considered and you'll be able to really optimize. That's it!
I'm excited for you to get a chance to meet the Resource Providers that are coming together in each realm of wellness. They are committed to working with any existing advisors you have, ask questions that may never have been asked and level up the accountability and coordination, if needed, for the race you’re running. Frankly, this is where I’ve seen eyes open, optimization occur and real impact from our work.
There's no charge to start a conversation and share what you'd like your second-half to look like. It would be an honor to be helpful in some way to you and / or your household. Simply reach out or hop in via the survey below.
THIS ISN'T COACHING.
It's confessing you may not have all the answers.
