"What are three things I'm proud of having accomplished?"

 

"What is a memory of a trip you took with your partner that still makes you laugh today?"

 

"Something Wonderful..."

This is definitely John. John is a glass half full, positive person. But not only does he believe something wonderful is just around the corner, he also makes wonderful things to come round the corner. He is always setting up future Zoom calls and home date nights and caring notes in pockets and surprise gifts fund raisers for strangers in need and support for those who are down. John doesn’t wait for wonderful things to just happen, he makes wonderful things happen. 

~ Ric

"Let's Run Away..."

 

This note today reminds me just how lucky I am to have Ric in my life. He's always up for whatever random adventure or outing I suggest, and that support means I am free to be wild and creative. He never says no, and that means we are free to be silly and funny and try all kinds of different ideas. Ric is willing to go along for whatever ride and always finds a way to make my plan even better.

For example, tomorrow is our first "Pandemic Lockdown Date Night" and we are going to drink our new Beers of the World while sitting in our own backyard. We'll sample German Dark Lagers, listen to relaxing music, sit under our beautiful lighting, and spend a couple of hours hiding away from the world with just each other. That's a great way for us to run away from everything, even if just for a bit. And I love it.

~ John

"Butterflies and Caterpillars"

If ever there was a saying that described Ric's life since meeting me, this is it. Ric has never really been an extrovert and he really isn't a fan of other people, especially strangers. His circle was always small and he didn't really see the need to bring more people into it. Then he met me, and since then, his life has been one new person after another. And sure, some of them have been caterpillars. (Or worse, mosquitos, sucking everything they can from us before moving on to the next victim. But I digress.) As I was saying, not all of them have been great. But so many have. So many still are. Our lives are infinitely better for the wonderful, loving, amazing friends we have allowed into our lives, and we are forever grateful that they are with us. And Ric continues to balance being an introvert who likes his privacy with being a grand and gracious host welcoming his ever-expanding tribe. 

~ John

"Being Nice Makes You Cool"

I completely disagree with this statement that "Being Nice Makes You Cool.” The definition of “nice” according to Websters is “pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory.” This seems very blah, middle of the road, whatever, to me.  To me, blah is not cool. John Hulsey is not a “blah.” John is passionate, overtly loving, truth driven, compassionate, and action based. Does that sound like “blah” to you? John is cool because of his loving, caring, truthful, over the top good deeds and selflessness, not because he is “satisfactory.” 

~ Ric

"Anything but not Everything"

John can do anything. He can motivate people for good, run marathons, organize people’s financial lives, write blogs, teach classes, organize, lead and mentor. But do not ask him to drag a line under the spider filled crawl space under the house, bake a quiche, build a shed, re-wire a circuit or fix an engine. That is not in his wheelhouse. He could figure out who to hire to do those things and budget for it. Cooking and construction, it’s not something he is willing to take on. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and choosing to excel at one’s strengths rather than use valuable time to fumble on weaknesses is smart. 

~ Ric

"Unravel Your Mind"

 

I think this is a very hard thing for John to do. He keeps so many irons in the fire. I think the way he unravels is through Zoom calls with friends and on Facebook. John is very social and that both lets him unburden his mind with friends but also takes on more knowing what friends are going through. I think he unwinds by sharing collectively and being shared with. It’s a very delicate balance. I get concerned when he backs away from those outlets because then he holds things in. 

 I also think John uses music to release or work through feelings. When he is sad he listens to sad songs and when he is happy he listens to fun music to enhance his feeling so he can deal with and make sense of what he is feeling. That is why I feel good when he is humming or singing with a song because I know he is connected in a good place. 

~ Ric

"You are more capable..."

 

Ric grew up in an environment that never encouraged his greatness, and that absence of support created the feeling that he just wasn't someone who would do great things. What a shame that message was, and what a horrible thing to believe. For more than twenty years now, I have watched as Ric repeatedly rises up to meet any challenge. He really is capable of so much more than he knows, and I'll gladly spend the rest of my life working to make sure he knows that.

~ John

"Each Morning, Born Again"

 

Each day, Ric goes to work in a hospital and is confronted by so much. He helps people often coping with fear and anger as they deal with their medical issues, and he somehow manages to meet those feelings with compassion and empathy. And then he carries that all home with him, quite often sorrow and sadness from the suffering that others are going through. And yet, each morning, he rises anew to face it all again with a warm smile and a kind, open heart. 

Instead of, "ugh, here we go again," Ric meets each morning with, "ok, what can we make happen?" And that strength each day is truly a superpower.

~ John

“Explore the World”

Since March 2020, John has explored every centimeter of the world around him. He has been working from home and stuck at home because of the Pandemic. But he is definitely not letting that stop him from exploring the world on a digital level. He has worked on his blog, made up a Funhouse group on Facebook, organized baby showers and events via Zoom, organized fund-raising events for people in need, and really tried to keep in touch with friends and family. He is exploring the world on a much larger scale for sure these days.

- Ric

"What can you do to improve the listening process?"