When Rick was on my show, I could feel this same energy… the sense that life keeps handing him absurd invitations and he keeps RSVP’ing with enthusiasm and a helmet.
Thanks Paul. Yes, sometimes I do. And there are so many moments when I also hide in the corner. The need for some vigilance in the effort to just say yes never ends.
Rick, I loved this. My husband was a huge fan of the Ernest movies growing up, so that reveal made me smile. But what really struck me (as it always does with your essays) is the sense that we’re uncovering yet another life you’ve lived.
As someone who grew up incredibly shy and cautious, I wholeheartedly agree with you: the serendipity that comes from saying yes to unexpected opportunities really can’t be overstated. Life has taken me down some surprising paths this way too, including the way I found my way to WriteHearted through that same quiet, intuitive yes (though admittedly less daring than running on a bass drum!). Thank you for this reminder that our most meaningful stories are often hiding in the moments we once thought were ordinary.
Thank you Rachel. The quiet, intuitive yes. For people like us, there's no better variety. That's really fun your husband was an Ernest fan. There were lots of them. God bless Jim Varney.
no other movie stunt work, just the things I tried in my street shows. the real stunt men we're doing some crazy things. The had a hydrolic machine on set that threw bodies across space
This nails something that gets lost in alot of career advice - the best oppurtunities usually come packaged as something that looks slightly ridiculous or underwhelming at first. That production assistant's card being your entry point is perfect. I've seen this pattern play out in tech startups too where the founders who said yes to the weird side project ended up building the thing that mattered.
Rick, this is amazing. I can’t believe this is how this scene came together. Makes me wonder at what point productions moved past full practical effects for a stunt like this. Great message with the “just say yes” message, some irony in there as Hollywood used to be much better at that than it is now.
Yes, there's no turning back the clock, though in so many ways I'd love to. For some reason your mention of Hollywood demonstrating
"just say yes" reminded me of the documentary about Jim Carrey - Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond about his portrayal of Andy Kaufman. There are so many examples of actors creating extraordinary performances based on this principle of full commitment.
First off, Rick, that clip is hilarious *and* we get to see your remarkable athletic skills. How you skipped over those flying linebackers' arms while on that bass drum is beyond comprehension.
And I'm glad I "just said yes" to joining Write Hearted, since, as you know, I was one of those folks who thought he had no stories to tell. Whoo-boy, was I ever wrong.
I suppose that every time we go with "just say yes," to a given situation or decision, we're actually "just saying yes" to life in general. And that's not a bad way to live.
Priceless.... the experience, the telling of it, and the mantra, just say, "Yes."
Reminds me of an exercise we often invite clients to play with: "What story are you creating today?"
That should be a required daily question for leadership of any kind.
What a story!!! What a mantra! I would have loved to see you do that stunt.
Congratulations as well on 150 posts. 🎉🎉🥳
Thank you Dana. It's so fun to have stumbled on this old clip in my archives and to get to see it in a distant time. I'll keep the stories coming.
Ditto to this!
thanks Henny
When Rick was on my show, I could feel this same energy… the sense that life keeps handing him absurd invitations and he keeps RSVP’ing with enthusiasm and a helmet.
By the way, your invitation to your show and our conversation came with similar mood. I knew from the beginning we were going to have fun. Here's a link if anyone's interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn1TeTTrawI&list=PL9rxlAu7AIGtC1AIiYaVZUJVihV4qO48n&index=3
So, yeah, I wonder how many of our Substack family know that I give away lots of cash.
Yes. The orphan who won that million dollar prize draw sure was happy.
ha ha. enthusiasm and a helmet. what a combo image for how we ought to be meeting life. thank you
Roll out the barrel….”know what I mean?”. You have great stories because you just say yes and put yourself out there.
Thanks Paul. Yes, sometimes I do. And there are so many moments when I also hide in the corner. The need for some vigilance in the effort to just say yes never ends.
Rick, I loved this. My husband was a huge fan of the Ernest movies growing up, so that reveal made me smile. But what really struck me (as it always does with your essays) is the sense that we’re uncovering yet another life you’ve lived.
As someone who grew up incredibly shy and cautious, I wholeheartedly agree with you: the serendipity that comes from saying yes to unexpected opportunities really can’t be overstated. Life has taken me down some surprising paths this way too, including the way I found my way to WriteHearted through that same quiet, intuitive yes (though admittedly less daring than running on a bass drum!). Thank you for this reminder that our most meaningful stories are often hiding in the moments we once thought were ordinary.
Thank you Rachel. The quiet, intuitive yes. For people like us, there's no better variety. That's really fun your husband was an Ernest fan. There were lots of them. God bless Jim Varney.
…varney was good one, knowwhatimean vern?…did you do any other stunt work after that?…
no other movie stunt work, just the things I tried in my street shows. the real stunt men we're doing some crazy things. The had a hydrolic machine on set that threw bodies across space
This nails something that gets lost in alot of career advice - the best oppurtunities usually come packaged as something that looks slightly ridiculous or underwhelming at first. That production assistant's card being your entry point is perfect. I've seen this pattern play out in tech startups too where the founders who said yes to the weird side project ended up building the thing that mattered.
: ) Or a lot ridiculous. We all want straight lines to move toward success, but it's more like a permanent experience of detours and weird side trips.
Rick, this is amazing. I can’t believe this is how this scene came together. Makes me wonder at what point productions moved past full practical effects for a stunt like this. Great message with the “just say yes” message, some irony in there as Hollywood used to be much better at that than it is now.
Yes, there's no turning back the clock, though in so many ways I'd love to. For some reason your mention of Hollywood demonstrating
"just say yes" reminded me of the documentary about Jim Carrey - Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond about his portrayal of Andy Kaufman. There are so many examples of actors creating extraordinary performances based on this principle of full commitment.
First off, Rick, that clip is hilarious *and* we get to see your remarkable athletic skills. How you skipped over those flying linebackers' arms while on that bass drum is beyond comprehension.
And I'm glad I "just said yes" to joining Write Hearted, since, as you know, I was one of those folks who thought he had no stories to tell. Whoo-boy, was I ever wrong.
I suppose that every time we go with "just say yes," to a given situation or decision, we're actually "just saying yes" to life in general. And that's not a bad way to live.
Larry, I second the gladness of you saying yes to our group. The depth and insight of your own storytelling was just waiting for the right environment to find its legs. Case in point. https://thepositivepessimist.substack.com/p/the-gag-family-photo
Thank you, kind sir!
What!! I totally remember this scene
No way. For real? You remember this movie and the scene?
I never saw the movie, but I definitely remember seeing this scene. It must have been a trailer or commercial.
What a fun story! 😂
Thanks for the judge to make stories and tell them!
Glad you got a kick out of it Liz. Thank you for saying so.
Thank you Mo.