The Firetrucks are Parked

Stardate 07.04.2026

Happy 250th birthday, America.

Two hundred fifty years sounds like a remarkable number, even to a 66-year-old. When you look back through history, though, there have been civilizations that endured for thousands of years. We still have much to learn, and I believe that's a good thing. As for me, I'm committed to learning every day until the Lord calls me home.

Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge the people who have stood beside me through life's difficult seasons.

Life has a way of handing us lemons when we're hoping for something sweeter. These days I'm learning to eat less of the sweet stuff in favor of foods that strengthen my health. That small change reminds me of another lesson. The challenges we face are easier to carry when loving people walk beside us.

If you are one of those special people in my life, thank you. Your encouragement, patience, prayers, and kindness have carried me farther than you probably realize.

Today's reflection seems fitting for Independence Day because it centers on firetrucks.

A wise person once explained that our brains send out the firetrucks whenever they sense danger. Looking back over my sixty-six years, I realize my brain has dispatched those trucks so often that they almost became my daily mode of transportation.

When you've lived through enough difficult experiences, your mind can have trouble recognizing when the emergency has passed. The alarms keep sounding long after the smoke has cleared.

That is something I'm learning to change.

I'm learning to park the firetrucks.

I'm learning to quiet the alarms.

I'm learning that peace can become my normal setting.

Real fires do happen. Life guarantees that much. Yet most days aren't emergencies, even when my mind briefly tells me otherwise.

Each day I remind myself that I am safe. When genuine trouble arrives, I don't need to mobilize an entire army inside my head. I can begin with a simple prayer.

I can trust the One who created me.

Prayer doesn't always remove the fire. It does remind me that I never face it alone. God's presence brings a calm that fear cannot manufacture for itself.

One verse has stayed with me through many anxious moments:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." — John 14:27

As I celebrate another birthday and another Independence Day, I find myself grateful for a quieter mind than I once had. There is still work to do, and that's perfectly all right. One day at a time, one prayer at a time, I'm discovering that the firetrucks spend more time parked than racing down the street.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Captain, it appears the emergency response system is functioning within normal parameters."

Bones: "That's because the Captain finally figured out every blinking light doesn't mean the ship's about to explode."

Michael: "Maybe wisdom arrives when we learn which alarms deserve our attention and which ones can simply grow quiet. I'm grateful that God continues teaching me the difference."

---

Mission Log

May we keep learning, keep growing, and keep trusting the One who walks beside us through every season.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today.

May you live long, prosper in purpose, and rest in God's peace. 🖖 

City Hall Invited to Pickleball Ground Breaking

Stardate 07.03.2026

Yesterday brought two unexpected conversations about pickleball, and both left me encouraged.

The first was with a pickleball board member from Linn County. Their community built ten outdoor courts, and the response has been overwhelming. The courts are so well used that they're already looking at adding lights so people can continue playing into the evening. Hearing stories like that reminds me how quickly a shared vision can grow when a community embraces it.

Later in the day, I crossed paths with Williamsburg's city manager, Aaron. I asked if he had received his invitation to our groundbreaking ceremony on July 15 at the Williamsburg Recreation Center, where our four outdoor courts will soon begin taking shape.

He smiled and said he would be there, along with members of City Hall.

I thanked him for helping spread the word when the city included information about our project with residents' water bills. That simple act helped introduce our vision to people throughout the community.

When we first approached the city, there simply weren't funds available to help build the courts. Even so, they encouraged our efforts after the committee was formed and found meaningful ways to support the project. Community partnerships often grow one conversation at a time, and I'm grateful for everyone who has helped move this dream forward.

There is still plenty of work ahead before the courts are complete, but every step brings us a little closer. My family has come to love pickleball, and it brings me great joy to know future families will have a place to gather, laugh, compete, and make memories together.

If you happen to be in the Williamsburg area on July 15, we'd love to have you stop by the groundbreaking ceremony and celebrate with the community.

Helen and I won't be there that day because we'll be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary out of state. It's a happy scheduling conflict, and we'll be cheering everyone on from afar. We look forward to joining the fun once the courts are finished and the games begin.

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, seems every time your crew builds something, more people want to come aboard."

Spock: "A predictable outcome, Doctor. Communities tend to gather where people invest their time with generosity."

Captain Michael: Every project I've been privileged to help with has reminded me that lasting things are rarely built by one person. They take neighbors, volunteers, encouragement, and patience. I'm grateful to play a small part in something that I hope will serve Williamsburg for many years to come.

Mission Log: Building courts is only part of the journey. Building community is the greater reward.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today. I hope you find opportunities to encourage someone in your own community this week. Until next time, live long, prosper, and walk boldly in God's love.

Ground Breaking Ceremony Ahead

Stardate 07.02.2026

It's happening.

This is something we've been working toward for quite a while. When the city told us there wasn't funding available to help build outdoor pickleball courts, our community didn't let that become the end of the story. People rolled up their sleeves, opened their hearts, and opened their pocketbooks. Little by little, the vision became reality.

Now it's time to break ground on four outdoor pickleball courts at the Williamsburg Rec Center, right next door to our home.

Helen and I will be on another adventure when the ceremony takes place. By a wonderful twist of timing, we'll be celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary on the very same day the first shovel goes into the ground back in Williamsburg. Before we enjoy our anniversary dinner, I promised the pickleball committee we'd raise our glasses and offer a toast to everyone who helped make this day possible.

Some dreams belong to one person. Others belong to an entire community.

This one belongs to Williamsburg.

I'm grateful for every volunteer, every donor, every encouraging conversation, and every person who believed this project was worth pursuing. I tip my hat to the committee that stayed the course through months of planning, fundraising, and countless meetings. Their steady commitment helped carry this project across the finish line.

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

As I picture those first games being played, I can already imagine the laughter, friendly competition, new friendships, and memories that will be made on those courts for years to come. That's a wonderful legacy for a community to leave behind.

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Well, Captain, I suppose all those committee meetings were good for something after all."

Spock: "The evidence is compelling, Doctor. Consistent effort by many individuals has produced a highly favorable outcome."

Michael: "Every worthwhile journey seems to begin with a single step and continues because people decide to keep walking together. I'm thankful to be part of a community that did exactly that."

---

Mission Log

Live long. Prosper in purpose. Encourage someone today.

Thank you, Williamsburg. Your generosity will serve generations yet to come. 🖖

Sardine Score: 36–2 in the Latest Food Experiment

Stardate 07.01.2026

Eating sardines nearly every day when you really don't like sardines is, well... a bit fishy.

I'm all in for 90 days.

Today's update comes as I approach the halfway point, just 12 days away. My international network of biohackers may be surprised when I present my final report at our gathering in London after the experiment concludes. Whether the results exceed my expectations or simply answer a few good questions, I'll be grateful to have real data to share.

My head is still spinning as I sort through the lessons from my previous food experiments. Each one has challenged assumptions I carried for years and encouraged me to pay closer attention to how my own body responds. That has become far more valuable to me than chasing the latest headline or trend.

One thing is certain. My daily menu looks very different from what it did just a few years ago. The changes didn't happen overnight. They came one small decision at a time, one experiment after another. Each adjustment taught me something, even when the lesson wasn't what I expected.

The bigger picture has very little to do with sardines.

This experiment is training my brain as much as my body. Every time I open another can, I have an opportunity to choose purpose over preference. That isn't always enjoyable, and it certainly isn't glamorous. Growth rarely asks for our permission before inviting us outside our comfort zone.

The encouraging part is that my brain is beginning to cooperate. Habits that once felt difficult are becoming more familiar. I still don't wake up craving sardines, but I no longer spend much energy resisting them. That quiet shift may be one of the most meaningful results of the entire experiment.

In a few weeks, the blood work will tell part of the story. Until then, I'll keep showing up, one can at a time.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, one more can of sardines and I may need stronger air filtration in Sickbay."

Spock: "An acceptable inconvenience, Doctor. Scientific curiosity has often required temporary sacrifices."

Michael: Every worthwhile journey seems to include a few uncomfortable steps. Mine just happens to smell like sardines. If the experiment helps me understand my health a little better, every can has been worth opening.

Mission Log: Progress is rarely dramatic. More often, it arrives quietly through ordinary choices repeated with intention.

Thank you for following along on this adventure. I hope it encourages you to keep exploring, keep learning, and keep becoming one percent better each day.

🖖

Heat Index is on Red Alert

Stardate 06.30.2026

Mother Nature is on another rant here in the Midwest. The heat index is expected to reach 104° today. That kind of weather has a way of changing plans. Many people will wisely choose the comfort of air conditioning and wait for cooler days.

My tennis teammates see something different.

Tomorrow, we'll be stepping onto the indoor courts to prepare for a pair of upcoming sectional tournaments. The rain won't be joining us, but the heat and humidity certainly will. Those conditions are part of the challenge, and eventually they'll become part of the competition.

There isn't much we can do about the weather. We can only decide how we'll respond to it.

I've always admired people who quietly prepare for difficult days before they arrive. They don't complain much. They lace up their shoes, bring plenty of water, encourage the people around them, and get to work.

That's the kind of team I'm grateful to be part of.

Our practice tomorrow probably won't be anyone's idea of perfect tennis weather. There will be plenty of sweat, a few tired legs, and more water breaks than usual. Every hour spent adapting now makes the next challenge feel a little more familiar.

Life has a way of presenting its own heat indexes. Sometimes the pressure comes through work. Sometimes it arrives in relationships, finances, or health. We don't always get to choose the conditions, but we can choose to meet them with steady hearts and a willingness to keep moving forward.

One percent better.

That small improvement has carried me through many seasons. It doesn't require dramatic change. It simply asks us to keep showing up, even when the forecast isn't ideal.

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

If you happen to live where Mother Nature is feeling especially energetic today, please take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water. Find some shade when you can. Look after those around you, especially anyone who may be more vulnerable to the heat.

The weather will eventually change.

Our character is shaped by how we live while we're waiting for it.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, this heat would make a Vulcan ask for a fan."

Spock: "Doctor, preparation often requires temporary discomfort. The data strongly supports hydration."

Captain Michael: Every season offers its own training ground. Some lessons arrive in comfort, others in the middle of a heat wave. Either way, I'm thankful for teammates who keep showing up together.

Mission Log: Live long. Keep growing. Encourage someone beside you. Even on the hottest days, hope travels well.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and may you live long and prosper. 🖖

Mulligans Visit PinSocial

Stardate 06.29.2026

Our youngest son made us promise we wouldn't tell anyone at PinSocial that we were celebrating his birthday during our first visit there yesterday. We kept our promise, but I can still tell you what a wonderful experience it was.

Golf has always been a sport I passed by. I chose to spend most of my free time on the tennis courts. Golf seemed like a game that required countless hours to master, and I decided my time was better invested elsewhere.

When our son said this was how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, I was happy to give it a try.

Our visit to PinSocial ended up lasting an extra hour because we were having so much fun. Somewhere along the way I discovered that all those years of playing tennis had given me a head start with a golf club. My swing felt surprisingly natural.

That experience gave my brain a new message to process.

I can become one percent better at golf every time I swing a club.

That thought replaced an old one I had carried for years: Mulligans don't belong on a golf course. For those who may not know the term, a mulligan is simply a do-over after a poor shot. The irony wasn't lost on me that a Mulligan was finally enjoying a golf course.

Our son even captured a video of me taking a few swings. Much to my surprise, I actually performed better using a right-handed driver. I never would have guessed that before yesterday.

It turned into one of those family memories that will stay with me for a long time. Even with a heat index of 95 degrees, none of us seemed to notice. We were simply enjoying being together.

Sometimes all it takes is saying yes to something new. You may discover that experiences from another season of your life have prepared you in ways you never expected.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." — Proverbs 16:3

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Captain, prior experience often transfers more effectively than expected. Skills have a tendency to travel with us."

Bones: "I just know you looked like you were having the time of your life. That's good medicine."

Captain Michael: Yesterday reminded me that growth doesn't always begin from scratch. Sometimes it begins by discovering that yesterday's practice quietly prepared us for today's adventure.

Mission Log: Every new experience carries the possibility of uncovering a gift that has been waiting patiently beneath the surface.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today. May you live long and prosper. 🖖

Down But Not Out

Stardate 06.28.2026

It was a big day on the University of Iowa indoor tennis courts yesterday.

Our men's 40+ team squared off against a talented and experienced opponent from the Des Moines area. After an afternoon of competitive matches, the score stood tied at 2-2. When all the tiebreakers were calculated, we came up just short.

Congratulations to our opponents on earning the state championship. They played well and deserved the victory.

The story doesn't end there.

Our team was awarded a wild card berth into the upcoming sectional tournament. To create a balanced tournament for all seven qualifying teams, we will be placed in a separate pool during the opening stage of competition. The road ahead may look a little different than we expected, but we're still on it.

Our team captain has been through postseason tennis many times before. Experience has a way of bringing calm after a difficult day, and I have a feeling he's already putting together a game plan for sectionals. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of this group. If my number is called, I'll be ready to contribute however I can.

Yesterday reminded me that a single result doesn't define an entire season. Sometimes a closed door quietly opens another one.

The apostle Paul understood that kind of perseverance. He wrote:

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair."
— 2 Corinthians 4:8

Those words have endured because they speak to every season of life. There are days when the scoreboard doesn't fall in our favor. There are also days when another opportunity arrives before we've had much time to reflect on the last one.

Our team may have taken a tough loss yesterday, but we're still in the tournament.

If I were a betting man, I'd keep an eye on the wild card team.

Stay tuned. It's getting interesting.

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Captain, statistical models often overlook the resolve of a team that has already weathered adversity."

Bones: "I've seen plenty of folks get knocked down, Spock. The dangerous ones are the ones who keep getting back up."

Captain Michael: "Yesterday's match is already behind us. What matters now is how well we prepare for the next opportunity. Sometimes the next chapter begins with a wild card."

Mission Log

Every challenge carries the possibility of another chance. Keep showing up, keep encouraging one another, and trust that today's setback may become tomorrow's story worth telling.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today.

May you live long and prosper.