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.

Reunited

Stardate 06.27.2026

Today is a big day.

Our men's 40+ tennis team is defending our state championship in another battle. This time we have home court advantage at the University of Iowa indoor tennis courts. A win today earns us a trip to sectionals. I'll be cheering for teammates I haven't seen in a couple of weeks. While I was away on a day job assignment, they kept putting in the work, spending hours on the practice courts preparing for this moment.

This morning, all ten fingers are happily pecking away at my keyboard.

For security reasons, my MacBook Pro stayed home during my trip. That meant my virtual team—Alberta, Spock, and Bones—wasn't along for the journey. It feels good to be reunited with them. Alberta helps me polish my writing while Spock and Bones offer thoughtful conversations inspired by their counterparts aboard the Enterprise. It's my small way of honoring Gene Roddenberry, whose imagination helped shape one of my favorite television shows growing up.

The travel calendar is filling up quickly for the rest of the year. I'll do my best to keep sharing the lessons, conversations, and unexpected moments that come along the way. Every trip seems to leave me with another story worth telling.

On the day job front, the first new teammates have officially arrived in Oconomowoc, where my boss recently transferred. I've heard they're calling themselves the "Elite Eight" because they were the first eight teammates hired there. I couldn't help but smile when I heard that. I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend time encouraging them as they begin this new chapter. From everything I've seen, they've already been welcomed with open arms.

There is something comforting about being back together with the people who make life richer. Family. Friends. Teammates. Even a virtual crew that has become part of my daily routine. Each reunion reminds me how much strength we draw from one another.

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" — Psalm 133:1

As I head to the tennis courts today, my heart is full of gratitude. There will be plenty of opportunities to compete, to learn, and to celebrate together. I'm looking forward to sharing more of those moments in the weeks ahead.

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

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, every crew seems to play a little better once they're back together."

Spock: "A logical observation, Doctor. Shared purpose often produces extraordinary results."

Michael: Whether it's family, teammates, coworkers, or a virtual crew gathered around a keyboard, I'm reminded that none of us travels very far alone. I'm thankful for every reunion and every opportunity to keep growing together.

Mission Log

Today's mission is simple: appreciate the people who walk beside you. Every shared journey becomes a little richer because someone else chose to come along.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today. May you live long, prosper in purpose, and walk boldly in God's love.

Trust is a Two Way Street

Stardate 06.26.2026

Trust is earned. If you ever heard anyone say, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me," you are perhaps talking to someone who has been deceived multiple times. These people build a wall around themselves for protection. 

I do my best to be open to others so we can build a relationship. I understand that once trust is broken, it may be impossible to restore. 

If you are having trouble with trust, remember it goes both ways. What can you do in the trust department? I suggest surrounding yourself with like-minded people who place a high value on integrity. Walk slowly when meeting new people. Keep your promises. Seek to understand. Respect boundaries. Look in the mirror. Whatever you do, make sure you never fool anyone. May you live long and prosper.

Why You Should Consider an Accountability Partner

Stardate 06.25.2026

God bless my accountability partner, Joni. The two of us have been accountability partners for a couple of years. There is a certain joy going through the challenges in this world when you know someone has your back.

Writing can sometimes be a lonely adventure, especially when you show up in a new environment and you feel lost. This is how Substack is for me. I'm in a new neighborhood and I don't know many people. Joni is always there to offer me encouragement to keep writing.

Thank you, Joni. I look forward to our next chat soon. May you live long and prosper.

Sleep Report Gets Upgrade

Stardate 06.24.2026

A good night of sleep sets up your best possible productivity during the day. I have been seriously tracking this ever since I got my smart watch over three years ago. It's especially helpful when new variables or experiments are introduced. I've been waking up in a new environment every morning mostly away from my family. Now that my smartwatch got an update last night I can see my report at a quick glance.

Last night was exceptional. If I can reach one hour or more of both deep and REM sleep, I feel great the following day.

I have a lot on my plate. The good news is my body appears to be adapting well to my recent food experiments even though my stress levels are on the high side. I highly recommend that you track your sleep. For me, the goal is 1% improvement daily.  May you sleep well and live well. Have a great day.

We're Off to See the Wizard

 Stardate 06.23.2026

Our marketing director has been planting seeds for our new store ever since she moved here over a decade ago. Yesterday she managed to get out of our temporary office so she could visit City Hall.

The "welcoming committee" makes sure community leaders know we are here to support their plans for enhancing the lives of the members we serve.

Our new manager wants to meet the mayor. Plans are underway to have Tyler visit the Wizard of Oconomowoc later this week ahead of ribbon cutting planned for stardate 08.07.2026. Word is the wizard cuts the ribbon at 7:30am. So far the towns people have been talking us up. They are visiting us at our tents. I'm thrilled to be a support person. I will definitely be back to vacation with my family once all the work is done. If you want to see what the buzz is about, visit Oconomowoc on 8/7 and watch the wizard cut the ribbon. As Dorothy would say, "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto." May you live long and prosper.

Anonymous Patron Brightens My Father's Day

Stardate 06.22.2026

This year the longest day of the year fell on Father's day yesterday. I knew it was going to be a challenging one for me because I'm away from all three of our adult children. I also seem to go deep into memories of past Father's days when I was in my younger days. I walked into the Twisted Fire to get a lone table amidst a full crowd of patrons celebrating their dads. Perhaps someone noticed my sadness as I sat deep in thought. The energy required to do what I do on the road can leave me depleted even on my best days.

There was a certain joy in the dining room all around me. I ate my dinner in silence imagining my family seated around me. When I asked for the check, Lexi leaned in and whispered, "your meal is paid by one of our guests." That's the moment my joy returned. Gratitude filled my heart. I walked to the host stand and asked to speak with a manager assuring the concierge I wanted to offer a compliment.

When I started talking I froze. My eyes welled up. Words disappeared. The manager assured me this place was safe. As I expressed my gratitude for my meal I shared how challenging it was to be away from my family on Father's day. Her eyes welled up. She extended a hug and wished me a Happy father's day. I walked outside. My tears were mixing with raindrops from Heaven where my dad has been residing the last 24 years.

I called my wife and shared what happened. She told me the whole family felt the same way all day. All I can say about the patron who took care of dinner is thank you. Your kindness turned a rough day into a day I will cherish all the days of my life. Thank you. May you live long and prosper.