A Gathering of Angels Appeared Above My Head

 Stardate 08.23.2026

I woke this morning with a line from a song in my head.

It wasn't the entire song. It was one line.

A gathering of angels appeared above my head.

The words come from Come Sail Away by Styx, a band whose music carried me through some challenging years as a teenager. I hadn't been thinking about the song when I went to sleep.

Earlier in the night, I had trouble falling back asleep, so I prayed and meditated. My meditation always ends the same way. I picture myself sending my thoughts to Jesus. When I finished, I drifted back to sleep.

Hours later, I woke with those words.

Then the faces began coming to mind.

Erin was the first.

I dedicated The Adventures of Castaway Wilson to Erin. A few weeks ago, while walking along the Yellow Brick Road during my travels, I saw an oversized statue of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

I stopped and took a picture.

Erin had played Glinda in the first play I saw with our children when they were young. Glinda captivated them. After the performance, they got to meet her backstage.

Seeing Glinda again brought Erin back into my thoughts.

Then I remembered my first doubles partner from the tennis team at Sunnyslope High School. He died of AIDS while attending college. He was far too young.

David came next. He was in a younger class, yet he always made a point of connecting with me whenever I returned to Arizona. David had a gift for seeing people who had passed.

David died of COVID.

His girlfriend later volunteered to help promote my writing to people living in Arizona, where I grew up.

I met her while attending a celebration of life for another classmate. He knew he was dying, but he didn't want to die before throwing a party. He became too sick to attend the final tribute, so we brought the tribute to him. We recorded a live video and honored him during his final time on earth.

Then I thought about Mark.

Mark knew his heart was too large for him to live a long life. His doctors told him there was nothing they could do. He chose to live fully anyway. He became a golf professional in New Mexico, and we stayed in touch.

The day Mark left our neighborhood was a sad day for all of us.

There were aunts and uncles who followed in quick succession. My godmother was among them. She prayed like no other.

Now my godfather is facing health issues of his own. He and my godmother were my parents' closest friends. He was a member of the first wrestling team at Arizona State University. We comforted him when my godmother passed, and he has continued to stay connected with our family.

There are friends in my circle who are battling serious diseases today.

All of these people were somehow gathered in my thoughts this morning.

And then I remembered the feather.

Not long ago, I was simply walking.

Nothing unusual was happening around me. There was no obvious explanation for what happened next.

A large white feather appeared above me.

It floated gently downward and landed in front of me.

I stopped.

I looked at it.

I still don't know where it came from.

I don't know whether it was simply a feather carried by the wind or something I was meant to notice.

I do know what happened after I saw it.

I thought about the people I loved who were no longer here.

This morning, when those words from Come Sail Away appeared in my mind, I thought about them again.

A gathering of angels appeared above my head.

Maybe that line stayed with me because I have experienced so many departures.

Maybe the feather stayed with me for the same reason.

I don't need to explain either one.

There are things in life I am comfortable leaving in the hands of God.

Today is my last family day at home for a while. Tomorrow I begin another journey.

Before I leave, I find myself thinking about everyone who has helped shape the life I get to live.

Some are sitting around tables and sharing meals.

Some are fighting to stay.

Some exist only in photographs and memories.

Yet their lives continue to influence mine.

My godmother's prayers still come to mind.

Mark's decision to live fully still speaks to me.

David's unusual gift still makes me wonder.

Erin still appears whenever I see Glinda.

And a large white feather still reminds me to look up.

Maybe that's all I was supposed to do.

Look up.

Remember.

Give thanks.

Then keep walking.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones." — Psalm 116:15

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

"Michael," Bones said, "you've been visited by angels, feathers, Glinda, and a song from your teenage years. Are you sure you're getting enough sleep?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Doctor, the Captain has already established that his most interesting experiences occur somewhere between meditation and sleep."

"I still think we should let him enjoy the mystery."

I smiled.

He's right.

Some things are better left unexplained.

Home is Where the Heart is

Stardate: 08.22.2026

I'm home.

God arranged the storms perfectly so I could enjoy great weather during the four-hour drive back to my family.

Yesterday, I watched some rather dangerous weather move around me as I made my way home. Today, there isn't a cloud in the sky.

That seems fitting.

In a few minutes, I'll head out for morning cardio tennis with my friends. This may be the last time I see them before I leave for Europe and an international conference with some of the fittest people in the world who happen to be pursuing longevity.

I'll work on the details of that adventure after tennis.

One of my tennis friends is seeking grants to pursue cancer research at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. We may have an opportunity to connect some dots today and explore whether my blog sponsor might be able to assist her research with a possible grant.

I love when life does that.

A simple morning of tennis can become an opportunity to help someone pursue something much bigger.

Coming home also reminds me how fortunate I am to have a family willing to support the life I'm building.

I've been away for long stretches this year. My day job assignments have taken me away from home and into communities where I've had the privilege of helping teams get ready for new beginnings. My family has supported those adventures. They've even come to visit me while I've been away.

That kind of support doesn't happen by accident.

I don't take it for granted.

Lucy is sitting in the driveway waiting for me to finish another dream.

I started that dream years ago. Now it has wheels, a name and a place in the driveway. There is still work to do before Lucy is ready for the adventures I have imagined.

The retirement clock is ticking.

Three years and ten months to go.

Lucy will be ready.

So will I.

This morning, though, I'm home.

I'm back in my hometown. Big things are happening here, too. Volunteers are giving their time and energy to make our community one of the best places to live in America.

I see the same thing everywhere I go.

People showing up.

People giving their time.

People helping build something they may never personally own.

Maybe that's part of what home means.

It is the place where people care enough to show up.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you've been traveling all over the place and now you're calling a driveway full of unfinished projects home."

Spock: "An accurate observation, Doctor. The Captain appears to have discovered that home is a state of connection rather than a fixed coordinate."

Bones: "Don't get carried away, Spock. He's just happy to be home."

I think Bones may have this one.

I'm happy to be home.

I'm grateful for the people who make home possible. I'm grateful for friends who open unexpected doors. I'm grateful for volunteers who care about their community. I'm grateful for a dream sitting in my driveway, reminding me that there is still plenty of life ahead.

Today, my heart is home.

Live long and prosper.

While One Chapter Is Still Being Written

 Stardate: 08.21.2026

I am beginning to pack.

That's usually a pretty good sign that an adventure is coming to an end.

For the past several weeks, this has been my temporary home. I've lived in a hotel, worked with a new team, helped open a new location, met people I didn't know, and collected memories I couldn't have planned.

Today, I begin the journey home.

I still have work to do before I leave. The assignment isn't quite finished.

But the ending is close enough that I can feel it.

That has me thinking about how often life works this way.

We can be fully engaged in one chapter while quietly preparing for the next.

I've experienced that throughout this assignment.

When I arrived, there was a new building to open and a new team to help develop. There were people to meet, questions to answer, problems to solve, and a goal to accomplish.

Now I look around and see people who are more confident than they were when I arrived.

That's one of the most satisfying parts of the work.

Eventually, the people you've been helping don't need quite as much help.

That's the goal.

A good teacher works toward becoming unnecessary.

A good leader builds people who can carry the work forward.

Eventually, you have to let them do it.

That doesn't make leaving easy.

It makes leaving meaningful.

I'm looking forward to going home.

I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, playing cardio tennis, spending time with family, and worshiping with the people who have been part of my life long before this particular adventure began.

I'm also grateful for the temporary life I've lived here.

Temporary doesn't mean unimportant.

A hotel room can become home for a while.

A coworker can become a friend.

A short assignment can become an adventure.

A few weeks can create memories that last much longer.

We don't always get to choose how long a chapter lasts.

We can choose how we live it.

I've tried to live this one fully.

I've worked hard.

I've written.

I've prayed.

I've explored.

I've laughed.

I've learned.

I've tried to leave the people and the place a little better than I found them.

Now it's time to go home.

I know another chapter is waiting.

I don't need to tell you what it is.

Maybe I don't need to know every detail myself.

I've become more comfortable with that.

Faith has taught me that I don't have to see the entire road to take the next step.

Sometimes I simply need to be faithful with the road I'm on.

Today, that road leads home.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” — Psalm 37:23

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Captain's Addendum

“Michael, I believe the Captain has finally begun packing,” Spock said.

“About time,” Bones replied. “I've been wondering when he'd figure out this assignment was temporary.”

Spock raised an eyebrow. “He appears to have understood that several weeks ago, Bones.”

“Then maybe somebody should remind him to check out on time.”

I smiled.

There is something fitting about ending this chapter with a suitcase.

It is a simple reminder that we are always carrying something forward.

A lesson.

A friendship.

A memory.

A little more confidence.

A little more faith.

This morning, I am packing those things along with everything else.

The rest can stay behind.

Artisan 179 On the Lake in Pewaukee

Stardate: 08.20.2026

Yesterday, at the end of my shift at my day job, I signed up my last member of the day.

He happened to be a bartender.

We started talking about restaurants in the area, sharing some of our favorites. Before we finished our conversation, he recommended a place I had never visited.

"Have you been to Artisan 179?"

I hadn't.

That was enough for me to make a visit.

After work, I headed to Pewaukee. As soon as I arrived, I was drawn to the view. The restaurant overlooks the lake, and I immediately hoped I could find a seat outside.

The restaurant was full.

I was invited to sit at the bar.

That turned out to be a pretty good seat.

I met Mili, one of the bartenders. She had an accent, so I asked where she was from.

"Argentina."

She handed me a menu, and I decided to take her recommendation: the 16-ounce bone-in Iberico pork chop.

The menu describes Artisan 179 as committed to local, sustainable, and organic practices, with everything prepared in a scratch kitchen and a farm-to-table approach.

While I waited, I met Ted, the managing partner. I told him it was my first visit and that I had come because one of my members recommended the restaurant. I also told him I was a writer and planned to write about my experience because I thought my readers would enjoy it.

He welcomed me warmly.

As the evening continued, the bar became busier. Angela joined Mili behind the bar, and soon I found myself surrounded by people who had become my dining companions for the evening.

There was Tamma. Zeynup was there too, along with Darla, her husband Glenn, and their daughter.

We talked.

We laughed.

At one point, we even posed for some pictures that would become part of today's review.

Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I asked Mili a question that comes naturally to me.

"What is your secret to success?"

Her answer was immediate.

"Teamwork."

That answer stayed with me.

I spend much of my working life building teams at my day job. I've learned to pay attention to the little things that reveal whether a team is working well. People communicate. They help each other. They handle pressure together. They make room for someone who is new.

I saw those things happening around me last night.

The food arrived, and Mili's recommendation was excellent. The Iberico pork chop was everything I hoped it would be.

Then Ted surprised me with dessert.

The dessert was a sachet, a box made out of chocolate with all kinds of sweet delights inside.

I offered to share it with my new friends.

They politely declined.

So I enjoyed it myself.

Before I left, I promised Ted that I would have the story written today.

That promise brought me back to the experience this morning.

A member I had met only minutes earlier sent me somewhere I had never been.

Mili welcomed me at the bar.

Ted made me feel at home.

Angela joined the team.

A group of people I had never met became my dinner companions.

And somewhere in the middle of the evening, one word connected the restaurant experience to something I have spent years learning myself.

Teamwork.

It matters wherever people gather to do something together.

Last night, I got to see it from the other side of the bar.

And I got a pretty memorable pork chop and dessert along the way.

Scripture says:

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."
— Ecclesiastes 4:9

I'm grateful for the member who made the recommendation.

I'm grateful for Mili, Angela, Ted, and the people who shared the bar with me.

I'm grateful for an unexpected evening that turned into a story worth telling.

Sometimes a good recommendation takes you somewhere you didn't know you needed to go.

Join me here:

Substack — Michael Mulligan

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you realize you went to a restaurant to write a review and ended up asking the bartender about teamwork."

Spock: "Doctor, Michael has a pattern."

Bones: "Of course he does. Give him a team and he'll start asking about their goals before dessert."

That made me smile.

They may have a point.

I've spent enough years working with people to recognize the feeling of a team that works well together.

Last night, I felt it.

And I got a pretty memorable dessert, too.

I'm grateful for the people who keep teaching me, sometimes without knowing they are doing it.

One percent better.

One good conversation at a time.

Live long and prosper.

Make the Reservation

 Stardate: 08.19.2026

Yesterday morning, I made a reservation for dinner.

The weather forecast wasn't encouraging. Storms were expected, and there was some question about whether our date night would happen as planned.

I made the reservation anyway.

This restaurant is popular, especially on Tuesday nights when they feature steak and lobster. I knew waiting until the last minute could leave us without a table.

By evening, the storm had arrived.

Fortunately, we were already inside.

The warnings came over the restaurant's PA system while we sat at our table overlooking the lake. Outside, the weather was doing its thing. Inside, we were having dinner.

We both ordered the steak and lobster.

It was out of this world.

We've had some wonderful experiences during my time away from home. This was our best dining experience so far.

There was something special about sitting there together while the storm moved through.

Today, my wife heads home.

I'll finish the assignment on my own and return to my family on Friday.

The next few days will bring their own questions. I don't know exactly what the schedule will look like after I get home. There is a possibility I could leave Monday morning for the next assignment. That decision is still being worked out.

I've become comfortable with some uncertainty.

Yesterday was a good reminder.

I made a reservation without knowing what the weather would bring.

The storm came.

We had dinner anyway.

Maybe that is one of the small lessons life keeps offering us.

We can spend a lot of time waiting for the conditions to be perfect before making a decision. Sometimes the reservation simply needs to be made.

Then we show up.

I think there is something faithful about that.

Scripture says:

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
— Proverbs 16:3

I don't know what the weather will bring tomorrow.

I know where I am today.

That is enough.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, I have to admit. Making a reservation during a storm warning sounds a little optimistic."

Spock: "Actually, Doctor, the reservation was made before the storm. The Captain demonstrated reasonable foresight."

Bones: "Well, Spock, I suppose that settles it. Steak and lobster under a storm watch. Somehow Michael always finds a way."

Maybe that's the trick.

We don't get to choose the weather.

We can choose whether to make the reservation.

And sometimes the best memories are waiting for us on the other side of that decision.

I'm grateful for last night.

I'm grateful for the time together.

And I'm grateful for whatever comes next.

Live long and prosper.

The People We Meet Along the Way

 Stardate: 08.18.2026

I came to Oconomowoc with a job to do.

I was part of a team preparing a new store for its grand opening. There were goals to reach, problems to solve, details to polish, and a team to support.

I knew the assignment would eventually end.

I didn't know how many people would become part of my story along the way.

That's one of the gifts of traveling away from home. We enter a place knowing very few people. Then the days begin to fill with conversations, shared work, laughter, challenges, and small moments that weren't on the schedule.

Somewhere along the way, people become friends.

Sometimes they become family.

One of those relationships began with a concerned neighbor.

Peter came to me with concerns about the new store. I listened. As we talked, I discovered his concerns were legitimate. We addressed them, and he was satisfied with the solutions.

Then Peter stopped by during the ribbon cutting.

While we were outside, I had the opportunity to share part of his family's story with him and others. His wife's family had arrived here generations ago aboard a ship named the Lyon.

There was another part of their family story that touched me deeply.

When Peter was diagnosed with lymphoma, his granddaughter, Hannah, prayed for his healing.

Hannah is seven years old now.

I asked Peter to carry a prayer from me to Hannah.

I asked her to pray for the community of Oconomowoc. My prayer was that the new store would be a blessing to the people who live here and that we would serve the needs of the community well.

That moment will stay with me.

So will the people I have worked beside these past few weeks.

The teammates who showed up each day.

The conversations between tasks.

The people who helped me when I needed help.

The people I was able to help.

The laughter that made long days easier.

The shared purpose that brought us together.

I have about 28 hours remaining on this assignment.

The work now is final polishing with the team and making sure they are ready to carry things forward. There will also be goodbyes.

Some of these people will become lifetime family.

I already know I will return to Oconomowoc with my family someday. When I do, I'll see more than a building where we opened a new store.

I'll remember the people.

I think that is one of the beautiful things about the journeys God gives us.

We often begin with a destination in mind.

Then people appear along the way.

They become part of our lives through circumstances we never planned. A conversation. A shared assignment. A concern brought to our attention. A story about a little girl named Hannah who prayed for her grandfather.

We keep walking.

And somehow, the journey becomes richer because they were there.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I have been encouraged by the people I've met here.

I hope I've encouraged a few of them, too.

Perhaps that's enough.

We don't always know what our presence means to another person. We may never know which conversation mattered or which small act of kindness someone carried home with them.

We can still choose to show up.

We can still listen.

We can still serve.

We can still be open to the people God places along our path.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you're getting sentimental again."

Spock: "The evidence suggests he has developed emotional attachments to his colleagues."

Bones: "Spock, they're called friends."

Spock: "I am aware of the distinction, Doctor."

There are people I met in Oconomowoc who I expect will remain part of my life long after this assignment is finished.

That wasn't part of the plan I carried with me when I arrived.

I'm grateful it happened.

Live long and prosper.

— Michael

The Joy of Expanding

 Stardate: 08.17.2026

I find myself learning something new almost every day.

Sometimes the lesson is small. I've been picking up a word or two in Spanish. I've learned a different way to approach a difficult situation. I've watched someone on a new team handle a problem and thought, I hadn't considered that.

I've been on assignment for several weeks now, working with people I didn't know when I arrived.

That has put me outside my comfort zone.

I've noticed something during these weeks.

I learn faster when I'm there.

There is a certain alertness that comes with unfamiliar surroundings. I pay closer attention. I ask more questions. I watch how people respond. I adjust.

Two intense days have just passed. I slept well last night, and this morning I can feel the difference. I have five days remaining before I head home for four days of rest.

Then I begin again.

A new assignment. A new team. Another opportunity to learn.

I'm beginning to appreciate these cycles.

There is another lesson appearing alongside all of this.

For a long time, I have returned to the Serenity Prayer when change became difficult for me. I needed the serenity to accept what I couldn't change, the courage to change what I could, and the wisdom to know the difference.

The words have stayed the same.

My understanding of them has changed.

I'm finding myself in situations where I can influence change from a position I once believed was outside my control.

That has been a wonderful discovery.

I think about the people I've been training during this assignment. When I arrived, I was increasing. I was learning the environment and building relationships.

Now I'm watching them increase.

That is a good feeling.

Soon I will leave, and they will continue what we started.

Then I'll travel home and spend four days with my wife before heading out again.

These travels have given us glimpses of another part of our future, too. Retirement is four years away. Every assignment gives us another little preview of what life might look like when work no longer determines where we need to be.

We're learning along the way.

We're paying attention to what we enjoy. We're discovering what gives us energy. We're seeing places and having experiences we might never have encountered if we stayed entirely within familiar routines.

I can make adjustments now.

That may be one of the greatest gifts of having four years to prepare.

I don't have to wait until retirement to learn how I want to live.

I can learn today.

I can try something new today.

I can step into an unfamiliar situation and see what it teaches me.

Paul wrote:

"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

— Romans 12:2

That verse has taken on new meaning for me.

Renewal can happen in very ordinary places.

It can happen in a conversation.

It can happen on a new team.

It can happen when a difficult situation doesn't unfold the way I expected.

It can happen when I discover that I have more influence than I thought I had.

I'm beginning to see continuous learning as part of the journey itself.

Every day gives us something to notice.

Every person can teach us something.

Every unfamiliar situation gives us another opportunity to grow.

And sometimes, when we pay attention, we discover that the boundaries we thought were fixed have moved.

That is where I find myself today.

Still learning.

Still growing.

Still discovering what's possible.

And grateful for the opportunity.

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you're learning Spanish now? I suppose we'll have to add that to the Captain's growing list of experiments."

Spock: "Doctor, continuous learning appears to be producing measurable expansion. I see no logical reason to discourage it."

Bones: "Just make sure he remembers to rest between missions."

Spock and Bones may have a point.

Five days from now I'll be home for four days. Then I'll head out again and begin building another team.

For now, I'm grateful for this season and for the lessons it continues to reveal.

One day at a time. One percent better.

Captain’s Handbook

Stardate: 08.16.2026

Three years ago, I needed a template to help me tell a story.

Today, I sometimes forget the template is there.

That may be one of the clearest signs that something has changed.

I have been writing every day for 17 years. Somewhere along the way, that daily practice turned into more than 6,200 blog stories and five self-published books.

That's a lot of repetition.

Every morning, I sit down and try to turn something that happened into something worth sharing. Some days the story is obvious. Other days I have to search for it.

That repetition has built some writing muscle.

When I began working with Alberta three years ago, I already had plenty of experience showing up at the keyboard. What I needed was a better way to shape the experiences I was collecting.

So we developed a framework.

Over time, the framework became more detailed. We learned what worked. We learned what didn't. We learned which phrases sounded like me and which ones didn't. We learned how much explanation a story needed and when an observation could simply stand on its own.

Eventually, the framework became Version 8.

Locked.

It might sound strange to describe a writing template that way. For me, it represents years of practice.

Something interesting happened along the way.

I stopped needing to think about every rule.

I began to recognize the story.

A conversation could become a story.

A table at a restaurant could become a story.

A storm could become a story.

A commercial during a movie could become a story.

The framework had become part of the way I looked at the world.

That reminds me of something I recently learned from F. Matthias Alexander. His work centered on the way habits shape us, often without our conscious awareness. Repetition creates patterns. With enough practice, those patterns become familiar.

Writing has worked that way for me.

The template gave me structure. Seventeen years of showing up gave me repetition. Three years of refining the craft gave me a better sense of what belongs on the page.

And somewhere along the way, I started noticing that the practice wasn't staying on the page.

The same habit of paying attention shows up during prayer and meditation.

It shows up when I'm working with people.

It shows up in my marriage.

It shows up when I'm traveling and notice something I might have walked past years ago.

Even yesterday, during a difficult workday, I found myself paying attention to what was happening without letting the pressure take over. There were challenges. We were short on people. Everyone was being pushed.

I stayed relaxed.

Then I punched out on time, met my wife in the hotel parking lot, and we went to worship together. We had one of our best dinners of this assignment afterward.

Those moments probably wouldn't have made much impression on me years ago.

Now I notice them.

Maybe that's what all those repetitions have been doing.

The writing has trained me to look.

A person who practices gratitude begins to notice things worth being grateful for.

A person who practices kindness begins to notice opportunities to be kind.

A person who practices prayer begins to notice God in places that might once have gone unnoticed.

The practice shapes the practitioner.

I don't think that means the framework is finished.

Quite the opposite.

I still have the template.

I still have the guardrails.

I still have the mission.

But after 17 years of writing every day, more than 6,200 stories, five books, and three years of refining this particular framework, I find myself trusting my instincts a little more.

The handbook is still on the desk.

I just don't have to look at it every time.

Maybe that's one of the gifts of practicing something for a long time.

Eventually, some of what you practiced begins to travel with you.

Join me here:

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Scripture

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23

Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael, it appears the Captain has been studying his handbook for three years.”

Bones: “Three years? I thought he was writing a blog.”

Spock: “Perhaps those activities are no longer separate.”

Bones: “Now you're getting philosophical, Spock.”

I think Bones may have a point.

The stories have changed because I have changed. The framework helped me get here, but the real work happened through thousands of small moments of paying attention, writing, revising, and trying again.

The same thing may be happening in other parts of my life.

The practice keeps following me.

And tomorrow morning, I'll probably sit down and do it again.

May you live long and prosper.

How to Handle Criticism

Stardate 08.15.2026

I've faced strong opposition over the years when it comes to sharing some of my crazy ideas.

The old version of me would have crawled under a rock, let the critics have their way, and prayed for the courage to accept the things I could not change.

Something has changed.

Lately, I've noticed that a few of those ideas are finding their way into the workplace. I don't claim all the credit. I do recognize the encouragement of one respected leader who challenged me to stop looking only at things as they are and imagine what they could become.

That simple shift in perspective has made a lasting impact on me.

Recently, I watched a video of Steve Jobs handling a tough question from a vocal critic during a live presentation. He paused, took a drink of water, and calmly acknowledged that parts of the criticism were valid.

Then came the teaching moment.

Jobs explained that when Apple designs products, they begin with the customer experience and work backward toward the technology. The philosophy helped create products that generated billions of dollars in annual revenue.

What impressed me most wasn't the business success.

It was the composure.

He listened.

He acknowledged.

He taught.

That lesson immediately reminded me of what we're trying to accomplish at my day job. The best solutions begin with understanding the people we're trying to serve.

Criticism will always be part of life. Sometimes it's unfair. Sometimes it's painfully accurate.

Wisdom is learning the difference.

I'm still learning not to fear criticism. I want to become the kind of person who can pause, listen carefully, find the truth hidden inside disagreement, and keep moving forward without losing my peace.

Perhaps that is one of the most valuable skills we can develop during uncertain times.

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
— Proverbs 12:15

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: “Michael, you actually listened to your critics?”

Spock: “An encouraging sign of personal development, Doctor.”

Bones: “I was going to say maturity.”

Spock: “Your optimism is noted.”

I've learned that criticism doesn't have to determine my direction. Sometimes it can help me see something I missed.

I'm still learning to pause.

I'm still learning to listen.

And I'm grateful for the people willing to challenge me along the way.

May you live long and prosper.

What Are We Allowing to Shape Us?

Stardate: 08.14.2026

I gave up television.

That may sound like a small decision. For me, it created something I needed.

It created time.

Over the past several years, morning prayer and meditation have become an important part of my day. I wake naturally, spend time in prayer, sit quietly, and give myself space to listen before the day begins.

That habit has changed me.

I have become more aware of what I allow into my mind. I pay more attention to the thoughts I repeat, the voices I listen to, and the habits that shape the way I spend my time.

Television rarely enters that equation anymore, especially when I am traveling.

Last week, I was in a hotel room with my wife, and we decided to watch a movie. It had been a while since I had sat through a movie with television commercials.

I noticed something I had forgotten.

The commercials.

They kept coming.

One after another, messages were placed in front of us.

Buy this. Try that. Eat this. Look younger. Drive this. Take this. Upgrade that.

Most of the time, we probably don't think much about them. We have become accustomed to the interruptions.

Sitting there that evening, I realized how much noise I had removed from my life by simply removing television from my daily routine.

I don't believe every advertisement is harmful. I do believe repeated messages have an influence. When we hear something often enough, it can begin to feel familiar. Familiar things can begin to feel normal. Eventually, they can influence what we want without us stopping to ask why.

That brought me back to something I recently read from F. Matthias Alexander:

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”

That thought has been sitting with me.

A habit seems small when we practice it once. Its influence comes through repetition.

Prayer each morning may seem like a small habit.

Meditation may seem like a small habit.

Turning off the television may seem like a small habit.

Yet these choices change what has access to my attention.

The same principle works in the other direction. The things we repeatedly watch, hear, consume, and think about can shape us too.

Jesus said:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

— Proverbs 4:23

I have plenty of things competing for my attention every day. I have become more intentional about what I invite into that space.

Morning prayer and meditation have given me a place to begin.

The quiet has become valuable.

The time has become valuable.

And I am grateful for the habits that are slowly becoming part of who I am.

Maybe that is worth considering today.

What are you doing every day that is quietly shaping your future?

What have you allowed into your life simply because it has always been there?

Join me here:

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May you live long and prosper.

Captain’s Addendum

Spock: “Michael, you have eliminated television and replaced it with meditation.”

Bones: “And now you're writing about commercials.”

Spock: “Perhaps the Captain has discovered that removing one habit creates room for another.”

Bones: “Just don't tell him to give up the movies, Spock.”

I am grateful for the quiet I have created in my own life. It gives me room to begin each day choosing what gets my attention.

Captain’s Note

“Our calling is not to write perfect words, but to reveal perfect grace through imperfect moments—one percent better, one day at a time.” 

 

The Night My Body Said Thank You

 Stardate: 08.13.2026

I woke up this morning feeling great.

That might not sound like much of a story, but when you pay attention to your sleep, sometimes the numbers get your attention.

Last night was one of those nights.

I recorded 7 hours and 29 minutes of actual sleep.

Deep sleep: 1 hour and 41 minutes.

REM sleep: 1 hour and 33 minutes.

I was awake for 1 hour and 1 minute, with a sleep latency of 23 minutes.

My sleep score was 73.

That last number caught my attention because 73 doesn't sound like an extraordinary score.

Yet I feel great.

Yesterday was a day off from my assignment away from home, and I spent it with my wife.

We went to Lake Michigan and found ourselves in a place that felt almost dreamlike.

It was foggy.

I couldn't see very far across the water, but I could hear the small waves rolling onto the shore.

There was something peaceful about being unable to see the horizon.

It felt like living inside a dream.

During our walk, I told my wife about something that happened a couple of days earlier.

A large white feather, probably 12 inches long, had floated down from the sky and landed ahead of me as I walked.

She told me she had heard there can be spiritual significance associated with finding a white feather.

I don't know exactly what the feather meant.

I do know how it made me feel.

Peaceful.

That sense of peace stayed with me through the day.

By 7:23 that evening, I was tired.

So I went to bed.

I listened to my body.

This morning, the numbers gave me something to consider.

My body gave me something else.

I've become increasingly interested in the science of healthspan and longevity. I'm tracking my sleep. I've experimented with nutrition. I've had a DEXA scan. I've been learning more about biological age and the things we can do to understand our health as we grow older.

DoNotAge has been part of that journey as my international blog sponsor.

Disclosure: DoNotAge sponsors my blog, and I receive a stipend when readers use my code LLAP. I want you to know that connection whenever I mention them or share my code.

If you're interested in learning more about DoNotAge, you can visit their website here:

DoNotAge

And if you choose to use my code, it's LLAP.

That's the commercial part of today's Health Update. The rest is simply me sharing what happened.

There is another chapter coming soon.

At the end of September, I'll travel to London for an international gathering of longevity doctors and researchers. I'll have the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and learn from people who spend their lives studying many of the things that have become increasingly interesting to me.

I'm curious about what I'll learn.

I'm even more curious about what questions I'll bring home.

For today, though, I'm grateful for a foggy day at Lake Michigan, small waves rolling onto the shore, a mysterious white feather, an early bedtime, and a night of sleep that left me feeling great.

Perhaps Psalm 46:10 says it best:

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

Yesterday gave me plenty of stillness.

Maybe that's part of why I slept so well.

Join me here:

Michael Mulligan on Substack

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you're going to London to talk with longevity doctors, and you're analyzing your sleep numbers before breakfast?"

Spock: "An accurate observation, Doctor. The Captain appears to be gathering data."

Bones: "I just hope he remembers to enjoy the journey."

And perhaps that's the reminder I needed this morning.

Pay attention.

Keep learning.

Listen when the body says it's tired.

And when the day gives you a quiet beach, a little fog, and a moment of peace, stay there long enough to notice it.

Live long and prosper.

The View from Below

 Stardate: 08.12.2026

Last Friday, I woke up early.

My shift wasn't scheduled to begin for another five hours, but I wanted to witness the grand opening.

Other teammates wanted to be there too. I invited the manager from my hotel, and she showed up and stood alongside me. Adria, the pickleball pro I had invited, arrived just as the ribbon cutting was happening.

Peter and Laura, people I had met only days earlier, walked over from their home across the street to see what was happening.

There was a buzz in the air.

The ribbon was cut.

I was standing outside the building when it happened. The doors were rolled down, so I couldn't see what was happening inside the vestibule. I knew the mayor and senior managers were inside. I knew Tyler was welcoming our first members.

I couldn't see any of it.

Yet I felt like I was witnessing something extraordinary.

I was surrounded by people who had become new friends during my assignment. We had gathered together because we wanted to be there for the moment.

Four days later, yesterday, my wife and I went to the movies.

We watched The Odyssey.

During the movie, I heard a line that stayed with me:

“To have the best view, one must look from below.”

I carried those words out of the theater.

This morning, during Golden Hour, I began to understand why.

My assignment has reminded me of something about leadership.

I'm not a boss.

I don't have a title.

I'm the servant.

I'm called upon to guide the team and develop them. I get to watch people grow. I get to help people find their way. I get to witness what happens when people come together and become a team.

I thrive on this.

I love being the witness.

Standing outside those closed doors last Friday suddenly feels like part of the lesson.

I didn't need to see the ribbon cutting.

I was there.

I was surrounded by teammates and new friends. People who weren't part of my life when I arrived had gathered around me.

That means something to me.

I've spent much of my life trying to build things. Teams. Relationships. Communities. Something good that can continue after I'm gone.

Maybe this is why serving others feels so natural.

When I'm serving and helping others grow, my flower is blooming.

My part in this universe is shining.

And I know where that comes from.

This is the Hand of God.

I can see His fingerprints in the people I've met. I can see them in the friendships that formed so quickly. I can see them in the invitations that were accepted and the people who showed up.

I can see them in a morning when I had no obligation to be there, yet something inside me told me to wake up and go.

There I stood.

Outside.

Below.

Watching a new chapter begin.

And somehow, I had one of the best views.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
— Mark 10:43

That verse feels different when you are living it.

I don't need to understand every assignment.

I just need to be faithful to the one I'm given.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: “Michael, you know, most people would have tried to get inside so they could see the ribbon cutting.”

Spock: “Indeed, Doctor. Our Captain appears to have discovered that perspective does not always require physical proximity.”

Bones: “I still think somebody should have opened the doors.”

Sometimes I think God gives us exactly the view we need.

Friday morning, I couldn't see through those doors.

Today, I can see something I couldn't see then.

My flower is blooming.

And I'm grateful to be here for it.

Table 114

 Stardate: 08.11.2026

Sometimes a restaurant review begins with the food. This one begins with a table.

Last week, my family and I stopped at the Etcetera just before the lunch rush. It was another visit to a place I have come to enjoy, and I already knew it would not be my last.

The Etcetera sits along the lake in Oconomowoc, just north of Madison and off I-94. It is a great place to visit with dogs, and the view from the upper deck is hard to beat.

Molly was our food server, and Vincent also helped make our visit a five-star experience. When Molly asked where we were from, she asked if we knew the Driscoll family.

My wife grinned and asked, “Which Driscoll family?”

It turns out Molly had played volleyball at Drake with someone from our church family. A simple question about where we were from opened a door to a connection none of us expected.

Since we were her first customers of the day, Molly let us choose any table on the upper deck. I picked a corner table overlooking the lake.

“Great choice,” Molly said. “That’s the most popular table in the restaurant.”

I immediately asked for the table number. I was already thinking about sharing the experience with my readers.

Table 114.

The view was beautiful. The food was excellent. I had a mushroom burger that was out of this world.

Molly also noticed our grand dogs. She made sure they had plenty of water and shade while we enjoyed our lunch. Then she took pictures of our experience so we would have memories to keep.

Those little details stayed with me.

Good service can be measured in many ways. Sometimes it is the meal arriving at the right time. Sometimes it is a server remembering the people at the table. Sometimes it is making sure the dogs have water on a warm afternoon.

And sometimes it is discovering that a person you just met has a connection to someone you already know.

Jesus reminded us:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

— Luke 6:31

Molly and Vincent gave our family a memorable afternoon. The food was good, the view was beautiful, and the conversation made the experience personal.

Thank you, Molly and Vincent, for taking such good care of us. We will be telling our friends back home about Table 114 and the experience we had there.

If you find yourself in Oconomowoc, put the Etcetera on your list. And if you visit before Molly heads off to grad school at the end of summer, be sure to say hello.

Join me here:

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May you live long and prosper.

Captain’s Addendum

Spock: “Michael, you selected the most popular table in the restaurant.”

Bones: “And somehow you turned lunch into another story for the log.”

Spock: “The evidence suggests the Captain knew exactly what he was doing.”

There are days when the story finds us while we are simply sitting at a table, enjoying lunch with people we love. I am grateful for those moments.

Captain’s Note

“Our calling is not to write perfect words, but to reveal perfect grace through imperfect moments—one percent better, one day at a time.”

The Storm Was Part of the Lesson

 Stardate: 08.10.2026

My wife and I attended 8 a.m. Mass yesterday morning.

The homily centered on the moment when Jesus sent His followers out onto the water while He remained behind.

A storm developed.

The disciples became frightened. Then they saw Jesus walking on the water. They thought He was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, and Peter responded by stepping out of the boat.

For a moment, Peter walked on the water.

Then he became afraid and began to sink. He called out to Jesus, and Jesus reached down and pulled him from the water.

The priest made a point that stayed with me.

Jesus knew the storm was coming when He sent the disciples onto the water.

We left Mass and headed toward Madison.

A storm was moving through the area.

Lightning lit up the sky as we drove. The flashes were bright enough to turn the dark clouds into silhouettes. We could see the storm around us as we made our way toward my first pickleball lesson with Adria Rushing, the pickleball professional who had visited us during the grand opening on Friday.

I thought about the homily.

We kept driving.

I wasn't afraid. I knew Jesus was with us.

We arrived on time, and the lesson began.

Adria worked with me on the fundamentals. She showed me proper grips, stance, and positioning. Each correction made the game make a little more sense.

I began to understand where my body should be, how I should hold the paddle, and what I should be looking for when the ball came toward me.

By the end of the lesson, I walked away with something I didn't have when I arrived.

Confidence.

I can learn this game.

There is plenty of practice ahead. That makes me smile because I enjoy learning something new.

After the lesson, Adria and I stood beside each other for an interview. We talked about the pickleball project back home, and I had an opportunity to give a shout-out to the committee that has worked so hard to make four outdoor courts possible.

Construction is underway.

I thought about how that project started with an idea. People stepped forward. The idea became a plan. The plan became a project. Now the courts are taking shape.

Eventually, Helen and I headed home.

The storms were still moving through the area. We found a path between them and made it home safely.

The homily from the morning kept coming back to me.

The storm was already there when we left Mass.

So was Jesus.

We kept going.

Peter's story stayed with me throughout the day. The storm didn't need to disappear for the journey to continue. There was still a next step to take.

Yesterday, my next step happened to be onto a pickleball court.

Tomorrow, it will be something else.

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
— Matthew 14:27

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: “Michael appears to have discovered that storms can accompany recreational activities.”

Bones: “And somehow, Spock, he managed to turn a pickleball lesson into a spiritual lesson.”

Spock: “The evidence suggests the Captain is becoming quite efficient at this.”

I smiled when I thought about the day.

The storm was part of the journey.

So was the lesson.

 I am grateful for the worship, the time with Helen, the lesson with Adria, the conversation about pickleball, the people building those courts back home, and the safe trip through the storms.

I have a pickleball paddle purchased from my day job, some things to practice, and another day ahead.

That is enough for now.

The Patron Saint of Grocers

 Stardate: 08.09.2026

Sometimes a day begins with a simple recommendation.

Yesterday, several locals told me about a tower in a park near my hotel. They knew the area and said I should go take a look.

So I did.

On the way to the park, I met a couple who added another recommendation.

"Make sure you visit Holy Hill after you finish here."

I tucked that away and continued toward the tower.

I climbed to the top, took some photos, and then made my way back down.

The park had been worth the visit.

Now it was time to follow the second recommendation.

We drove to Holy Hill, where the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception stands above the surrounding countryside. The basilica honors Mary, the mother of Jesus.

I climbed the 178 steps to the top.

One step at a time.

At the top, I took more photos and enjoyed the view before making my way back down.

Then we stopped inside the basilica gift shop.

That's where I found the card.

It told the story of St. Michael the Archangel.

I turned it over and started reading.

Then I saw something I had never known.

St. Michael is the patron saint of grocers.

I stopped.

Seriously?

My name is Michael.

I work in the grocery business.

I am currently away from home helping open a new warehouse.

And yesterday, while visiting a basilica dedicated to Mary, I discovered that St. Michael the Archangel has traditionally been associated with grocers.

I had never heard this before.

The discovery sent me down a little historical rabbit hole.

The connection reaches back centuries. Medieval grocers dealt with valuable commodities that had to be measured carefully. Scales were part of their trade, and St. Michael is traditionally depicted carrying scales along with his sword.

The old merchant guilds also carried responsibilities involving honest trade, quality and service to their communities.

Suddenly, this wasn't just an interesting piece of history.

It was personal.

I had gone to a park because locals recommended a tower.

Along the way, I met a couple who recommended Holy Hill.

I climbed the tower.

Then I climbed 178 steps to the top of the basilica.

I took photos.

I came back down.

And in the gift shop, I happened to pick up a card that introduced me to a connection between St. Michael and the grocery business that I had somehow missed for 66 years.

I don't know what to make of that.

Maybe it was simply an interesting coincidence.

Maybe there is something more to it.

I'm comfortable leaving that question open.

I've learned to pay attention to these moments.

They don't always arrive with an announcement.

Sometimes they are waiting on the back of a card in a gift shop.

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." — Psalm 91:11

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: "Michael, the probability of discovering your patron saint in a basilica gift shop after climbing 178 steps is intriguing."

Bones: "Spock, Michael doesn't need a probability. He needs to enjoy the discovery."

I think Bones has the right idea.

Yesterday gave me something I didn't know I was looking for.

A new piece of history.

A connection to my own name.

And one more reason to keep paying attention to the little things that happen along the journey.

I'm grateful for the discovery.

And I'm smiling at the thought that somewhere along the way, Michael the grocer may have finally met St. Michael the Archangel.

The Remedy Is a Walk in the Woods

 Stardate: 08.08.2026

Yesterday, we cut the ribbon.

The opening was successful. The work that had occupied so much of my attention for weeks reached an important milestone. There were people to meet, problems to solve, teams to encourage, and a thousand little details that needed attention.

Today is different.

I woke up knowing I had nowhere I needed to be.

Helen and I shared a quiet breakfast together. There was no rush to get somewhere. No schedule pulling us toward the next responsibility. We simply sat together and enjoyed the morning.

Outside, the sky is clear. The temperature is ideal for being outdoors, and there is a gentle breeze moving through the trees.

We are going hiking.

After weeks of living at a fast pace, walking the trails feels like exactly what we need.

There is something about walking that gives the mind room to settle. The body gets moving. Conversation happens naturally. Sometimes there are stretches of silence. You notice the trees. You notice the sky. You notice the people walking beside you.

Today, that person is my wife.

I have spent a lot of time during this assignment thinking about teams, leadership, responsibility and the people God has placed in my path. Those things matter deeply to me.

So does this.

There are seasons when the work demands our attention. There are also moments when the wisest thing we can do is step away from the work and allow ourselves to recover.

Jesus understood the need for rest.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
— Mark 6:31

Those words feel particularly appropriate this morning.

The trail is waiting.

The country around us is beautiful, and we have the opportunity to slow down long enough to enjoy it. Helen and I don't need a complicated plan. We need some time together, fresh air and a good walk.

Sometimes the remedy is that simple.

Yesterday was about opening a new chapter for a team.

Today feels like opening a little space in my own life.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, the evidence suggests that walking may be an effective recovery protocol.

Bones: For once, Spock, you don't need evidence. Just go take the walk.

Spock: Agreed. And Michael, perhaps today you should allow the Captain to enjoy the scenery.

There are plenty of days ahead for the mission.

For today, I'm grateful for a quiet breakfast with Helen, a clear sky, a little breeze and a trail waiting for us.

That is enough.

And maybe that is the point.

Live long and prosper. 🖖

The Ribbon

 Stardate: 08.07.2026

This morning, they cut the ribbon.

I was there.

I wasn't on the clock. I'm working the closing shift today, so I had the opportunity to stand outside the building and watch the moment as an observer.

The new employees were shining.

There was an energy around the building that was easy to feel. People were smiling. The doors were ready. The work that so many people had poured into this opening had finally reached its first morning.

Then I looked around and realized I wasn't standing there alone.

Some of the neighbors who had stood with me outside the building during those early days were there for the ribbon cutting. Standing beside me was the pickleball professional I had invited to attend. The manager from the hotel where I've been staying was there too.

People from different parts of this little chapter of my life had somehow gathered at the same place at the same time.

Then the ribbon was cut.

Just like that, the building became a store.

I stood there and watched the new employees begin their journey.

There is something special about watching people step into a new opportunity. They don't know everything yet. They don't have all the answers. They don't need to.

They just need to begin.

Afterward, I went back to the hotel and arrived around the end of breakfast hours. Emily offered to make me eggs and sausage.

I said yes.

There I was, sitting down to a simple breakfast after witnessing the opening of something that had occupied so much of my attention for weeks.

Eggs.

Sausage.

A ribbon.

A group of new employees beginning something together.

A few neighbors who had become familiar faces.

A pickleball friend.

A hotel manager.

A morning that somehow brought all of these pieces together.

I've spent a lot of time during this assignment thinking about leadership, teams, relationships, and the work that happens behind the scenes. This morning reminded me that eventually there comes a moment when you simply get to stand back and watch.

The doors open.

People walk in.

The team takes over.

And you give thanks.

I think there is wisdom in knowing when to step forward and when to simply witness what God has allowed to grow.

"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

Proverbs 16:3

The ribbon is cut.

The work continues.

And for a little while this morning, I got to stand outside and watch a new team begin.

Now it's time for a little rest in the jacuzzi before tonight's closing shift.

I have a feeling the new employees are going to be just fine.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Michael, you spent weeks helping prepare for this day, and now you're sitting in a jacuzzi."

Spock: "A logical transition, Doctor. Even starships require maintenance."

Bones: "Just make sure our Captain remembers to eat something before reporting for the night shift."

Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is pause long enough to appreciate what has already happened.

The ribbon is cut.

The team is ready.

And I'm grateful I got to be there.

The Circle Keeps Growing

 Stardate: 08.06.2026

Golden Hour arrived a little later today.

Our schedule shifted because tonight is a special evening celebrating the opening of a new building. I'll spend part of the night serving cake while many of our newest employees have the opportunity to meet senior leaders. I find myself looking forward to watching those conversations unfold.

As I prayed this morning, my thoughts settled on the Serenity Prayer.

For many years, one line carried me through difficult seasons.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change..."

That prayer brought peace when life felt uncertain. There were seasons when accepting what I couldn't control was exactly what I needed to learn.

This morning another part of the prayer quietly found its way into my heart.

"The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Over time, I have discovered that my ability to influence others has grown in ways I never expected.

A conversation.

An encouraging word.

An idea shared with the right person.

Helping a new employee feel welcomed on the first day.

Teaching a company culture that has blessed my own life.

None of those moments seem particularly significant by themselves.

Years later, they begin to form a pattern.

Stephen Covey often wrote about focusing our energy on the things within our circle of influence. I understand that idea a little differently today than I did years ago. My circle hasn't grown because of a title. It has grown because God has entrusted me with more opportunities to serve faithfully.

That realization brings a quiet responsibility.

Every conversation matters.

Every person matters.

Every ordinary day carries the possibility of encouraging someone who may one day encourage thousands more.

I don't know what tonight will bring.

I simply hope to be present, grateful, and ready for whatever conversations God places in front of me.

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

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Thank you for walking this journey with me. I hope you discover that your own circle of influence may be larger than you realize.

Captain's Addendum

Spock: Michael, influence appears to expand in direct proportion to consistent acts of service.

Bones: I was going to say people trust the fellow who keeps showing up and helping. Sometimes science and common sense arrive at the same destination.

Michael: Today reminded me that wisdom isn't measured by how much control we have. It often grows one faithful conversation at a time.