Welcome to the One of a Kind podcast, the show where we explore the stories we tell ourselves and the moments that got us here.I'm Nisi Duran, and I hope today's conversation gives you something to smile about.
This is the October Nisi Thoughts episode, and I'm still figuring out what this is going to look like.Earlier this month, I released an episode with my friend Parker Joe, like a cup of coffee is the way he said to say his last name, Joe.
I actually recorded that episode last year, but I waited to release it for a number of reasons.
And it was really wonderful and also surreal to go back in time almost a year ago when I recorded it to see the types of questions that I asked him and what our conversations look like.
And I was really taken aback on all of the things that he is doing in his life to ensure that he can find sources of joy and really lean into that.And so I thought I would talk about some of the things that spark joy for me and
ways that maybe I could be leaning into that even further.So the first thing that comes to mind for me is, of course, my babies.I have a seven-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son, and they're currently playing soccer.
And this last weekend, my son scored five goals.I was not there because I was celebrating a very good friend's milestone birthday all day on Saturday. But when I congratulated my son, he looked at me and said, I wanted to score eight.
I scored five, but I wanted to score eight.And the way that he said that for me was a signal that playing in this team sport environment is currently bringing him joy.There's something really lovely about feeling accomplished.
And I'm so glad that he was able to already find something that he wants to embrace and get better at.
And it also is a reminder, right, that I'm going to be missing some of the moments that bring my children joy, because that's just the reality of life, right?But I'm happy that they're able to do that, even when I'm not there.
So one of my children, that's, you know, a story about my son, Leo, and A story about my daughter is she has recently really embraced reading and it is so wonderful to see.
Growing up I used to always carry two books with me in my bag, one that I was currently reading and a second one as a backup just in case I finished the first book.
And so to see her starting to carry these chapter books with her everywhere we go is taking me back to my childhood and makes me feel so happy that she's able to embrace creativity and imagination and focus on something that's outside of herself, because I think it will also help her learn more about herself, which is a beautiful thing.
But as part of her reading, she's gotten really into jokes. And one of the jokes that we shared in a recent dinner was the following, which I want to share with all of you.Why did the pony ask for water?Because she was a little horse.
I really like that joke.But my kids are really embracing laughter and playing with the words and double meanings.And it's funny to see their brains developing in that way.So number one, my kids definitely bring me joy.
Number two, I would say I've been getting a lot of joy lately out of my friendships, which is something that I've always prioritized.But in this current phase of life, I've really tried to invest even more deeply there.
And both in terms of how I'm spending my time and also what I'm learning from these different friendships.
I've said it before on the podcast, I think there's something so special and beautiful in finding people in different phases of your life that can see deeply into your soul and that choose to love you and support you and stick with you as you're growing.
and learning more about yourself.And even though your family will love you forever, and you can always count on them if you're lucky, if you're fortunate, right?
There's something different and deeper in a different way where people that kind of aren't stuck with you keep choosing you over and over again, especially during the challenging times.So, I've really been enjoying my friendship.
Some of the reasons I didn't attend my son's soccer game this past weekend was because I was celebrating my friend Nicole's 40th birthday.Happy birthday to my friend Nicole.
I've known her since middle school when she was playing on the soccer team that was our biggest rival. She was a badass midfielder and was always scoring goals.And I looked up to her and was also afraid of her.
And what I would say about Nicole is that she truly understands what brings her joy and she spends her time in that appropriate way to capture that.
And I think I've learned a lot from her in terms of what it means to be a devoted daughter, a devoted mother, and a devoted friend.
And I aspire to make sure that my actions and the way that I spend my time matches up with my values, as well as she's been able to do that for herself.So definitely my friends are bringing me so much joy.
And I think the last thing that I'll share, let's see how long this episode is.I'm not sure.It might still be another short one because I'm still getting used to this format.
I would say I've been getting a lot of joy, but also pain and heartache from being a baseball fan.So for those of you that follow playoff baseball, the San Diego Padres advanced to, I don't remember even which round it's called, but
Is it the second round is the third round?There is a name for it.And you baseball fans can educate me.But essentially, it set up this incredible situation where we were playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
And for anyone that's from San Diego, you know that if you're from San Diego, you don't like LA.
I can sit here and say all of the reasons why LA quote-unquote sucks, but we also know that it's a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because it is a bigger city with more resources and we feel like the forgotten, you know, stepchild down here in San Diego.
That being said, I would not trade my San Diego life for an LA life, no offense to any Los Angeles listeners, but the traffic alone would be something I could not manage.
But you know, more importantly, I love being closer to the Mexican border and I love the unique culture that we have here in San Diego, which is a combination of Latino plus skater plus surfer.It is a chill vibe where people really focus on
enjoying their life.And L.A., in my limited experience, there has been much more of a big city feel where people have really big dreams and they're doing whatever they can to accomplish those.So it's a different kind of priority and lifestyle.
So I love San Diego. don't like LA, don't like the Dodgers.And I was able to attend two playoff games, which was magical.And thank you to my brother, John, for allowing me to use those tickets on his behalf. And it was electric, right?
There's nothing like being, for me, there's nothing like being in a live sports setting where you see people that in theory, right, these athletes are living out their dreams.It's also in a team environment, which I really love.
And aside from the actual players, you feel like you're part of something bigger.Like when you're in the audience, you feel like you're part of the team that if you're cheering loudly,
You're making a difference and you're supporting this bigger cause and hopefully getting a win for your city where you can all be proud of where you're from and enjoy winning together.It feels really good to win.
And if you don't agree, maybe you've never won before. But, you know, the games that I attended were wonderful games.We won.They were magical.They were incredible.They were electric.
But we ultimately lost the series in a pretty brutal way against the Los Angeles Dodgers.And that's not a good feeling.
And so I guess my takeaway when I'm reflecting on the Parker episode and on just some of the things that bring me joy, it's interesting, right?Because these things that bring you joy can also be the same things that can cause you so much heartache.
And it took me a long time to accept that that's the reality of life, right?Where you need to experience lows to really understand the highs.And for me personally, the way that I live my life is I really embrace those highs.
So it kind of makes sense that the lows might affect me more strongly as well.So.
For anyone out there who is having a high or a low, I would say lean into the joy, figure out what sparks joy in your life and really make a commitment to spending your time in a way that gives opportunity for that more often.
So thank you for listening to my ramblings.And if you have any feedback, let me know.Have a wonderful day. Thank you for listening to the One of a Kind podcast.This show is edited by my brother from the very same mother, Jose Duran.
We have more episodes on the way, so please check us out wherever you get your podcasts.
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