The (Still) Birth of Cool

As I grow older, I find myself more and more fond of sharing unsolicited advice. Today’s lesson is about accepting the fact that you can’t always win.

I know it takes a big man to admit he can’t be a playa 100 percent of the time, but fortunately by admitting this, I am also reassuring myself that I am a big man.

Take my street name. It may be hard to believe, but “JP” wasn’t my first choice. But this guy that owns a business in Flushing had already taken my first choice – and he was a lot bigger, smarter, and richer than I was.

So what could I do? Well, first I cried and cried, feeling sorry for myself and verbally abusing anyone that tried to console me. (That last part is what hydrologists and psychologists call “displacement.”) But after about a week of this, I realized I had to move on, or at least get out of bed. And when I did, I found the strength within me to accept my situation and make the best of it.

I think you know the rest of the story.

(Main St & Roosevelt Av, Flushing)

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