Yesterday morning, Nick put me on the spot at the end of the 0630 workout for parting thoughts at the end of my last workout as a co-leader of #NP_BAL. You would think after three years of standing in front of 100+ people that this would be easy. Yet I don’t do well on the spot, and I’m particularly not good with inspirational words. However, I was pretty happy with what came out, which was something along the lines of “if this morning is your first time, if this whole thing makes you feel weird, then keep coming. We don’t do enough of this sort of stuff in our lives, and that’s the stuff that makes for good stories. So find your ‘yes’ people and stick with them.”
None of this was new or groundbreaking, but I meant every word. I meant it for you as much as I meant it for myself. Being a co-leader doesn’t mean you have this whole community thing figured out, or even this whole “human interaction” thing nailed down. I still look at my phone when I’m uncomfortable in a group of people. I don’t strike up a conversation with the security guard at school. I avoid eye contact with men and women asking for money along MLK when I’m at a stop light, when a simple “hello” is arguably the least I could do for them.
But each week, NP challenges me to break out of those habits. As a co-leader, I had to walk up to strangers – big dudes, small girls, small dudes, big girls, three-legged dogs, four-legged dogs, four-legged humans – and open myself up, literally and figuratively (#hipsinhugs). It never got easy, but I learned to get over it. We crave this human interaction, yet do a whole hell of a lot to avoid it whenever possible. And from the very beginning of this whole journey, when a friend I invited over to dinner invited this guy along who I had never met (who, three months later, would ask me to help him co-lead the transition from “Project Morning Mayhem” to “November Project Baltimore”), I’ve had to put aside being uncomfortable and embrace ambiguity.
And honestly, the next three, almost three-and-a-half years have just flown by. The ridiculous and amazing things we have accomplished over that time period are some of my proudest achievements. And let’s be honest, we’ve done some weird shit: from speed dating to #bmore_bmore to #drnhnt to our most recent Survivor spoof, and more. We’ve made fun of ourselves, we’ve made fun of other tribes, and we’ve supported one another through countless races, weddings, births, and deaths. We don’t always get it right, but we sure as shit try our very best.
This tribe is a large part of why I chose to stay in Baltimore for medical school. I knew that having a strong community to support me through these brutal four years would be vital to my success and sanity, and I haven’t been disappointed thus far. And none of you go anywhere, because I’m gonna need you for the next two years as well!
Sydney: Thank you for being a co-leader for three years and my partner-in-crime for almost four (and roommate for one, heyo!). Thank you for the organization that you brought to NP_BAL, the videography and cinematography talent that we totally abused, and the fierce competitiveness you brought – and still bring – to workouts and races. More importantly, thank you for continuing to deal with me as a co-leader for the past few months as you took a step back and Bryson stepped up. It’s brought its fair share of challenges, but you’ve worked through them masterfully. Your support, in NP and in life, keeps a smile on my face.
Bryson: Thank you for bringing a new fire to this tribe that we were slowly starting to lose sight of. Thank you for your near incoherent emails, your never-ending workout ideas, and your unrelenting enthusiasm for NP and for life in general. I’m excited to see how you continue to shape this tribe for a long time to come!
Nick: I am forever grateful that you introduced me to the world of November Project. I’m so fucking thankful that this world is so small and that we crossed paths almost four years ago. Our friendship has kept me rooted here in Baltimore, and your incessant drive to improve this city, your hometown, in every way possible is an inspiration. Most days I look at you and don’t know how you do it, but you attack everything with all you’ve got. I’m proud and honored to call you one of my best friends.
Kaye: Dude, there is not a better person in this tribe to take my place as a co-leader. You know this tribe inside and out (honestly probably better than Nick, Bryson, and I) and you are a role model for just about everyone who has met you. Don’t for a second think that you have any shoes to fill. This is YOUR tribe now, and I cannot wait to see how this thing grows even bigger and better now with you helping steer the ship. I am here for you for any advice I can offer and to listen to you complain about Nick being late to a workout again, but I honestly have no doubt that you’re going to hit the ground running and never look back.
I’ll be around, tribe. You’re stuck with me in this city for at least two more years. I won’t be the face of the group anymore, but I sure as hell will be there to race you on PR Day and for as many hips-in hugs as I can get.
All the love,
Pat
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